peerless at Barrington Stage Company (Pittsfield, MA)

(l-r): Sasha Diamond (M) and Laura Sohn (L). Photo credit: Justin Allen

Jiehae Park’s exceptionally well written play peerless offers a unique look into the college application and acceptance process that affects so many people every year. In the play we meet Asian-American twin sisters who’ve devised a plan to ensure they both make it into “the college”. It starts with them attending a new high school where they will enroll in different grades so as to not compete with each other for the coveted college spot. “M”, played by Sasha Diamond, would apply and start college first, while “L”, played by Laura Sohn, would apply the following year. Their plan seems flawless, until they find out that someone else was accepted instead of M. It is there they devise a new plan to do whatever it takes to make sure M gets that spot. As the play progresses we see that they are willing and capable of doing anything to make their plan succeed.

                                                                                                                 

In the intimate theatre space, which was easily consumed by darkness (aiding the mood of the play), the audience sat intrigued by Dirty Girl, Adina Verson, who appeared with dreadlocks and grungy looking clothes to begin the show. The obvious outsider of the school where the twins hoped to carry out their plans, she appeared and disappeared throughout the show offering disturbing insight into the twins’ future. When the twins first appear, they stand in front of their lockers spouting off about their plan. The quickness of their speech further captivated the audience. For the remainder of show we were hooked on the story described to us as “a comedy until it isn’t”.

Laura Sohn and Sasha Diamond as the twin sisters L and M were fantastic. Their dialogue was unbelievably fast, but their diction was flawless and every word was clearly understood. They fully embraced their roles, diving head first into the complexity of these characters, their logic and their interpretation of reality. The actors’ connection to each other, ability to finish each other’s sentences and to seemingly have the same thought process was uncanny and made believing them to be twins very easy. Their extensive fight scene late in the play was supremely choreographed by Ryan Winkles. Adina Verson, as previously mentioned, portrayed Dirty Girl for the majority of the show and then in the final scene portrayed Preppy Girl. She was fascinating to watch because we never knew what she was going to do or say. Ronald Alexander Peet played “BF”, an African-American boy who unknowingly posed a threat to the twins’ perfect plan. Ethan Dubin was terrific in his portrayal of fellow classmates “D” and then later as “D’s Brother”. This excellent five person cast was directed by Louisa Proske who helped them find the many characteristics, vocal, physical and emotional dynamics of each character and portray them with passion, honesty and a bit of humor. 

The scenic design by John McDermott is remarkable and includes panels painted various colors that are hung on tracks and moved across the stage to create the various scenes and spaces during the play. The lighting design by Oliver Wason and sound design by Jeremy S. Bloom further transfixed the audience into the world of the play. These three elements worked perfectly together to match the fractured nature of the play and staging from director Louisa Proske.

This show is unlike anything I have ever seen and is worth a drive that is longer than the show itself. It is insanely brilliant while totally twisted at the same time and in the best possible way. I loved the descent into madness and how it played homage to Shakespeare’s tragedy of Macbeth. This play truly is a comedy, until it isn’t and is not to be missed.  

This phenomenal production of peerless runs about 90 minutes with no intermission and plays on the St. Germain Stage at the Sydelle and Lee Blatt Performing Arts Center until August 6^th. For tickets call the box office at 413-236-8888 or visit www.barringtonstageco.org

Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike at the Peterborough Players (Peterborough, NH)

Upon walking into the intimate theatre space to attend Christopher Durang’s Tony-award winning play: Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, I immediately noticed the homey, rustic and comfortable set, designed in detail by James Morgan. The “morning room”, as it is referred to in the play, felt cozy and relaxing like a summer home in the mountains. However, that cozy, comfortable, relaxed feeling quickly departed when the play began as Vanya started his day with a cup of coffee and unknowingly set off his sister Sonia.

                                                                                                                                    

This wonderfully, written play is about three middle aged siblings. Vanya and Sonia, who, after spending many years caring for their aging parents, have stayed on, living in the family home. Their selfish sister Masha, meanwhile, went off to become an actress and travel the world. On this particular weekend, however, Masha and her much younger boyfriend, Spike, have come to visit Vanya and Sonia and it doesn’t take long for tension to build and old resentments to surface amongst the group. This well-executed production features a cast of six talented actors under the direction of Gus Kaikkonen. 

Cast of Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike Photo Credit Peterborough Players

Vanya, played by Kraig Swartz, had great comedic timing and spot-on line delivery throughout the play. His monologue (as a tirade) in act two about how times have changed was amusingly relatable for the audience who understood every pop culture and generational reference he made from Davey Crocket to licking postage stamps. While his monologue went on for quite a while, it never seemed like he was unsure of his place in it. Every reference and every line was delivered with precision in addition to emotional and vocal variation that kept the audience fully engaged with what he was saying. With a speech of that length I think it could have very easily been performed in one tone that would have quickly had the audience zoning out, but not with Swartz. His performance of Vanya, and in particular this speech, was exactly how it should be done.

Sonia, nicely played by Dee Nelson, was very much a sympathetic character who was convinced that opportunities to live an adventurous life were over and who often felt invisible when Masha was around. Nelson portrayed Sonia superbly, especially when Sonia took on the personality of Dame Maggie Smith while the group attended a costume party. Masha, splendidly played by Lisa Bostnar, is a self-centered actress who wasn’t around much when her siblings were caring for their ailing parents, but thanks to the events of this trip home she realizes the importance of family and is able to reconnect with her siblings. Bostnar fully embodied this role and was a delight to watch. Masha’s younger boyfriend Spike, boisterously played by Bobby Mittelstadt, is outrageously eccentric and completely contrasts every other character. It is his young, immature disregard for others, especially his elders, that sends Vanya on his outburst about change and the past. Cassandra, the maid, is entertainingly played by Megan Robinson. Nina, the young niece of a neighbor, aspiring actress and big fan of Masha, is delightfully played by Eleanor Pearson. The cast as a whole brought humorous life to this fun production.

The audience overwhelmingly loved this production as seen by how quickly they arose from their seats to give it a well-deserved standing ovation. This production is rated PG-13 for strong language and adult themes. Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike plays on the Peterborough Players stage, 55 Hadley Road, Peterborough, NH, until July 31st. For tickets call the box office at 603-924-7585 or check out www.PeterboroughPlayers.org

The Pirates of Penzance at Barrington Stage Company (Pittsfield, MA)

A New Version of Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance has come to the Berkshires and is delighting audiences both young and old. The incredible scenic design by Beowolf Borritt includes a stage extension into the middle of the orchestra that serves as part of the ship and additional performance space throughout the production. The design is further accentuated with wonderful lighting by Jason Lyons. The beautiful costumes from designer Jess Goldstein stood out perfectly against the set. Creative direction by John Rando had the cast using not only the stage and extension, but the aisles as well to further engage and interact with the audience.

This cast features Broadway, West End, and National Tour veterans from around the world and some of the most incredibly well trained voices I’ve heard so far this summer season. Under the music direction of Darren R. Cohen, who also served as conductor, this cast shines as they excitedly bring this classic musical to life. Precise fight choreography by Ryan Winkles allowed for exciting and excellently executed sword play mere inches from the audience without too much fear of injury. 

The Pirates and Police featured the male ensemble lively doubling both roles. They were fully engaged in their two characters showcasing different personality quirks and physical attributes for each. Energetically performing exhilarating choreography from Joshua Bergasse, their dancing and acrobatic skills were fully utilized.

Will Swenson & the pirates ensemble. Photo credit Kevin Sprague.

Alex Gibson was fantastic as the Sergeant and led the Police in “No, I am Brave!” with Mabel and “When a Felon’s Not Engaged in His Employment”.  The many daughters of Major-General were altogether lovely with terrific voices and unique characterizations. David Garrison as Major-General was superb. His performance of “I Am The Very model of a Modern Major-General” was highly entertaining. Scarlett Strallen, as his daughter Mabel, was stunning with superior vocal tone and power. Her duets with Frederic (Kyle Dean Massey) were gorgeous. Massey, as Frederic, was charming and strong. Frederic’s naiveté was only apparent when he interacted with the Pirate King, superbly played by Will Swenson, who was fiercely commanding. Jane Carr amusingly played Ruth, the woman who raised Frederic on the pirate ship, and was a joy to watch.

With so many lyrics so quickly sung, this fast paced, musically driven show was impeccably well done and was an extremely enjoyable theatrical experience. It is certainly a highlight of my summer theatre experience and is sure to be one of yours as well!

It was clear to the audience the entire cast had fun in their roles and enjoyed performing this show, which made the viewer enjoy it as well. I overheard many say afterwards “that was delightful”, “fantastic”, “lots of fun” and other variations of high praise. This family friendly production runs just over 2 hours including intermission. The Pirates of Penzance plays on Boyd-Quinson Mainstage until August 13^th. For tickets call the box office at 413-236-8888 or visit www.barringtonstageco.org

Regional premiere of ‘OH GOD’ at Chester Theatre Company (Chester, MA)

Maureen, Keiller & Will Lyman. Photo Credit: Chester Theatre Company

Chester Theatre Company in collaboration with Israeli Stage presents the Regional Premiere of OH GOD by celebrated Israeli female playwright Anat Gov and translated by Anthony Berris. Directed by Israeli Stage Producing Artistic Director Guy Ben-Aharon, the audience watches a therapy session between psychologist Ella and God unfold before them. God has come to Ella to aid him in curing his increasing depression while Ella has a hard time even believing that he exists.

The play begins with Ella asking a few standard questions such as “Who are you?” and “What is your profession?” To these she receives the answers “I am that I am” and “an artist”. While it takes her a while to believe that he really is God and he really is looking for her help, the two are finally able to delve down, deep into the past to discover what has brought God to this point of severe depression and a desire to die; which would mean the ending all of humankind, his creation, first.

Ella and God are played by well-known Boston performers Maureen Keiller and Will Lyman. The pair has performed readings of the play a number of times and therefore their comfort with each other and the piece is clear from the start. They are incredibly in tune with both their characters and each other. Keiller takes the stage first and quickly displays the worry, disappointment and heavy heart that Ella carries. Lyman’s portrayal of God is powerful yet emotional, funny yet incredibly sad. They easily converse throughout the play drawing the audience deeper with every passing moment. In the intimate space, we could see every tear well in their eyes, hear every nuance in their dialog and feel the power and surety they placed in every word they spoke. They delivered an incredible performance that held the audience’s attention from beginning to end.

Overall, OH GOD is an intellectual and thought provoking piece of theatre that is sure to spark conversation amongst its audience members. OH GOD runs 90 minutes with no intermission and plays at the historic Town Hall, 15 Middlefield Road in Chester, MA. Show times are 8:00pm Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, and 2pm Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays. Ticket prices are $37.50 for general audiences and $10.00 for students and residents of Chester. For tickets or more information visit www.chestertheatre.org. For more information on Israeli Stage visit www.israelistage.com.

Review: ‘The Good Body’ by Hub Theatre Company of Boston

The Good Body, a new play by Eve Ensler, frankly discusses the very real issue of female body image and how women in America should accept what they have rather than obsess about what they don’t. Directed by Lindsay Eagle, seven very different women play a variety of realistic characters who are in many ways relatable to those sitting in the audience. They are different shapes, ethnicities and ages, but all work together harmoniously to show women they can and should love who they are, just as they are, rather than focus on becoming the “ideal female”.

The cast features Julia Alvarez, Lauren Elias, W. Laurie Ewer, Paola M. Ferrer, Sanaa Kazi, Sally Nutt and Regine Vital. Throughout the production they moved through the intimate space interacting with the audience as they passed by. They did a good job of staying in character while at the same time being incredible close to the audience and often conversing about sensitive subjects.

While their performances were good, the quality of the production was greatly diminished due to the venue. In the intimate space one would think sound would not be a problem, but that would be wrong in this case.  Seated in the middle of the rows of chairs, in a private room of a club, would be an ideal location, you would think; yet we constantly missed hearing the dialog. The actors, who were not wearing microphones, did not adequately project their lines to compensate for the excessive noise from the bar/restaurant on the other side of the doors. It was incredibly frustrating during the heavier monologues when laughter and music could be heard mere feet away in the next room. It completely ruined the atmosphere of the play and the performance of the actors.

My advice: When attending, get there early to get a seat near the front so you don’t miss any part of this funny and realistic show. The Good Body is being presented until July 30^th at Club Café, 209 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA. Tickets for all shows are set as “pay-what-you-can”.  For more information and tickets visit http://www.hubtheatreboston.org/.