Tom Williams Naomi Lizuka’s play, Concerning Strange Devices From The Distant West, is a puzzle of a play designed as a triptych that unfolds as a three-panel structure as if being seen form a camera’s lens. This drama is a provocative examination of the American fascination with the exotic and distant Far East (here Japan)
Marriott’s lead artistic director, Aaron Thielen and Marc Robin (who holds 16 jeff Awards), both enthusiast lovers of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s music , conceived and created a most stunning and artistically stylish music revue. With a cast of 19, this ALW review has much dance including naturalistic movement and ballet styled dance to instrumental renditions of ALW music.
Played out on a stunning Palm Springs art-deco home set (designed by Thomas Lynch), Ron Robin Baitz’s Other Desert City is a family drama filled with politics that becomes an embroiled debate between the conservative ex-film star father, Lyman Wyeth (Chelcie Ross), now an ambassador with close Republican Party roots and his ultra-conservative wife, Polly (Deanna Dunagan) and their New York liberal writer daughter, Brooke (Tracy Michelle Arnold).
The acting is disciplined and fully internalized. Steve Haggard is charming as Jasper; Michael Finely is the shy, tentative introvert struggling to have friends and find his place in the world. Without giving away much more, let me state that Evan and J.K. form a special bond based on mutual respect and genuine friendship
A Grand Night For Singing is the perfect choice to launch a run of originally produced Broadway musicals at the Mercury Theater. It is a stylish revue of the amazing songbook of Rodgers and Hammerstein conceived by Walter Bobbie in 1993. It is a romantic songfest that presents the R & H select songs in a new context that highlights romantic relationships.
This is an idea play that will have you debating it long after leaving the theatre. David Hare effectively argues both Tom’s and Kyra’s point of views. Each character’s point of view convinces us until we hear the other’s rebuttal. Ultimately trust decides things but only after a riveting evening of conflicted desires, aspirations, and ideologies. Hare’s brilliant writing is equalized by the expert work by Matt Farabe, Laura Rook, and especially Philip Earl Johnson.
Director Rachel Rockwell’s production of the 1957 classic ode to the folks of Iowa is in good hands . Featuring fabulous 1912 costumes (design by Melissa Torchia), terrific choreography and smooth dancing, The Music Man unfolds as a toe-tapping, family friendly musical comedy. At only $46.90 for the best ticket, audiences will get a full Equity acted and full orchestrated Broadsword musical- at half the price of a Loop tour. The beautiful Paramount Theatre, which seats 1880, allows theatre patrons in the Far Western suburbs to enjoy fine musicals.
We also see how Patricia is torn between her passion for Kyle and her duty as a wife to the vulnerable Teddy. What will she do as Kyle arrives to take her away? While all wait for the airmen to return from their bombing mission, the fear and tension permeates. Director Robin Witt has her dedicated cast fully engaged. Darci Nalepa is wonder as the conflicted soul; while Joe deBettencourt is terrific as the fun-living dashing pilot.
Rivendell theatre Ensemble, a troupe dedicated to producing theatre that is “women’s work” has mounted a funny and quirky comic drama about a group of souls struggling to both fine their sense of purpose and an outlet for their creativity. Filled with contemporary references to the latest fad (designed cupcakes -who knew?), this world premiere by Lisa Dillman tells the story of a middle-aged textbook editor….
Director Ed Rutherford’s unique story theater approach sprinkled with a spirited folk-infused music score together with a hyper-manic performance style by the cast made for a tedious uneven production. The mix of music, puppetry, physicality, and over- acting fueled the complex and confusing parable that quickly became hard to follow