Told with inquire movement, interspersing lighting and Oriental motifs with terrific puppets and elaborate choreography with Asian infused original music (by Andre Pluess) featuring a chamber orchestra with a cello, strings/percussion and flute, The White Snake creates the charming and quaint atmosphere of ancient China ripe for mythical storytelling
The Redtwist Theatre space allowed the audience to become guests in the already cramped apartment, beautifully designed by Joe Schermoly. I can’t imagine this play being nearly as effective in a proscenium auditorium. If you’ve ever wanted to see this show, now is the time to do so. To sincerely experience the brutal realism, it needs to be seen in a small theatre.
David Henry Hwang’s M. Butterfly, is gem of a play. It is a layered love story that covers themes like East verses West culture, men verses women and fantasy love verses reality. Loosely following Madama Butterfly and an actual French case of a diplomat being convicted of falling in love with a Chinese opera star who was a spy, M. Butterfly is a stunning piece of dramatic theatre that has elements of spectacle and sprinklings comedy.
After doing exhaustive research about gilded age social activist Emma Goldman (1869-1940), Roslyn Alexander, the “Grand Dame of Chicago Theatre” returns to the stage to perform a one person show based on her study. Alexander deftly presents The Passion of Emma Goldman in a 90 minute engaging performance wherein she brings Goldman’s life to us.
Vieux Carre is a memory play narrated by The Writer (Ty Olwin), the Tennessee Williams character. He is a young writer from St.Louis who arrives in New Orleans in search of writing material. He has writer’s block since he has little to write about until his new life experiences give him material. His ongoing battle with survival as he becomes destitute affects his writing
We understand how Jack broke barriers in Hollywood by defying being pigeonholed as either a comic or a serious actor. Due to the tight script and the use of music, Jack Lemmon Returns emerges as a captivating journey into the life of a film star from the point of view of his son.
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