Review "Tinker to Evers to Chance" at Merrimack Repertory Theatre (Lowell, MA)

Tinker to Evers to Chance by Mat Smart and directed by Sean Daniels is a captivating story about love, loss and baseball, but most of all hope. The hope felt by a diehard Cubs fan in 2003 when she believes that this will be the year the baseball team will finally make it to the World Series and win for the first time since 1908. The hope felt by a daughter wishing for her mother to come home. The hope of a caretaker praying that he didn’t cross the line and longing to make things right. While this play explored a variety of emotions, time periods and connected characters, the most prominent piece that tied it all together was hope.

In the fall of 2003, Lauren, played by Emily Kitchens, travels to her mother’s home in Chicago from her home in New York City so the two of them can attend a pivotal playoff game of their beloved Chicago Cubs. She arrives at the apartment, with a view of Wrigley field, to find not her mother, but her mother’s personal care assistant RJ, played by James Craven. They soon discover Nessa, Lauren’s mother, has disappeared without a trace and they have no idea why she left or where she went. The only clues they find are those in a play she has written about Johnny Evers, the Cubs’ second baseman. Over the next six months Lauren forms a bond with RJ keeping him in the loop on discoveries she makes in regards to her mother’s disappearance. Even when it’s clear to them that Nessa is never coming home, Lauren never gives up hope that her mother will one day return to her.

The cast of two portray multiple characters throughout the play including Nessa (Lauren’s mother), Florence (Nessa’s Grandmother), Johnny Evers, and Mrs. Spoor (Johnny Evers’ Nurse). Using various costume pieces the two actors transform to portray the other characters over a 97-year time span. Both Kitchens and Craven are dynamic actors who bring life in colorful, emotional, and at times amusing ways to the variety of characters they play. One of my favorites was Craven’s dainty portrayal of Florence as she meets Johnny Evers in 1906 while working in a drugstore on the South Side of Chicago. Donned in a white apron his mannerisms and vocals wonderfully portrayed the young Florence who Evers gave his baseball jersey to. Evers, in this scene, was played by Kitchens who later portrayed him again after his stroke. Kitchens’ portrayal of Evers in both scenes was interesting to watch, but my favorite character she portrayed was Nessa in a scene where she meets Evers (played here by Craven) for the first time and he signs the jersey he had given to her grandmother many years earlier. This scene was poignant and very well done by both actors. 

This play draws the audience in from the beginning and is able to keep their attention throughout. One noteworthy sequence occurred when neither actor was on stage and all the audience heard for a few minutes was an audio recording of the 2003 NLCS Game 6: the Cubs against the Marlins. It was a well done addition to the play that brought to life the baseball theme and how important it and this particular game was in the lives of Lauren and Nessa.

Emily Kitchens & James Craven (Photo Credit: MRT)

While this play was not my favorite of MRT’s season, its’ message of hope and never giving up on someone or something, is one that has stayed with me. Tinker to Evers to Chance plays at Merrimack Repertory Theatre (Lowell, MA) until March 6^th with performances Wednesdays through Sundays. Tickets range from $60- $23 and can be purchased online at www.mrt.org or by calling 978-654-4678.

World Premiere of "The White Chip" at MRT (Lowell MA)

Sean Daniels’ autobiographical, dark comedy, “The White Chip”, shares his past struggles with alcoholism, the science of addiction and his path to recovery. Though it sounds like this story could easily be an hour and a half depressing lecture, Daniels approaches the topic with wit and humor that captures and holds the audiences’ attention.

Cast of "The White Chip" (photo credit: MRT)

Writing an autobiographical play about a very difficult time in one’s life can be a terrifying experience. Not only that but having the play performed in front of an audience of your neighbors, colleagues, friends and patrons; it’s no wonder Daniels was a bit anxious about this one. In sharing his story he becomes the voice that he needed, but didn’t hear, in his own darkest moments, and through this wonderfully written play he is that voice for others in the midst of their struggle with addiction.

Fantastically directed by Sheryl Kaller three incredible actors bring this play to life. Jeffrey Binder, as Sean, is dynamic, captivating and delivers an emotionally charged performance. In the first few minutes of the play he grabs the audiences’ attention and when they start laughing, I realize this play is not going to be what I expected; it’s going to be better. Isabel Keating and Benjamin Evett round out the trio playing a variety of characters including: Sean’s parents, wife, others in recovery, co-workers, and the list goes on. Their ability to portray so many vital people in Sean’s life ties the story together perfectly. The connection between this cast is unparalleled and it demonstrates their 100% commitment to sharing this important, timely and culturally relevant story.

The technical aspects of this production really helped put it on a whole other level. Projections, designed by Aaron Rhyne, and illustrations, by Julie Felise Dubiner, added both realism and amusement to the play.

While this play was funny at times and sad at others, throughout it offered the audience a glimpse into the world of addiction from the addicts’ point of view rather than that of a bystander. This play is unlike any I have ever read or seen and I believe it is being performed at exactly the right time based on our country’s current drug overdose crisis. It epitomizes the notion that something good can come from something bad. There can be life after addiction and Sean Daniels is living proof of that fact. 

“The White Chip” plays at Merrimack Repertory Theatre (Lowell, MA) until January 31^st 2016 with performances Wednesdays through Sundays. Tickets and more information can be found at www.mrt.org/whitechip.

 

Review “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play” at Merrimack Repertory Theatre (Lowell, MA)

Photo Credit: Merrimack Repertory Theatre

“It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play”, adapted by Joe Landry, is a presentation of the classic film as a 1940’s radio drama. The story of George Bailey comes to life as five talented actors gather around microphones to voice over 40 characters and create superb sound effects live onstage. The audience itself plays the role of the live studio audience and is encouraged from the start to react to the story as it plays out to “help the listeners at home fully enjoy the story”.  The radio station, WMRT, brought the audience, many of whom could have been around during the glory days of radio programing, back in time to a Christmas Eve performance of one of the most beloved holiday stories.  

A large part of the play includes the cast creating live sound effects; everything from crunching snow to wind to splashing water to moving vehicles in addition to a few dozen other effects. Each of these was executed effortlessly and skillfully by the cast. Amanda Williams did a fantastic job as Scenic Designer creating a detailed and prop filled set that was fully utilized throughout the play. Together with Sound Designer Jonathan Mastro and Lighting Designer Carter Miller they masterfully created a realistic and fully functional radio station stage that gave the cast everything they needed to brilliantly bring this story to life.

The five incredibly talented actors were directed by Megan Sandberg-Zakian and include Jason Bowen, Joel Colodner, Veronika Duerr, Nael Nacer and Celeste Oliva. Each actor delivered unique characterizations and vocal diversity for each of their various characters throughout the play. As a group they worked together seamlessly and were wonderfully dynamic and compelling. From the moment they walked on stage they captured the audience’s attention and it wasn’t long before they captured their hearts with their magnificent performances.

The play, running at 90 minutes with no intermission, flew by and fully enthralled the audience from start to finish.  Simply put this show will make you laugh, make you cry and warm your heart on the coldest of winter nights.

“It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play” plays at Merrimack Repertory Theatre until December 20th. Tickets range from $60-$23 and are selling fast so don’t hesitate to book your seats for this must see holiday production.  To purchase tickets or find more information check out www.mrt.org/wonderful or call 978-654-4678.

Review of ‘The Producers’ at J-ART @ the Jewish Cultural Center (Springfield, MA)

Cast of 'The Producers' (Photo Credit J-ART)

‘The Producers’ is a multiple Tony award winning musical from the comedic mind of Mel Brooks. It is a farce style musical comedy meaning that most of the show is over the top. So when community theatre group J-ART at the JCC decided to put such a huge hit on their stage they knew it would be a challenge to pull off. Unfortunately, the production did not entirely live up to the hype it created for itself in its playbill, though I do agree that it was a unique night at the theatre.

The show, accompanied by a five piece orchestra, began its performance to a moderately full audience who seemed to really enjoy the show. The first area that could have been focused on a bit more was that of the sound. Though the orchestra was small, at times their volume overpowered the vocals. Many, if not all, cast members were wearing individual mics which often times were either set too loud for some or not high enough for others. This made not only hearing, but understanding each character a bit more challenging. However, I will commend the cast for being able to project their voices into the space rather than rely on the microphone to do all the work. Secondly, often times the choreography came across unrefined as certain dancers looked uncomfortable and seemed to lack confidence with the steps. I would suggest that if dancers are not confident they can perform certain moves cleanly and correctly that the moves be changed in order to have a polished final product.

The ensemble, all of whom played many roles throughout the performance, overall did a good job. Portraying multiple characters is not an easy task, but this group took on the challenge, and though some characters were not convincing, others were very well done. Two of those well done characters were portrayed by Steven Grabowski, as Franz, and Kevin Lempke, as lead storm trooper.  Steven’s portrayal of German playwright Franz was energetic and highly amusing. Kevin’s vocals during “Springtime for Hitler (part 1)” were a wonderful highlight within the production.

The lead roles of Max Bialystock and Leopold Bloom were nicely done by dynamic duo Austin Kopp, as Max, and Chris Rojas, as Leo. They played off each other very well throughout the performance and it was clear they worked hard on their comedic timing as they consistently hit their punch lines just right. Austin’s comedic talent shined brightest in his solo song in Act 2 entitled “Betrayed”. This song is very upbeat and not only vocally challenging but physically challenging as well. Austin did a great job not only remembering the extensive amount of lyrics, but his vocal and physical performance during the number made it a hilarious audience favorite.

The perfectly cast Chris Rojas, as Leopold Bloom, was a consistent highlight of the production. From the moment he walked on the stage he had the audience engaged in the story and steadily chuckling. He made clear character choices, embodying his neurotic character, and stuck to his choices from start to finish. He nailed all aspects of the physical comedy he attempted. Looking like a young Matthew Broderick, who originated the role on Broadway in 2001, certainly didn’t hurt.

Overall, this production was a unique experience that the audience highly enjoyed. ‘The Producers’ can be seen on stage until November 22^nd at the Springfield Jewish Cultural Center. For more information or tickets visit https://www.springfieldjcc.org/events/theproducerspresen/.