‘The Price of Thomas Scott’ Examines Morals and Ethics

‘The Price of Thomas Scott’ from Mint Theater Company playing at Theatre Row -Josh Goulding, Emma Geer, Andrew Fallaize and Ayana Workman Photo by Todd Cerveri

Mint Theater Company begins their new project, Meet Miss Baker, with The Price of Thomas Scott. The play marks the first of two planned productions written by playwright Elizabeth Baker. Meet Miss Baker continues the Mint’s commitment to create new life for neglected women playwrights. It follows the Teresa Deevy Project which originated in 2010 and to date includes four full productions and publication of two books.

The Price of Thomas Scott had only one production in 1913 at the Gaiety Theate in Manchester, England. At the time, a review from the The Guardian praised Baker: “very considerable merits as a dramatist,” and her “careful realism…a minute study of the surface detail of life, leaving the audience to draw what conclusions they liked from what was before them.” The Era agreed, describing the play as a “delightful piece of realistic drama…There is much interest and food for thought in the picture of Thomas Scott.”

Director Jonathan Bank writes in his Director’s Note that Elizabeth Baker grew up in a strictly religious household. Her parents were Nonconformist, not Protestants but not of the Church of England. She never read plays nor was she taken to the theater. Also in his notes, Mr. Bank speculates that Baker gives voice to ”the questions and feelings that might have been unresolved at the time she wrote it.”

The Story Examines Holding Onto Beliefs

The title of the play, The Price of Thomas Scott, is a good description of the story. It is about the Scott family who own a millinery shop. The head of the household, Thomas Scott, owns the store. His daughter Annie works on the hats in the shop. Annie has grand ideas about how she would like to design her hats but for the most part, she adheres to the more traditional ones that their clientele buy.

The neighborhood is beginning to change with the recent addition of dance halls. Mr. Scott and his wife, Ellen, are firmly against dancing and live theater. Their children, Annie and Leonard are intrigued but abide by their parents’ wishes not to attend. However, when some of their friends visit, they indulge in some dancing and the scene is a very happy one. Annie shows that she knows how to dance. The production gives a very enjoyable scene where this dancing takes place complete with music. But as Mr. and Mrs. Scott return from church, all dancing and enjoyment from it end. Concerns about the financial future for the family are raised and discussed. It is at this rather low moment that an offer comes for Mr. Scott to sell his shop and the building housing it. It seems that the location is ideal for a group who wants to put up a new dance hall.

The money offered for the sale is very, very good. It would be the solution to the Scott family’s financial woes. The problem is Mr. Scott’s conscience. When he hears that a dance hall will be put there, he questions whether or not he can sell. This offer is a good one and one that will solve all the family’s financial woes. But it is decidedly against his morals and ethics. A decision is made but not before the main characters of the family weigh in with their hopes and dreams. What happens to those hopes and dreams remains unresolved.

Emma Geer & Ayana Workman
Photo by Todd Cerveris

A Play with Meaning Then and Today

One of the many things Mint Theatre Company does well is to select plays that stand the test of time. The idea of wrestling with one’s conscience with matters that affect family and the community still is relevant today.There are rarely easy answers to these types of conflicts and the play does a very good job of showing that.

This is not a play with a neatly sealed, happy ending. In fact, the conflict is basically unresolved at the end. The conflict continues for members of his family, especially for Annie who expresses a desire to go to Paris and study hat fashion design. One cannot be sure if that will ever come to pass.

It also raises questions about what makes good business sense and at what cost it occurs. This brings up a discussion where one has to know when it is time to quit. Mr. Scott is told that is part of business. As he contemplates the sale, he sees halls of memory become halls of pleasure. Is it too much for him to allow? He also hears, “You indulge your conscience too much.” Anyone who has ever owned or been an active part of a business can relate to these thoughts.

Overall, it is interesting that this play was written by a woman at a time when few were involved in business. The major conflict involves business dealings interfering with personal morals and ethics. The clash of the two never has an easy solution. Mr. Banks ends his Director’s Note with this: “You may find yourself unsure of what Baker wants you to think at the end of the day. I believe that’s exactly what she intended.” Maybe true of the situations at the time and yet, couldn’t that still be true today

Set and Cast

The set for this show is beautifully done with many fine details included. Mint Theatre Company uses color and textures graciously to create a set that looks and compliments the action so well. The hats with their bountiful feathers and other adornments line up to create the image of a hat shop of long ago. The furniture is that of people who are frugal yet looking to make their family comfortable. Although the audience does not see other rooms, the illusion is there with the creation of scenes of rooms behind doors.

Casting for the show has a fine group of actors playing their roles. The Scott Family features Donald Corren as Thomas Scott and Tracy Sallows as his wife, Ellen. Emma Geer plays daughter Annie with Nick LaMedica as son Leonard. Other cast members include Andrew Fallaize, Josh Goulding, Mitchell Greenberg, Jay Russell, Mark Kenneth Smaltz, Ayana Workman, and Arielle Yoder.

Additional Information – ‘The Price of Thomas Scott’

Running Time: Approximately 90 minutes, no intermission

Location: Theater Row, 410 West 42nd Street, New York City

Performances: Now through March 23, 2019 – Tuesday through Saturday evenings at 7:30pm with matinees Saturday & Sunday at 2pm. Special Added Matinee at 2pm on March 20th

Contact for Info and Tickets: Tickets can be purchased online at Telecharge.com, by phone at 212-239-6200 or in person at the Theatre Row Box Office. Consult the Mint Theatre Company website for more detailed information.

Suggested Audience: Those who enjoy seeing a drama onstage which gives food for thought and later discussion will especially like this show. What Mr. Scott eventually decides will stir good discussion among theater goers who see this performance.

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‘My Very Own British Invasion’ Rocks the House


The company of ‘My Very Own British Invasion’ at Paper Mill Playhouse – photo by Jerry Dalia

The 60’s reveled in rock and pop music. A major part of the music scene was dominated by groups from Great Britain. First the Beatles arrived in 1964. After a time, one band after another came to the U.S. with major hit records. This phenomenon, affectionately nicknamed “the British Invasion,” is the subject of a new show aptly titled My Very Own British Invasion. The show is in its World Premiere at the Paper Mill Playhouse. The show is fast moving, filled with enjoyable music, and a very talented cast who sing many familiar songs and breath new life into them.

Paper Mill Playhouse Promotional Material

A Fable Based on Real Experiences

My Very Own British Invasion is based on the experiences of British rocker Peter Noone, lead singer of the band Herman’s Hermits who was very much a part of the invasion. Using that as a basis for a story, the book for the show, by Rick Elice, skillfully creates its own set of characters and events needed to tell this story. Jerry Mitchell does an outstanding job directing as well as providing the choreography.

Act I opens set in a club in Soho, London, The Bag O’Nails. The rockers of the day go there to hear each other’s songs and pal around together. As the first wave of rockers, the Beatles, arrive in the U.S., their success is celebrated. Others want to follow including Peter. Peter is very young; too young to get into the club. But along comes John Lennon who brings him in and buys him drinks.

There is plenty of good music to hear as lovely Pamela captures Peter’s eye. He is instantly smitten and determined to make her his girl. One problem; hot shot rocker by the name of Trip already has staked his claim on her. Trip is a much older man, all of 19 years old! He looks at young Peter and he doesn’t even see it as a contest. But Pamela sees something in Peter that she likes. Eventually, the very sweet parts of Peter win her over and she is willing to let go of Trip. Thus begins the struggle between Peter and Trip to make Pamela their girl.

Along the pursuit trail, there are a number of incidents that occur eventually bringing them all to the United States where they each have a chance to be on tour. The contest for Pamela continues on and is resolved in a rather surprising manner. Trip finally let his true emotions for Pamela comes out. After listening to Trip, Pamela declares who she needs to be in her own life and the decision about the right man for her gets made.

Who Pamela chooses is not the job of this reviewer to reveal. Bear in mind this is billed as a fable so a moral to the story is in order. My Very Own British Invasion shows what price is paid for our dreams and goals and how far we might go to get them. To end the show, the character Peter sings the Beatles’ song “In My Life.” It takes on a inspired significance as one looks back at their life. Those things and people that were important in a person’s life are held dear.

The Music Alone is Worth the Price of Admission

The music has a score that is chock full of songs from the era of the British Invasion. Lon Hoyt provides Music Supervision and Arrangements. Orchestrations are by Francisco Centeno, Clint De Ganon, John Putman, and Lon Hoyt. Together, they play 25 songs from the 60’s. The music corresponds well to action taking place on stage.

Jonny Amies (Peter) and Erika Olson (Pamela); photo by Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade

For example, when Trip sees Peter trying to woo Pamela, he sings “Can’t You See That She’s Mine.” That was a big hit for the Dave Clark 5 back in the day, but it sounds fresh and new again here. The same when Pamela goes to New Orleans and gets heavily into drugs. The Animals’ hit “The House of the Rising Sun” plays to show her now destructive path.

A very special moment occurs as Peter and Pamela first begin getting into their romance as they sing “There’s a Kind of Hush (All Over the World)” made famous by Herman’s Hermits. An especially fun moment is when Peter’s band sings “I’m Henry the Eighth, I Am.” The audience is invited to sing along to one of the most famous songs from Mr. Noone’s many hits. And sing along they did with great gusto at the Opening Night performance.

The Cast Brings it all to Life

Jonny Amies does a wonderful job playing Peter. He plays the part as a young, innocent with a lot of dreams. You have to root for him as he bravely makes his way into this new world of music and love. Erika Olson plays Pamela whose presence and talent as a singer graces the stage. Kyle Taylor Parker as Geno adds so much to this show. His talent as a singer and serving as narrator is dynamic to watch. Conor Ryan plays Trip, the bad boy rocker complete with the long hair and cool aura. He shows a character who wants his way no matter what and he pulls it off and makes it all believable.

Jen Perry plays several roles including some memorable scenes as Peter’s mother. Bryan Fenkart plays John Lennon bringing in that famous Liverpool style accent. John Sanders plays several roles including Beatles’ manager Brian Epstein and Fallon. Daniel Stewart Sherman plays mean guy The Hammer. Additional casting includes Travis Artz, Gemma Baird, John Campione, Emma Degerstedt, Trista Dollison, Jay Donnell, Graham Scott Fleming, Douglas Goodhart, Cory Jeacoma, Sage Melcher, Jen Perry, and Daniel Yearwood.

The Creatives

The creative team involved with My Very Own British Invasion have done an outstanding job in their respective areas to bring this time period back to life.

Capturing the aura of The Bag O’Nails club and other venues is scenic design by David Rockwell with Kenneth Posner’s lighting design. A salute to fashion of the era comes from Gregg Barnes with costume design. The important sound design is by Andrew Keister. The unique projection design is by Andrew Lazarow, and the period hair and wig design is by Josh Marquette. The production stage manager for this show is Tripp Phillips.

Additional Information about My Very Own British Invasion

Running Time: Approx. 2 hours 10 minutes with one intermission

Location: Paper Mill Playhouse, 22 Brookside Drive, Millburn, NJ

Performances: Now through March 3, 2019

Contact for Info and Tickets: Call 973.376.4343, visit the Paper Mill Playhouse Box Office at 22 Brookside Drive in Millburn, or online at www.PaperMill.org.

Suggested Audience: Teens on up. People who lived through that time period will be especially thrilled to hear those songs again by a whole new generation of performers. If you are looking to see a show that is fun and light hearted, this is for you.

Additional Information: Groups of 10 or more may receive up to a 40% discount on tickets and should call 973.315.1680. Season subscriptions are on sale now and are available by calling 973.379.3717. Students may order $23-$28 rush tickets over the phone or in person at the Paper Mill Playhouse Box Office on the day of the performance.

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“Little Girl Blue: The Nina Simone Musical” A Superb Production

Little Girl Blue: The Nina Simone Musical Written and Performed by Laiona Michelle at George Street Playhouse Photo Credit: T Charles Erickson © T Charles Erickson Photography

The World Premiere of Little Girl Blue: The Nina Simone Musical runs through Feb. 24, 2019 at New Brunswick’s George Street Playhouse. On Opening Night, the sold-out audience showed their appreciation and enthusiasm for the show. And why not? It has everything a show needs to be a big hit: The multi-talented Laiona Michelle playing the title role, an outstanding band performing an eclectic set list, and a true story that needs to be told.

This production is a one woman show about the life of the dynamic and controversial musician, singer, and composer Nina Simone. Directed by Devanand Janki, Laiona Michelle plays the role of Nina Simone. She plays it so well that at times you will think that you are seeing Nina Simone somehow returning to the stage through her. Not only does Ms. Michelle play the role, but she also wrote the book for the show. She has a well trained singing voice that she uses in a variety of ways to show the many different styles and parts of Ms. Simone’s repertoire. Her interpretations of the songs show great depth and understanding of the trials that would have been a part of Ms. Simone’s world. Her ability to build up a song and bring in strong emotions is extremely effective. Perhaps George Street’s Artistic Director David Saint summed it up best when he said this about her in his introduction on Opening Night: “This woman has no bounds on her talent.” Ms. Michelle is a strong singer and an artist who presents her character with absolute clarity and distinction.

Photo Credit: T Charles Erickson © T Charles Erickson Photography

The Story and the Music

To tell a story about an artist like Nina Simone who had so many accomplishments in her artistic life is not an easy task. Wisely, the show is divided into two time periods. The first is 1968, a few days after the assassination of Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. Simone enters the theater with her band to the sounds of a riot taking place outside, escorted by police. Two police officers go up to the stage as the group prepares for the show and they remain there through the first Act. The show begins with “Feeling Good” and the mood is fairly comfortable through a few songs. But as the show progresses, songs that are related to her life become more prominent especially “My Father” then two songs written by Ms. Simone, “Four Women” and “Be My Husband.” The air becomes more tense as “I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to be Free” ignites. Although Nina Simone was considered controversial at points in her life, the reasons for why she was angry make sense hearing and seeing this part of the show.

But the highlight of Act One comes as Ms. Michelle performs one of the most important songs written by Ms. Simone, “Mississippi Goddam.” She sings faster and faster and builds a tempo that catches fire as she exits the room. As the door opens to the street, the sounds of rioting ring out to match the dynamics of the song. It is truly an exciting theatrical moment.

Photo Credit: T Charles Erickson © T Charles Erickson Photography

Act Two takes place a decade later. We learn that Ms. Simone left the United States and lived in Europe. She also delves deep into the tragic parts of her life such as when she lost her chance to have a scholarship to Curtis Institute of Music contending that racism was behind the denial of her chance. Songs and dialog show her life with its highs and lows from emotional lows to attaining her nickname “The High Priestess of Soul.” The concerns with the status of civil rights continue to be important to her. Ms. Simone’s music added to the soundtrack of the civil rights movement and her own life shows much about that time period. The final song is a testament to the way she lived her life as “My Way” is proclaimed.

Fabulous Music from an Outstanding Band

Central to the show is the variety of music provided by an outstanding band. Mark Fifer provides musical direction, arrangements, original materials and plays keyboards during the show. Saadi Zain plays bass. Kenneth Salters is on drums and percussion. The band is with Laiona Michelle right on stage through the show and in a sense, they become actors as well. Without a doubt, the musicality and versatility of this band is remarkable to hear and see.

Credit for Sound Design goes to Karin Graybash. And of course, strains of Johann Sebastian Bach are heard throughout the show because of the love Ms. Simone had for his music.

An Inspired Set Design and Mural as a Backdrop

Upon entering the theater, one feels that they are going to a concert. George Street Playhouse extends the staging to the audience area by adding wood panels, lights, and designs from the set. A gorgeous mural was specially designed and painted for this show. The images on the mural reflect musical items important to Simone’s career. Vivid colors and sizes are used to produce a backdrop that gives an artistic feel to the set. Scenic Design credit goes to Shoko Kambara with Lighting Design by Xavier Pierce.

A Show Well Worth Seeing

Little Girl Blue: The Nina Simone Musical provides excellent entertainment for audiences of all ages. It has music to please a variety of tastes in genres with a fine performer, Laiona Michelle, turning in a fabulous performance. The historic value of the show shines through as well. The turbulence of the Civil Rights Movement in the late 1960’s provides the background but it also examines before and after that time period as well. It moves at a good pace and keeps interest high throughout the show.

Additional Information

Running Time: Approximately 2 hours plus one 15 minute intermission

Location: George Street Playhouse, 103 College Farm Road, New Brunswick, NJ

Performances: Now through February 24, 2019

Contact for Info and Tickets: Visit the George Street Playhouse website at www.GeorgeStreetPlayhouse.org or call the Box Office at 732-246-7717.

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