Tom Williams Utilizing a futuristic set (design by John Musical) with creepy lighting (by Mike Durist), The Nether becomes a haunting drama that questions responsibility, both individuality and governmental, as to the limits of entertainment in the new tech realities. The Hideaway goes farther than our present violence-oriented virtual games that many are playing too much.
From the beginning, Norma has a somber tone that becomes intense upon the haunting melodies that work with the extreme bel canto attributes to create a romantic atmosphere that inevitably leads to tragedy. Norma is a wonderful opera that engages, enchants and entices audiences.
Saturday Night Fever – The Musical has mediocre disco dancing that was both uninspiring a tad mechanical. Usually Drury Lance Theatre’s musicals contain more creative and spirited choreography with stronger dancers. I also had a problem with the female singers who seemed flat or so unlike The Bee Gees that it hurt the production.
A Disappearing Number uses mathematics as a framing devise for storytelling. Told in a series of face-paced vignettes that move around in time and place, this love letter to numbers blends math mysticism with personal relationships as well as a story about two giants of math in the 20th century.
While playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins has much smartly biting dialogue that satirizes the millennial’s he overs writes several long monologues. The long speeches quickly turn into “playwright-speak”since individuals simply don’t talk in long rages, especially when others patiently listen awaiting their chance to respond. What is said is a blustering attack their office atmosphere that these privileged find boring. The negativity suppressed the rage that they feel.
Diamond Dogs is set in the 26th century with a team of human scientists and soldiers as they investigate a mysterious alien tower that seems to brutally punish all intruders. These characters must uncover clues and solve puzzles in order to solve the mystery. Each character will make dangerous sacrifices to get to the top of the tower.
Played on the fabulous two apartment set (designed by Linda Buchanon). Pearl Cleage’s wonderful script, Blues for an Alabama Sky, is staged with dramatic panache by director Ron OJ Parson. We meet the creatives in Harlem as they struggle during the start of the Great Depression as the Black Renaissance erodes the accumulated affluence of the 1920’s.
Filled with low-key committed political activists with roots in the American Communist Party, the Mattachine Society emerged as a group of gay men lead by the intense Harry Hay and his loyal lover Rudi Gernreich. Hay’s recruitment initially for the Communist Party became la rights forum for the four gay men. These activists realized that their movement was more about protecting the rights of’ oppressed minorities, i.e. homosexuals than a political movement
As the 75 minute drama unfolds, we see Will Allan sinking in to hatred that becomes rage as things happen to his father. This performance was honest and heartfelt. Allan demonstrates his depth as an actor as he moves from cute, humorous memories of his youth to the self loathing and rage-filled reaction to his father’s demise. Circumference Of A Squirrel’s only reason to be mounted is to show off Will Allan’s acting chops.
Pride’s Priscilla: Queen of the Desert -the musical is a sweet, energetic and superbly danced, sung and acted musical long on heart and peopled by empathetic characters. Filled with stunning show-stopping dance numbers by the creatively innovating choreographer Jon Martinez with a peppy orchestra lead by Robert Ollis,