‘The Office! A Musical Parody’ Reopens Off-Broadway

Posted on April 15, 2021 by Karen Nowosad

“The Office! A Musical Parody” reopened last Friday, April 9 in the Jerry Orbach Theater at the The Theater Center on W. 50th Street.  The unauthorized version of the hit TV series is among the first Off-Broadway shows to resume in-person performances in New York City. NOTE: Performances currently are allowed to run at 33% capacity.

The production originally opened in the Fall of 2018 but came to halt on March 15, 2020 – one full year ago – just as the Coronavirus pandemic was declared and small entertainment venues closed. 

Reports indicate that ticket sales for that 33% capacity went well.

Adherence to Safety Precautions

According to a press release, the reopening at The Theater Center includes numerous safety precautions, upgrades and protocols being put in place:

Everyone who works in the building (actors, stage managers, dressers, technicians, treasurers, house managers and ushers) will all be fully vaccinated.

Everyone entering The Theater Center must wear masks and follow social distancing protocols. All audience members and staff will wear masks at all times. The Theater Center has worked with Ticketmaster to create an easy-to-use contactless ticketing service as well contact tracing. 

Newly installed ten Atmosair Matterhorn 1002 “Air Scrubbers,” an innovative Bi-polar ionization system that will catch and kill contaminants in the air throughout the entire complex.  It is the same system used by NASA and many hospitals across the country. These units fill the venue with hospital grade air that captures and neutralizes viruses, bacteria, and VOC’s as they happen in real time.  

Added Sensedge Air Quality monitors on each floor so patrons can check the quality of the air throughout the space when they first enter the lobby. 

Upgraded its HVAC filters to utilize MERV13 filters.   

Staff are following all the CDC and NYDOH guidelines for hourly and daily deep disinfection cleaning. 

Covid Compliance Officers are on staff to ensure safety protocols are in place and adhered to at all times

All audience members will be seated in “pods” with the people they came with.  Each pod is socially distanced from the next. 

Building capacity limits will always be posted in plain sight and followed accordingly to state and local guidelines.

Cast and Creatives

Cast of ‘The Office! A Musical Parody’

The cast for the reopened show includes Emma Brock as Michael Scott, Laura Mehl as Pam, Danny Adam as Jim, Devina Sebnis as Kelly, Nathan David Smith as Dwight, Emily Qualmann as Phyllis, Gabrielle Filloux as Angela, Bob McSmith as Creed, Kevin Bruce Harris as Stanley, and Marissa Hecker and Andy Martinez in various other roles.

The Office! A Musical Parody features a book and lyrics by Bob and Tobly McSmith, music by Assaf Gleizner and direction and choreography by Donald Garverick.  Scenic designer is Josh Iacovelli, lighting designer is Alex Stevens, sound designer is Matthew Fischer and costume designer is Dustin Cross. 

Performances

The initial performance schedule is as follows:

Thursdays at 7:30 PM

Fridays at 7:30 PM

Saturdays 2:00 & 8:00 PM

Sundays at 3:00 PM

Tickets range in price from $52 – $80. Call the box office at 212-921-7862 or go to ticketmaster.com for tickets or for more information.  

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‘Bad Dates’ is Good Virtual Viewing

Posted on March 2, 2021 by Karen Nowosad
Andrea Burns stars in Bad Dates through George Street Playhouse’s 2021 Streaming Season

Review

New Brunswick’s George Street Playhouse launches their new Digital Productions with a one woman show that is sure to please. Bad Dates runs until March 14 and it marks the first of four productions being planned for the Playhouse’s 2021 Streaming Season. Written by Theresa Rebeck, Bad Dates stars Andrea Burns as divorcee and single mother Haley Walker. Peter Flynn, Ms. Burns real life husband, directs and their son, Hunter Flynn, edited this filmed production. If you are looking for something that is a cross between all those Netflix movies you’ve probably been watching and live theater, this production fills the bill.

Background

Development of new productions in this era of the CoVid pandemic presents some unique challenges. Press notes explained that George Street Playhouse “oversaw and maintained strict testing protocols and safety procedures.”

Additionally, Artistic Director David Saint said:

“Creating this production was a true family affair. Thanks to a generous GSP Board Member granting us use of her home as a filming location, our star, director, and cinematographer were able to form a safe familial ‘bubble’ and film this one-of-a-kind production from the ground up. We hope patrons will join us as subscribers this year as we work to create high-quality theatre in exciting new ways.”

The results of all this planning and designing is a show that is appealing to a wide audience, fun to watch, and clever in its approach to storytelling. It is also very timely because it centers around a woman choosing to go back out into the world and become an active part of it. This is something many face as the world begins to open up again. Have we gotten so comfortable in our own homes that we will not want to venture out? This story captures some of that feeling very well.

The Story-line

As the play opens, we meet Haley Walker who has decided to reenter the dating scene post a divorce and move with her daughter, Vera, to Manhattan. The opening scenes show many shoes she has accumulated as she tries them on while deciding which pair to wear on her date.

As the show progresses on, Haley’s story cleverly unfolds as she talks about the bad dates she has and a few good ones. Also woven into the story is information about her job. She has worked her way up in a restaurant owned by Romanians. Haley now runs the restaurant and is proud of her work. She realizes there is illegal activity going on with the owners and she makes sure she stays clear of it But she tries her best to keep everything going despite what the background is.

Tightly woven into the story is the relationship between Haley and her daughter Vera. We never see Vera but we learn about her and how important she is to Haley.

The story moves between some funny dialog talking about the enormous shoe collection to more serious issues. Fun to watch are the outfits Haley wears to go out on all dates which range from one time to a more serious relationship over a few months. But all along, Haley changes into a stronger, more confident woman all presented through well written dialog.

Why You Will Want to See Bad Dates

Not only is the story interesting, but the photography used in the filming of this production is first rate. The scenes are richly filled with detailed sets. The ability of the camera to pick up Haley’s expressions is an added plus to telling the story.

There is no doubt that one of the biggest reasons for seeing Bad Dates is the performance of the star, Andrea Burns. Ms. Burns is an accomplished stage actress with credits from Broadway hits In the Heights and On Your Feet. She moves smoothly between delivery of dialog that includes comedy with an edge of sarcasm at time to more serious subjects. The very fine acting given by Ms. Burns coupled with the camera work gives viewers a feeling of really getting to know Haley Walker.

Ticket Information for Bad Dates

Tickets for each show can be purchased for $33 per household at GeorgeStreetPlayhouse.org.

Patrons can also subscribe to all four shows this season for $132.

When your email arrives with your ticket and online link, you will also receive an excellent explanation of ways to watch the show not only on your computer, but also how to mirror or connect your computer to a television set allowing you to enjoy the show on a bigger screen.

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Pandemic Playhouse Gives Quality Productions

Posted on February 6, 2021 by Karen Nowosad
Overruled by George Bernard Shaw. Directed by Bonnie J. Monte. Pictured, from left to
right: Billie Wyatt and Christian Frost. Photo by Avery Brunkus.

Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey Introduces Pandemic Playhouse Entertainment

In the midst of the live theater drought, The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (STNJ) introduces a new remedy: Pandemic Playhouse Entertainment (PPE). This initiative was described by Artistic Director Bonnie J. Monte as being inspired by the old television shows of the 1950s and 60s such as Playhouse 90, Masterpiece Playhouse, and Philco Playhouse. Ms. Monte also explained that the STNJ will use their Main Stage at the F. M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre in Madison, NJ and then provide the productions through an online platform which audiences can purchase to see.

It is the Shakespeare Theatre’s hope that this approach will help author’s words continue to be heard and seen while also providing some employment for their company of actors and the creative team as well. Additionally, it is hoped that the income from this programming will help them to survive the pandemic.

If the first offering now available is any indication of what this series will provide, then STNJ should be able to accomplish their goals. The quality of the production is first rate. It is theater created on film for those who enjoy seeing theater presented in a first class manner. There is no doubt that the company has struck gold with what what they are doing.

First PPE Offering Now Available – Shaw, Shaw, Shaw

PPE launched their first production this week with three George Bernard Shaw plays which ran last summer at STNJ’s outdoor Back Yard Stage in Florham Park. The program is titled Shaw, Shaw, Shaw because it is made up of three one act plays by the playwright. For theater goers who were at the outdoor production or those who missed it, this is a good chance to see this set of plays with some new elements that would not have been available outdoors.

The sound for these productions is perfect so that the all important dialog is easily heard. Showing a play on film allows close ups of each character and expressions that are crucial to getting the full meaning of what is being said are possible. The filming of each of the plays provides close ups as well as expansive views of the scene. The sets are well designed and the costumes are first rate. The ensemble company does an outstanding job of giving life to their characters.

In some ways, PPE is like going to the theater right in your own home with all the quality of acting and production that STNJ is so well known for. I went to the Back Yard Stage to see Shaw, Shaw, Shaw. I enjoyed seeing it again through the PPE. The enhanced visuals and sound gave me an entirely different perspective on the plays.

The Three Plays

The three works by George Bernard Shaw are good selections to use to open this new Entertainment source. Bonnie J. Monte directs. Each play is light with just enough humor in spots to give viewers an enjoyable experience. The three plays are Overruled – Passion, Poison and Petrifaction or The Fatal Gazogene – and Village Wooing.

A scene from Village Wooing by George Bernard Shaw. Directed by Bonnie J. Monte. Pictured is Katja Yacker. Photo by Avery Brunkus.

Overruled takes place on a ship out to sea for a pleasure cruise where two couples flirt with each other. It is a fast paced look at how men and women look at and regard each other. It runs approximately 42 minutes.

Passion, Poison and Petrifaction or The Fatal Gazogene is the lightest and perhaps the most whimsical of the three. It involves some slapstick comedy as an impending thunder storm approaches. It runs approximately 20 minutes.

The third play, Village Wooing, is thought to be the best known of the three. It covers three conversations that take place over a one year period between a man and a woman. They initially meet on a luxury ocean liner and eventually meet again in a small village and then a small village shop. The female character eventually wins out with what she wants. And the man is willing, eventually! This play runs just under an hour.

Accessing These Plays

Tickets to the individual plays cost $10, and a package containing all three Shaw plays will run $25. Tickets are on sale at www.ShakespeareNJ.org, or patrons may call the Box Office at (973) 408-5600 for more information.  

Be sure to indulge your theater appetite with a visit to the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey’s Pandemic Playhouse Entertainment offerings. View the productions on your computer or get technology savvy and transmit to a nice big screen television set right in your own home. Turn the lights down, pull up a glass of your favorite beverage, relax, and enjoy.

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