‘American Idiot’ in Asbury Park is a Winner

Posted on July 6, 2022 by Karen Nowosad
Shared from APTCo Facebook photos

Live theater returns to Asbury Park this month as the Asbury Park Theater Company presents American Idiot. An exuberant version of the Green Day Broadway hit show plays one more weekend in the Kingsley Theater at the Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel. Directed by William Whitefield, this show features a cast with singing voices that will knock your socks off! Green Day’s music and Billie Joe Armstrong’s lyrics are in good hands with Music Direction by Andrew Macirowski. Equally as exciting is the choreography provided by Serena Soffer as the cast puts on a first rate production. This show is a winner that theater goers will love seeing.

American Idiot Works for Post 9/11 World and Today’s World

American Idiot played on Broadway for 422 performances from 2010 – 2011. It won several Tony Awards as well as  the 2011 Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album. It is based on a book by Billie Joe Armstrong and Michael Mayer. The story examines life in America after 9/11 and the effects on the young generation of the time. It was a trying time filled with people struggling to decide how to make a life of their own. Fitting into convention society is questioned as struggles with identity ensue.

This presentation of American Idiot comes at a time as people struggle to regain their balance in life post CoVid. Perhaps a chance to see a struggle from back then might provide reassurance for now.

Looking back at the lyrics of the opening song, one immediately sees a synergy between the two time periods.

Don’t wanna be an American idiot!
Don’t want a nation under the new media
And can you hear the sound of hysteria?

Welcome to a new kind of tension
All across the alien nation
Where everything isn’t meant to be okay
Television dreams of tomorrow
We’re not the ones who’re meant to follow
For that’s enough to argue . . .

Song excerpt from “American Idiot” by Green Day

American Idiot Songs Make the Plot Come Alive

Scene from ‘American Idiot’ Asbury Park Theater Company – Photo credit John Posada

The songs from this show come from Green Day’s album titled “American Idiot.” They are a powerful blend of rock music from Green Day’s catalog combined with great storytelling lyrics.

The story focuses on the individual journeys of three young men, Johnny (Jeremy Rotolo), Tunny (Connor Closs), and Will (Luke Surrestsky). Each follows a path where they encounter decision points that either allow them to move forward or threaten to ground them forever. Along the way, they encounter war, the struggle to support a family, and drugs.

An interesting gender twist adds to the role of the drug dealer, St. Jimmy (Kim Trachtenberg). This change from the original production makes it even more intriguing to see.

Scene from ‘American Idiot’ Asbury Park Theater Company – Photo credit John Posada

Other women featured in the show include Halle Ryan Lipton, Avery Gallagher, and Janie Hornstien.

The ensemble includes Grace Allison, Gavin Bailey, Shannah Dolan, Carina Duffy, Emily Gulden, and Leah Krupnick. Other ensemble members are Nathaniel Paris, Luke Pearlberg, Courtney Ravelo, Frank Saverino, Connor Sheridan, Fiona Sheridan, Rose Taylor-Riley and Joey Walsh. 

This cast and the band assembled on the side of the stage bring some amazing moments of music to the show. Some of the most memorable include:

The opening number, “American Idiot,” performed by the entire cast, is rousing and filled with high levels of energy.

The poignant “21 Guns” is also performed by the entire cast with the three men and women in lead vocals and stirs emotions.

“Wake Me Up When September Ends” is a moment in the show when the vocals of the three men and the company combine in fine harmony.

One of the final songs, although not the last, is “We’re Coming Home Again.” This is so well done it brought a few tears to my eyes.

Overall, high praise goes out to all connected with this production.

Future Productions

Now is the time to make plans to get tickets for what is coming next from Asbury Park Theater Company:

  • Running in December is Million Dollar Quartet. This is the story of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins as they got together in a recording studio in Memphis on December 4, 1956.
  • In April 2023, American Son will run. This is a play about estranged bi-racial couple. Their son is detained by the local police causing them to confront their feelings about race and bias.

It seems to me that live theater in Asbury Park is a very good idea. I applaud this new theater company and wish them all the best as they continue to provide good, solid entertainment to the Jersey Shore community.

For more information about these shows and ticket purchases, visit Asbury Park Theater Company’s website.

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“Chains” Looks at Ordinary Lives

Posted on June 26, 2022 by Karen Nowosad
Laakan McHardy, Jeremy Beck, Avery Whitted and Peterson Townsend in a scene from Mint Theater’s American Premiere of Chains by Elizabeth Baker, directed by Jenn Thompson. Photo credit: Todd Cerveris

Chains – An Overview

Mint Theater Company is back to New York City’s Theatre Row as they present Chains, a play by Elizabeth Baker. Jenn Thompson directs the show which is well paced with a very fine cast. The play gives good attention to detail needed to present the thoughts and actions of its characters both through the acting and the set design. The audience when I attended got us, as strangers, chatting both at intermission and at the end of the play. All of us wanted to swap thoughts and insights about the show. A good production will do that.

Chains was originally scheduled for presentation in 2020 and lost out when CoVid shut down NYC’s theaters. So the opportunity to produce this now was long awaited. By luck, the same group of cast members from 2020 are in this one.

Perhaps it was fate, but in a sense, this show has special meaning right now with all that is happening with the economy and people’s post CoVid examinations of their lives. When Elizabeth Baker wrote this in the early 1900’s, those topics were something she recognized and wrote about.

Mint Theater’s Commitment to Neglected Women Playwrights

Chains is the second offering in Mint’s series “Meet Miss Baker.” This is Mint’s latest effort in its ongoing commitment to create new life for neglected women playwrights. In 2019, Mint Theater Company presented another play by Backer, The Price of Thomas Scott. There are some potential plans for a third one.

In 1909, Elizabeth Baker went from “obscure stenographer making five dollars a week” to “one of the most widely discussed playwrights in London” when Chains had a one-performance “try-out” at the Royal Court in London. The Times and The Globe both called Chains “remarkable.” The next year, Baker’s drama was running in repertory with the plays of Galsworthy, Barrie, Granville Barker and Shaw and was hailed as “the most brilliant and the deepest problem play by a modern British writer since Major Barbara” by The New Age.

Mint Theater Company Press Notes

A large round of applause goes to Mint Theater Company for their efforts towards neglected women playwrights. The Mint has a knack for picking plays which connect to the current day and this is a great time for this play.

Story Centers on Ordinary People Who Want a Less Ordinary Life

Chains opens at Charley Wilson’s house. It is a comfortable but small garden style home in suburban London. Charley works as a clerk, a job that is steady but not interesting. Jeremy Beck focuses his performance as a brooding Charley who is not very happy with his life. The one thing that does give him pleasure is his small garden. Well, maybe his wife, too. He will be promoted to a supervisory role, although the money for the new position will not greatly improve his finances. Then, he finds out his salary is being cut which adds to his frustration.

Laakan McHardy plays Lily Wilson. Her sensitive performance brings out the emotions that seem to be lacking in her husband. She believes in her husband’s abilities and appears quite content with a simple life. Her sister, Maggie Massey, is a beautiful woman who is a shop worker. Olivia Gilliatt does a fine job showing how much her character wants to stop working. To do that, she needs to marry. Her best prospect is Walter Foster played by Ned Noyes. Walter is a pleasant enough man who makes clear how important Maggie is to him. Maggie is not in love with him but quite willing to marry him to end her life working in the shop.

In order to help make ends meet, the Wilsons rent out rooms to borders. Their current border is Fred Tennant. Peterson Townsend shows the excitement Fred has when he announces that he is leaving his job. His next stop is Australia which promises great adventures. As he prepares to leave the Wilson house the next day, Charley and Maggie both want to do what he is doing. However, ties that bind them appear throwing their decision into deeper thought.

Good Acting in Chains

How does one determine how to live their life? If one decides to take an ordinary job, must they stay in that spot always? This is examined in this play. Not included in this review is the event which changes everything for the characters except for Fred Tennant. He does move on but how many of the others do? The ordinary life comes into full focus in the final scenes which leaves one wondering if it is all that bad.

The cast also includes Kyle Cameron, Anthony Cochrane, Christopher Gerson. Also there is Jeff Gurner, Andrea Morales, Brian Owen, Elisabeth S. Rodgers, Claire Saunders, Amelia White, and Avery Whitted.

Sets are Well Designed

Mint Theater Company always does a fine job with sets and lighting. This one is no exception. John McDermott’s set design allows the audience to look into the small Wilson home to see how compact but comfortable it is. A major set change occurs with Act III when Alfred Massey’s house shows. The transition between the two homes is fun to watch. The Massey home is where Lily Wilson grew up and Maggie Mason lives. It is also compact and comfortable signaling the slight adjustment Lily made when she married.

Adding to the impressive set design is the lighting design from Paul Miller. It adds atmosphere to give warmth to the households.

Performance Schedule and Tickets

Performances are now through July 24, 2022. Check minthteater.org for information on times and dates.

Tickets are available online at Theatre Row Box Office. Also they are available by phone at 212/714-2442, ext. 45 (Monday – Sunday. 12pm – 5pm), or in person at the Theatre Row Box Office Box Office (410 West 42nd Street) two hours prior to curtain. Additional service fees will apply for online or phone orders. 

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“Enchanted April” Delightful at Shakespeare Theatre of NJ

Posted on June 17, 2022 by Karen Nowosad
A scene from Enchanted April, now playing at Shakespeare Theatre of NJ – shown here (l. to r.) Carey Van Driest, Monette Magrath, and Samantha Bruce – Photo by Daniel Radar

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey celebrated a very special season opening on Saturday, June 11 with Matthew Barber’s play Enchanted April. It was the first time in two years they have opened a new season. It is also significant because the Madison based theater group also celebrates their 60th Year Anniversary this season.

Artistic Director Bonnie Monte received a large round of applause and cheers as she opened the evening. She said that mounting this show was the most difficult one she has ever done. However, she added the following in her Director’s Notes in the program: “It’s almost as though the play was waiting to be produced at the exact, perfect moments in time in which it could shine most brilliantly, and have the most profound effect.” Ms. Monte also directs this production which is adapted from the novel by Elizabeth Von Arnim.

The challenges that Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey has overcome the past few years have been enormous. But the results on stage are something every theater lover will be able to embrace and enjoy. Enchanted April is a special gift to theater goers. It has a story that emotionally ties an era of history to our current time. This is done through the superb acting of a well directed cast and a heartwarming tale that unfolds with lots of moments of laughter.

Setting Background

Set in 1922, Enchanted April takes place in England and Italy.

The time of the setting is important because 1922 was several years after the end of World War I. Additionally, there is a tie-in to our current time because like the past few years with CoVid, the Flu Epidemic of 1918 took a toll. There are mentions in the play of men who did not return from the War and how many widows are around. But a child’s death is also mentioned. So the characters represent people who are struggling with both. They are tying to look for new ways to go in their lives and that comes through brilliantly in Enchanted April.

Setting Place: England

Act 1 is set in England where it appears to be raining constantly. Dark colors prevail on the sets as they appear to reflect the feelings of the players. Lotty Wilton needs a break from the continuous rain and more. She has a husband but one who is not very exciting so her life is in need of a boost. Played by Monette Magrath, Lotty is a most spirited woman. Determined to do something about the dreariness in her life, Lotty comes across an advertisement in the newspaper for a rental of a castle in Italy.

Coincidentally, Lotty notices another woman, Rose Arnott, reading the same advertisement. Although the two have seen each other at their Women’s Club, they are not yet friends. Rose’s husband, a writer, goes out often but without Rose. Their marriage has not been a happy one for over four years. Carey Von Driest plays Rose as a woman who has suffered a profound personal loss in her life. It is a very difficult one to overcome. Her struggles feel very real.

When Lotty and Rose decide to take the rental, they want to include two more women to split the expenses. Their two companions are Caroline Bramble and Mrs. Graves. Samantha Bruce plays the beautiful but somewhat secretive Caroline and Elizabeth Shepherd plays the outspoken Mrs. Graves, a widow.

After Lotty and Rose clear their plans as with their somewhat surprised husbands, they are off to Italy for a month of relaxation, good weather, and a new outlook on life.

Setting Place: Italy

The second act begins as the women arrive in Italy at the scenic castle. The grounds hold many beautiful flowers including Wisteria which appears to be a crowd favorite. The plumbing is old containing the makings of a very comical scene later in this act.

Anthony Wilding owns the estate and he stops by to check in on his guests. Aaron McDaniel plays his part graciously as he feels a connection to Rose. After he learns she is not a widow, he changes his scope with fine results.

Anthony is like a son to Costanza who cooks and keeps the place running in his absence. Celeste Ciulla gives a wonderfully humous portrayal of the character who provides many moments of laughter. Lotty invites her husband, Mellersh Wilton, to come for a visit. Greg Jackson comes through with one of the funniest scenes in the show dealing with that aging plumbing mentioned earlier. Anthony Marble plays Frederick Arnott whose character displays one of the most dramatic changes for the better of all.

The time this group spends in Italy results in many personal situations being resolved and reset for a new phase of life. The ability to refocus one’s life is something that can occur and this play gives rise to that notion.

Is it enchantment that guides these changes like the title implies? Who knows? But one thing is for sure: you are guaranteed to have a most enjoyable experience seeing this play.

Tickets for Enchanted April

The Theatre offers various cost-saving opportunities, including $15 student rush tickets, which are available 30 minutes prior to each performance, with a valid student ID, and a limited number of Pay What You Can tickets for every performance on a first-come, first-serve basis.

STNJ also has a $30 Under 30 ticket option, which offers $30 tickets for patrons aged 30 and under, with valid ID. Other discounts are available including a 10% discount for Bank of America customers and employees, members of Thirteen, and AAA members. For tickets, patrons can call the Box Office at 973-408-5600 or visit ShakespeareNJ.org.

Special Performances for Enchanted April

The Symposium Series performances offer a post-show discussion with the cast and artistic staff. For Enchanted April, Symposium performances will be on Tuesday, June 14 at 7:30 PM, Saturday, June 18 at 2:00 PM, and Saturday, June 25 at 2:00 PM. This series is a part of the regular ticket price. 

The Know-the-Show pre-show talks are offered free of cost with the purchase of a performance ticket. Prior to the Thursday, June 16th performance, at 7:00 PM, an STNJ artist will conduct a pre-show talk and Q&A for interested patrons. The performance that night follows at 8:00 PM.

Closed-Caption performance for Enchanted April will be on Thursday, June 16th at 8:00 PM. The Audio-Described performance will be on Thursday, June 23 at 8:00 PM. For more information, please contact the Box Office.

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