Jacob is so fearful that once he learns that Eli, despite a restraining order, attempted to visit the father in the hospital, he realizes the Eli will attack him at his home. It is only when not if. That news got Jacob to leave his son Josh’s (Johnny Rabe) bar mitzvah before the ceremony was finished.
During this 90 minute one act, we learn loads about Vivian’s work as a scholar specializing in the metaphysical writings of John Dunne, some about the experimental treatment of advanced cancer but little about Vivian’s life. We know she is 50 years old and a touch scholar who demanded much from her students but few hits as to her private life.
I’d advise young folks like I did with my young intern to understand that Hair captured the tribulations of discontent of the 60′s through satire, sarcasm and music utilizing the sheer energy of youngsters in a manner that only live theatre can capture. The show got us stimulated and that is a valid role for the performing arts in a society. My mind was racing back to those wild times when our fears and dreams were threatened with uncertainty. Most of us made little changes that cumulatively changed the world. I believe that Hair stimulated some youngsters to make a difference.
Lost In Yonkers, perhaps the finest family play ever, uses humor and richly developed characters to demonstrate the power of family especially as it becomes a survival place for all to learn to become tough enough to survive. Coming of age as an independent person covers more than just the boys. This heartfelt, humorous, nostalgic drama captures us from the start and keeps us engaged throughout
Motown The Musical tells the story of Berry Gordy whose passion for and instinctual feel for pop R &B musical and his leadership and mentoring skills brought him from ‘want-s-be’ music producer to a major music mogul who changed the flavor of pop music forever! Clifton Oliver plays Gordy as a determined, passionate yet controlling visionary who launched and nurtured fledgling music talents in super-stars. The talented cast of 33 landed the song with high energy.
The retreating exhausted English army is in disarray but the arrogant French and fail to take advantage. Henry, fearful for his army, goes into disguise to assess the morale of his troops. He is uplifted by what he finds and his rousing speech before the Battle of Agincourt (a gem delivered by the fabulous turn from Harry Judge) rallies his troops to victory
After a long series of introductory scenes, we realize these zealous religious ignorant folks are long on bigotry as they naively accept the main premise of the play: that their grandfather, in 1943 had a vision from the Blessed Mother while working in his barbershop that lead to him have a twenty foot statue in front of the show to commemorate and offer hope the poor Buffalo folks
Marra’s book and Steinhagen score suffer from casting that finds few players who can sing. That spells trouble for a musical. True that Joseph Stearns and Vincent Lonergan adequately deliver their clever tunes and Courtney Jones sings her ballads with heart and an adequate voice, but the rest of the cast can’t sing well enough to do justice to Steinhagen’s score.
This refreshingly engrossing and compelling musical contains all the humor, pain and tragedy of the 1922 O’Casey masterpiece, Juno and the Paycock while effectively presenting the music and lyrics of Blitzstein and Stein with a first class cast of actor/singers who add layers of heart and humanity to the story’s emotional range
With all the fine technical features together with a excellent orchestra and a game cast doing an iconic well-know piece, there is no need to add bland new music or lyrics – just trust the material and do it with verve and class. This production, when it does the ‘old material,’ mostly does a fine job making the production worth seeing.