‘Flawless’ Will Get You Questioning AI

Posted on September 9, 2026 by Karen Nowosad
Michael Frederic and Ellen Adair. Premiere Stages’ 2026 production of Flawless by John J. Wooten. Photo by Mike Peters.F

Flawless at Premiere Stages at Kean – Highly Recommended

Premiere Stages’ production of John J. Wooten’s play Flawless is now running at Kean University’s Bauer Boucher Theatre Center in Union, NJ. The play is about how Artificial Intelligence (AI) takes over two playwrights. In a word, it is scary! Not the type of scary we think of like we might see at Halloween. But it is scary because there are elements of what could happen as AI continues its descent on the world.

Joe Brancato does outstanding work directing this production. He brings together Mr. Wooten’s well written story and enhances it with powerful staging effects. There are three actors in the show who intersect both with the story and the visual effects.

Flawless had its world premiere at Penguin Rep. Now it is being produced in partnership with Penguin Rep and Shadowland Stages in Ellenville, NY. It will run at Shadowland Stages an additional three weeks in October with the same company. 

A Futuristic Fictional Story

In his role as a playwright, Premiere Stages’ Producing Artistic Director John Wooten has identified a topic that is still fairly new to the live stage. If you are like I am, I always assumed that AI would not be able to worm its way into live theater. But Mr. Wooten identifies paths which would make this possible. Perhaps we won’t have actors being replaced by AI, but we can have stories created through AI platforms. And that is exactly what this story focuses on.

Tess (Ellen Adair) is a unique character in that she is an award winning playwright who also has developed an AI software platform called Percy. She uses the software to write by using effective prompts for playwriting. Flawless brings her together with her former teacher and sometime romantic partner, Frank (Michael Frederic). Frank is a seasoned writer but down on his luck with selling his ideas. He has had to resort to doing adjunct work teaching theater at a college to pay his bills.

Frank would like to collaborate with Tess on writing a new play. He has an idea but needs to work it out. When Tess tells Frank about the Percy platform, conflict occurs between the two former colleagues. But strangely, a figure appears on stage representing the AI platform that Tess developed. The figure is called Percy (Alexander Rios).

As the story continues Frank is faced with whether or not he should join Tess is using the new platform. Success is all but guaranteed. He decides to remain with what he has been saving over the years and tells Tess where he has stored his ideas on his own computer.Without giving away the ending, just note that this strategy backfires on him in an ending that is certain to give you a very strange and somewhat frightening feeling.

Powerful Staging

The Creative Team for this show does an outstanding job with inserting visuals, sounds, and background scenes that enhance the drama taking place.

Michael Frederic and Ellen Adair. Premiere Stages’ 2026 production of Flawless by John J. Wooten. Photo by Mike Peters.
 

Sounds of computer programs coming alive create foreboding sounds. Scenes like the one shown above indicate what is taking place on the laptop that Tess is using. Although it is only a platform, Percy has taken on a human persona. Tess has established him as an AI storyteller with human looks but not human feelings. However, one questions how legit Percy’s insights really are.

Background visuals allow the audience to feel like they are either inside of a computer or watching a very large screen. Unidentified code flashes through making the effects very realistic.

The Intersection of AI and Humans is Startling

As dynamic as the staging and special effects are, nothing prepares you for when the actor, Alexander Rios playing Percy appears. This is a very clever creative staging technique used to demonstrate how real an AI figure might appear to be. His presence is powerful.

Ellen Adair and Alexander Rios. Premiere Stages’ 2026 production of Flawless by John J. Wooten. Photo by Mike Peters.

And the power of that presence takes over the action as it unfolds to a very unexpected ending. Not only is Percy there, but the staging effects light up all the elements.

It would be fair to say that the ending of Flawless identifies mankind’s biggest concerns with AI. This concern is that AI will take us over and we won’t be able to control it. And if that doesn’t scare you, then nothing this Halloween will!

Go to See Flawless

I highly recommend going to see Flawless. As school begins, more news videos and articles are appearing about Artificial Intelligence making this a very timely topic and show to see.

Flawles runs September 3 – 20 in the Bauer Boucher Theatre Center on the Kean University main campus in Union, N.J. The performance schedule is Thursdays at 7:30pm, Fridays at 7:30pm, Saturdays at 3:00pm & 7:30pm and Sundays at 3:00pm. A 3:00pm matinee has been added on Friday, September 18. There is no performance the evening of Saturday, September 19.

To purchase tickets, call the box office at 908-737-7469 or visit Premiere Stages online at premierestagesatkean.com.

Learn More about AI and the Show Flawless

Premiere Stages provides several ways you can learn more about AI. While visiting the theater, go to the lobby and read the well developed information boards. Here are two examples of what you will see:

Photo – K. Nowosad
Photo – K. Nowosad

Additionally, the theater provides a Talkback series following select 3:00 pm performances. Guest speakers and dates are subject to change.

Sunday, September 6 – The cast of Flawless

Sunday, September 13 – Bethany Crystal, BuildFirst.AI

Saturday, September 19 – Grace Wang, Director, NJIT’s Center for AI Research

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Shakespeare Goes Rogue – ‘The Merry Wives of Windsor’

Posted on August 17, 2026 by Karen Nowosad
The cast of Rogue Shakespeare: The Merry Wives of Windsor. Photo by Avery Brunkus

Running now through August 23, 2026 at the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey is a Bard classic comedy: The Merry Wives of Windsor. However, there is more to it than that. This production is titled Rogue Shakespeare:The Merry Wives of Windsor.

Perhaps its because it has been such a hot summer this year, or maybe audiences are just searching for shows that make them laugh. Whatever is the reason, this play cures whatever you are looking for.

On Opening Night, the audience laughter and appreciation was evident. Conversations at the after party were filled with discussion about how could they pull this remarkable piece of theater off in just six days? I have come to learn that actors are remarkable people when it comes to working their craft. They receive a script and it appears to me that they can picture how it will look onstage before they even come in for the first meeting. Years of experience do help. That was part of what came through in this show. But there were also some newer cast members. Whatever the formula is, it worked and it worked well. This show is one you want to come to see. It is a very enjoyable visit to the theater.

But Rogue Shakespeare? Let’s examine what that means.

Rogue Shakespeare: What Is it?

According to information provided in the printed program, Rogue Shakespeare is “theatre at its most daring.” There is no Director and the actors received only 6 days of rehearsals before going live in front of an audience. The performers come in memorized and they dive straight into the work, “trusting their instincts and the brilliance of Shakespeare’s language to guide them.”

Speaking with Artistic Director Brian B. Crowe about this unique approach to theater, he explained that there were some guidelines given to the cast. These included items like selection of props, costumes, and use of the stage. But the freedom to allow the cast the freedom to explore how to present the action was prevalent. They use Shakespeare’s language and follow the story of the play. But their own touches became engraved into the show.

The Merry Wives of Windsor – The Story

The Merry Wives of Windsor is classified as one of Shakespeare’s comedies. It is thought to have been written in the late 1500’s and published in 1602. It focuses around the actions of Sir John Falstaff who decides he needs help with his financial state. So he sets his sights on two married women: Alice Ford and Margaret Page.

Erin Partin as Alice Ford and Ka-Ling Cheunas Margaret Page. Photo by Avery Brunkus.

He writes to each of them the same love letter with only a name change inserted to “customize” it to each one.But the two ladies get together to read the letters and decide to take matters into their own hands to deceive Falstaff. And that’s where the fun begins.

There is a Lot of Fun in this Production

The fun starts with Jeffrey Bender’s superb portrayal of Falstaff. His costume is suitably outrageous as he has has several large pillow type items tucked into his shirt to give him a very fat look. It would be fair to say that most of the scenes dealing Falstaff are hilarious due to Bender’s work on this character. Some of the best scenes occur when he tries to get up and off of an orange lounger. Not only is he awkward, but Bender makes it look like it is hopeless that Falstaff will be able to get up.

Another funny moment is when Falstaff sits on Alice Ford’s lap in attempt to be closer to her. The pain of his weight on her is evident.

Jeffrey M. Bender as Sir John Falstaff and
Erin Partin as Alice Ford. Photo by Avery Brunkus.

What would a Shakespeare comedy be without disguises? Michael Stewart Allen playing Frank Ford comes up with one of the funniest of the show. The facial disguise goes on in several pieces. Allen takes his time allowing the audience to take in each step resulting in many laughs and a crazy look that includes a costume suitable for a Russian play. Here he is shown with Falstaff as they talk about the action being prepared.

Michael Stewart Allen as Frank Ford and Jeffrey M. Bender as Sir John Falstaff. Photo by Avery
Brunkus.

The use of the laundry basket to move Falstaff out of the house is used in several scenes. The two men carrying it have an easy time of it until Falstaff goes in. The looks on their faces as they try to move it with him in it is a perfect humorous moment of disbelief. And of course after he is out of it and they are asked to carry it again, their disbelief at how light it is brings good moments of humor to the show.

A Play with a Satisfying Ending and a Thanks to the Cast

After another humiliating event for Falstaff which involves another crazy costume, the entire group reconcile. This play was written over 400 years ago but even back then, William Shakespeare was willing to give credence to the ability women had to keep things running well with their marriages and their families.

This production relies entirely on the vision of the cast who work with the creatives. The actors demonstrate their knowledge and skill by creating an absolutely marvelous production. The talent to bring in a memorized script but create the sets, costumes, and winning action is not easy to do. But it is evident to see that this group worked hard making the show a delightful adventure for audiences.

Cast of Rogue Shakespeare: The Merry Wives of Windsor

  • Michael Stewart Allen – Frank Ford
  • Jeffrey M. Bender – Sir John Falstaff
  • Emily S. Chang – Anne Page / John Rugby
  • Ka-Ling Cheung – Margaret Page
  • Cole Henry Gilder – William Page / Abraham Slender
  • Hassiem Muhammad – Fenton / Robert Shallow
  • Ryan N. Murray – Nym / Peter Simple
  • Erin Partin – Alice Ford
  • David Shih – George Page
  • Christopher Sutton – Bardolph / Doctor Caius
  • Patrick Toon – Sir Hugh Evans
  • Alison Weller – Host / Mistress Quickly
  • Directed By No One

Special Events

Symposium Series #1: Tuesday, August 18 following the performance

  • A lively post-show chat with the cast.

Symposium Series #2: Saturday, August 22 following the matinee performance

  • A lively post-show chat with the cast.

To Go to the Show

Rogue Shakespeare: The Merry Wives of Window runs now through August 23, 2026 at The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey in the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Avenue, Madison, NJ.

Purchase tickets online through their website or by contacting the Box Office By Phone: (973) 408-5600 or by E-mail: BoxOffice@ShakespeareNJ.org

Run time for this show is approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes including a 15 minute intermission.

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Mala Aria – A Moving Story of Family Love as They Cope with Disease

Posted on July 25, 2026 by Karen Nowosad
Nazira Cisse, Eugene Nesmith and Shiro Kihagi. Premiere Stages 2026 production of MALA ARIA by Gloria Majule. Photo by Mike Peters.

Mala Aria – Premiere Stages at Kean – A Review

Addressing a serious health issue can be a stressful situation for those involved. It is rare to see a play take on a disease like malaria. However, a new play running at Premiere Stages at Kean is about this very topic. Mala Aria by Gloria Majule provides an opportunity to learn more about this disease and how it affects families. Although there are few cases of it reported yearly in the United States, it still needs to be taken seriously. In a number of African countries like Tanzania, one of the settings in the play, it is a different story. People live with the threat daily making it a more serious threat to human life.

Mala Aria is the winner of the Premiere Stages 2025 Premiere Play Festival. There is no doubt why this play won. It is a moving story that not only shows family love and relationships but it also helps develop an understanding of malaria and what it brings.

Gloria Majule recounts her background with the disease in the Playwright’s Notes found in the program for Mala Aria. Majule grew up in Tanzania. She and her sisters got malaria multiple times in her childhood. When she was in high school, her maternal grandmother died of malaria complications She says:

So the disease has been an integral part of my story. I wanted to imagine a protagonist who makes it their life mission to eradicate malaria. . . . I wrote Mala Aria to reckon with what it mean to live in a world where you can lose a loved one due to one mosquito bite, what it means to live in a world where a disease that should have been eradicated decades ago continues to devastate lives.

That quote gives a good view point of the origins of this play. Majule writes a compassionate yet determined look at how deadly malaria can be. There are dark moments but also hopeful ones as the tale unfolds.

The Story Told in Mala Aria

Jamil A.C. Mangan directs this show with a sensitivity to the importance of families, their connections, and the intensity with which malaria strikes. When the play opens, the family is gathered around an urn containing the ashes of the mother of the family, She died from malaria. Although very sad, the father, Baba Amazia, encourages his daughters to dance because he tells them, that is what their mother would have wanted. Eugene Nesmith, who plays Baba, does a superb job with his role. He shifts through many different emotions all in an effort to keep his family grounded and working for good things.

Her mother’s death strengthens Amazia’s resolve to work hard to eradicate malaria. Shiro Kihagi does a outstanding job of portraying the many difficulties her character faces and how forceful she must be. She is already enrolled as a research student studying in Tanzania to work on the disease. However, she wants to go to New York City to complete her PhD and continue on a much larger scale to study the disease. She has theories that she believes can work but she needs more research and support to prove them.

It is quite a battle that ensues between father and daughter on this point. Finally, Baba relents and allows her to go but only after she promises to return to Tanzania after her graduation and work there.

Nazira Cisse plays younger sister Kezia. Cisse plays her role with the loving compassion of a family member who feels the need to stay behind and care for her father. Her compassion extents to her sister as they talk via FaceTime. Kezia listens to her sister who is so busy in the lab but the two try to keep their bond going.

Living in NYC Brings Opportunities and New Personal Revelations

Amazia works hard in the lab trying to develop a breed of the mosquito that could wipe out the ones carrying the malaria disease. She is on her way to achieving some success but the path is not always clear or open. She meets Jasmine played by Anita Welch Smith. Smith plays her part well with both understanding and concern. Amazia realizes she wants to love this woman in a way she could not do back in Tanzania. This divides Amazia from her father and she decides not to return home as previously promised.

Resolution

As is my style, I will stop here because I don’t want to give away the ending. However, be prepared for a several surprises along the way to the conclusion. Although sadness occurs, the play ends on a note of hope.

Questions about the need for a more comprehensive approaches to eradicating malaria continue to prevail and will leave you wondering why more has not happened. For me, seeing this play was a learning experience about the prevalence of malaria and the need for research to better handle it. Hopefully change will come soon.

Sets and Costumes

A change in the usual seating arrangement of the Premiere Stages set allows for a wider stage for this play. At times, there are two settings going at once: one in the home in Tanzania and one in a lab in New York City. Amazia and Jazmine’s bedroom is also a part of the main staging. But nothing overlaps because the staging is well designed to hold it all.

Costumes reflect both of the locations where the action is taking place. Very interesting art work is shown to connect the characters to Tanzania.

The professional design team includes Scenic Designer – David M. Barber, Costume Designer – Niiamar Felder, Lighting Designer – Zack Gage, and Sound Designer Tyler.Sautner. The creative team also includes Music Composer – Carter “Roc” Mangan Jr., Props Master – Mary Gragen and Scenic Artist – Camyron Chauffe. Karishma Bhagani – Dialect Coach and Brooke M. Haney – Intimacy Coordinator. Dale Smallwood is the Production Stage Manager. 

Go to See Mala Aria

Mala Aria runs July 16-August 2 in the Bauer Boucher Theatre Center on the Kean University main campus in Union, N.J.

To purchase tickets, call the box office at 908-737-7469 or visit premierestagesatkean.com.

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