A new play titled The Pitch is now open Off-Broadway at the Actor’s Temple Theatre. Written by Tom Alper, The Pitch could qualify as a dark comedy as it focuses on personal and work experiences of one man. Directed by Mike Keller, The Pitch is loosely based on events in Playwright Alper’s own life. He also plays the lead role with a character name of Tom.
What ensues and develops throughout the show is funny at times and a bit mysterious as well. You get the feeling that something is going on beneath the surface but you aren’t quite sure until you come towards the end of the play. The revelation makes sitting through the entire performance well worth it.
The Story
The setting for the play is in Torrance, California in 2006. The office is no-frills where desks with telephones prevail.
Tom (Tom Alper) is introduced as a widow who cares for his teenage daughter, Michelle (Sammi O’Connor). Trying to do the right thing for her is a full time job for Tom. In fact, it is his only job. He needs work. After meeting with an employee of Nexus one night at a bar, he lands a job there.
One his first day, Tom attempts to find out what the job is all about. Eventually, he discovers that the purpose of the business is to sell electronic components. Selling is the name of the game here. Even if it means selling refurbished components without telling that to the customer.
However, Tom realizes quickly on he has to do very well after I.R.S. agent Mel (Phil Hendrie) informs him that he owes back taxes. Consequences are high. Tom accepts a deal to be an informant for the government on the actions of the company. Not a comfortable spot to be in.
Tom steps up to the plate quickly as he attempt to sell to Angela (Julie Tran) on the telephone.This is one of the funniest scenes in the play as Tom romances Angels into a big sale. And suddenly, he is at the top of the heap in the office, impressing even big boss Mike (Joe Lorenzo).
The ending is very surprising. As I wrote in the beginning of this review, I said the play is both funny and poignant. And here comes the poignant with the ending. But bear in mind one statement that Mike makes and it will make sense when you see this play: Mike thinks of the employees who work at Nexus as his family.
The Characters
The story is well carried out by the characters who work in the office. Nicknames are reverently given and used with the exception of the big boss, Mike. You meet: Skunk (Joey Russo), The Kid (Connor Killeen), Ricky Roy (Mario Corry), and Scramby (Kevin Bartini).
Dialog is funny and well written to allow the characters to show various sides of themselves.
The set is open allowing the characters to display how a real office doing this kind of work might actually look.
Go to See The Pitch
The Pitch is an enjoyable show to see. The cast does a superb job of telling the story.
It runs now through November 17, 2025 at the Actor’s Temple Theatre on W. 47th Street. Visit their website for more information and to purchase tickets.
A scene from Mint Theater Company’s Crooked Cross (from left to right) Samuel Adams, Douglas Rees, Ella Stevens, Jack Mastrianni, Gavin Michaels, Katie Firth, Liam Craig, and Jakob Winter. (Photo credit: Todd Cerveris Photography).
The photo introducing this article shows an early scene in Mint Theater Company’s current offering, Crooked Cross. Written by Sally Carson with direction by Jonathan Bank, the photo shows a joyous scene from the play. It demonstrates how people can come together no matter their faith or political beliefs. Unfortunately, those gracious feelings change and dissolve as the story unfolds.
Crooked Cross is set in a small village in the Bavarian Alps. It opens in 1932 when fascism through the Nazi Party begins its rise. Family members begin their association with the Party for a variety of reasons. Some of those reasons seem pretty realistic. Crooked Cross does a superb job of showing that behind those reasons lies a more sinister reality which splits friends and family apart.
The play provides a strong story line developed by historic fact. However, at the time this was written, those facts were just starting to be discovered. It is fascinating to see the way playwright Carson has insights into the potential for future actions which of course we now know turned disastrous. Those sweet moments decorating and singing around the Christmas tree will be a final happy memory for those involved.
Come to see this show prepared to see this production unfold its story through strong acting and a solid production. As Mint Theater Company does so well, the staging is first rate adding to a greater understanding of what is taking place.
Background
Writer Sally Carson’s novel, Crooked Cross, provides the basis for this play. Carson wrote the novel in 1933 and it was published the next year. Note that Hitler came into power as Chancellor of Germany in 1933.
The book was adapted into a successful play in 1935. Carson followed it with two sequels before her death from cancer in 1941, by which time the prescience of her fiction had become appallingly evident.
At a post-show talk in 1935, Carson spoke about the generation coming of age in Germany after the Great War, World War I:
The German youth had been brought up to believe that their country was ‘beaten’ and ‘second-class.’ They developed a feeling of inferiority… Then along came Hitler who said, ‘You are not second rate and you are not going to be.’ This creed inspired the young people. ..Whether he will continue to bamboozle the people much longer, no one knows.
Content from this quote demonstrates what Carson uses as a basis for Crooked Cross. Startling at the time but also realistic.
First published in 1934, Persephone Books reissued the long out-of-print novel this April. Laura Freeman, writing about the novel’s re-issue in The Times said the following:
“It was written as a warning then and its message sounds just as urgently today as we worry about lost boys, strong men and old hatreds. If you have ever wondered how a nation was hooked and hypnotized by the Nazi party, Crooked Cross explains it with awful force.”
And therein lies the power of this play. It shows how ordinary, good people were caught up into the Nazi spectrum. It also serves as a reminder that the same thing can happen today or any time in the future.
The Story
Crooked Cross centers on two families: the Kluger and the Weissmann families. Both are facing the economic and political challenges of life in a quaint village in the Bavarian mountains. The story begins at Christmas 1932 and runs through June, 1933.
Lexa Kluger is engaged to Moritz Weissmann, a Jewish doctor. Despite being a doctor of good skills and reputation, Moritz looses his job with no reason given. Lexa’s brothers, Helmy and Erich, are becoming increasingly involved with the Nazi party. Their reasons for joining the party come from the difficult conditions they live under. Their desire to have a better life draws them into the impending darkness that Nazism brings with it although it is not as publicly evident at that time.
The play shows the struggle Lexa has with her family concerning her engagement to Moritz. Her parents’ concern is further complicated by the fine care Mr. Kluger received as a patient from Moritz as a health care professional.
Eventually, each person involved makes decisions which will determine the course of their lives. Be alert to the ending, it is startling. The day I saw this play, a number of people came out of the theater to discuss what happened. Tells you a lot about how well produced this show is.
Outstanding Cast and Crew
Mr. Bank directs a fine cast which features the following people: Samuel Adams, Liam Craig, Katie Firth, Jack Mastrianni, Gavin Michaels, Ben Millspaugh, Douglas Rees, Ella Stevens, and Jakob Winter.
The creative team includes Alexander Woodward (scenic design), Hunter Kaczorowski (costume design), Christian DeAngelis (lighting design), Sean Hagerty (sound design), Chris Fields (prop design), Joey Moro (projection design), Stephanie Klapper (casting director). and Amy Stoller (dramaturgy).
Final Thoughts about Crooked Cross
One would think that Sally Carson had a crystal ball when she wrote her novel Crooked Cross. Her ability to delve into the feelings of people living at that time in Germany allows the story to present both sides of a tragic issue. Her death in 1941 denied her of the chance to see how on target her writing was. Thanks goes to Mint Theater Company for bringing this forgotten work back to life on the New York stage.
Crooked Cross plays an Off-Broadway engagement at Theatre Row (410 West 42nd Street) It has a limited run through November 1st.
Tickets and are information are available on Mint Theater’s Website.
Mint Theater Company “finds and produces worthwhile plays from the past that have been lost or forgotten.” If you have never been to a Mint Theater Company production, this is a good first one to see. The high quality of their productions is consistent which makes for a fine visit to the theater.
Billie Wyatt as Juliet, Raphael Nash Thompson as Friar Laurence, and Isaac Hickox-Young as Romeo. Photo by Avery Brunkus.
The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (STNJ) presents Romeo and Juliet at the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre from September 10 – October 5, 2025. Attending this show will remind you of why it is one of the most popular and influential plays in literature.
Directed by Bonnie J. Monte, this production is beautiful and powerful. Strange how after so many years it has that special quality where it is relevant to the atmosphere prevalent in society today. Director Monte stated that concept very well:
What’s happening all over the world, and especially here in America, has given me a whole new, visceral understanding of the ‘civil strife’ that occurs in Romeo and Juliet. I don’t think that American artists have, for the most part, dealt with the ‘hate half’ of the play effectively,” said Monte. “Most of the productions I have seen, including my own, have dealt with the ‘love half’ of the play much more successfully. But without the equal, though horrendous, power of hate providing an equal, opposing force for the conflict, we really don’t do justice to what Shakespeare is trying to make us feel and comprehend.
Director Monte’s statement reiterates the concept that the genus of Shakespeare’s writing brings on new revelations with the circumstances of the time. Romeo and Juliet speaks about young love but it is more than that. The production at STNJ uses stripped down but functional sets to allow the characters to shine though. The costumes are lovely. The sword fighting is gripping. But most of all, the well delivered acting is what stands out.
A Classic Story
Romeo and Juliet centers on two feuding families, the Montagues and the Capulets. They fight in public and regard the family opposite of theirs as an enemy. After a sword fight in the town square, Romeo learns about a ball that the Capulets are hosting. In an attempt to see the love of his life, Rosaline, Romeo goes in disguise to the ball.
The scenes at the ball are beautifully done as lovely costumes abound. The appearance of the Capulet house uses soft lighting creating a romantic effect. At the ball, Romeo sees Juliet and falls instantly in love with her.
So smitten is Romeo that he remains behind near the Capulet house waiting to see Juliet. And thus, the famous balcony scene takes place where the couple declare their love for each other. Several well known phrases are heard: Juliet asks: “O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?” Romeo asks: “But, soft, what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.” And finally, Juliet says: “Parting is such sweet sorrow.” Once again, the production uses soft lighting and a set that allows the actors to stand out. The balcony scene is delivered in respectful tones and ones that seeks the promise of fulfilling a love that each feels they deserve.
The couple decide to marry and the next day, Friar Laurence performs the wedding ceremony. In many ways, the understated tone of the ceremony provides a moment to reflect on the love that Romeo and Juliet are just beginning to share. Their joy after their marriage is apparent which makes the final death scenes hard to accept.
Following the ceremony more fighting breaks out and Romeo refuses to fight. However, in the heat of the fighting, Romeo kills Tybalt and is banished by the Prince. The intensity of the sword fighting stands out and it seems real at times.
Friar Laurence arranges for Romeo and Juliet to spend the night together before Romeo is banished. Unfortunately, not knowing about Juliet’s marriage to Romeo, her father, Lord Capulet arranges for her to marry Paris.
A Plan that Goes Wrong
A plan is hatched by Friar Laurence to give Juliet a sleeping formula that makes her appear dead. Word is supposed to be sent to Romeo about what has happened but he never gets it. When he arrives at the tomb he thinks Juliet is dead. He takes a mixture that kills him. As he is dying he says, “O true apothecary, Thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss I die.”
The darkness enveloping the stage creates an atmosphere of sadness. So when Juliet awakes and sees Romeo dead, she kills herself with these words: “O happy dagger, This is thy sheath: there rust, and let me die.”
Because of their children’s deaths, the families at last make peace. And the final words of the show are recited: F”or never was a story of more woe Than this of Juliet and her Romeo.” This final moment of reconciliation gives hope to all who watch that such resolutions are possible.
A Cast Who Delivers Exquisite Performances
There is a cast of fifteen, who all turn in wonderful performances.
In the lead roles are Billie Wyatt who plays the part of Juliet with Isaac Hickox-Young as Romeo. An interesting side note is that these two star crossed lovers are a real life couple. The pair first met during the Theatre’s 2019 Shakespeare LIVE! touring production of Romeo and Juliet. Perhaps that experience played a part in the way they approach their roles. It is delightful to see Juliet’s exuberant entrance on stage. The way she moves and her excitement of all that is going on around her makes you feel like you are watching a very young girl. Romeo projects his disappointment with his love of Rosaline just like a young, but inexperienced man might do.
The remainder of the cast includes: Celeste Ciulla as the Nurse, Dino Curia as Paris, and Edward Furs as Prince Escalus, Robert S. Gregory appears as Lord Montague, Anthony Marble as Lord Capulet, Quentin McCuiston as Mercutio, and Raphael Nash Thompson as Friar Laurence. Aurea Tomeski plays Lady Capulet. Newcomers Christopher Atchison, Ryan N. Murray, Nicole Lawrie, Triever Sherwood, and Godswill Utionkpan are making their Main Stage debuts with this production.
Go to See Romeo and Juliet
I highly recommend going to see this production of Romeo and Juliet. Tickets can be purchased through the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey’s website. Tickets may also be purchased by contacting the Theatre’s Box Office.
This show runs until October 5, 2025 at the F. M. Kirby Shakepeare Theatre on the campus of Drew University in Madison, New Jersey. Free parking convenient to the entrance of the venue is available.
Special Events
The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey provides Special Events to help enhance your theatrical experiences. During the run of Romeo and Juliet, the following will take place:
Know-the-Show Series: Thursday, September 18th starting at 6:45 PM – A pre-show talk with the artistic team.
Sensory Seminar: Thursday, September 18th starting at 6:30 PM A pre-show experience for Blind/low-vision patrons.
The performance on September 18th will also include Closed-Captioning and Audio Description for patrons who require those services.
Storefront to Stage: Friday, September 19th starting at 6:30 PM – A chance to meet and support local businesses before show and at intermission.
Symposium Series #2: Saturday, September 20th following matinee performance -A lively post-show chat with the cast and artistic team.
Hobnob & Hang: Friday, September 26th following performance – A chance to mix and mingle after the show. Complimentary bites and cash bar available.
Symposium Series #3: Saturday, September 27th following matinee performance – A lively post-show chat with the cast and artistic team.
Montague Masquerade: Friday, October 3rd starting at 6:30 PM = A richly romantic pre-show gathering hosted on the patio. Venetian masks encouraged!
