Bobby Conte Thornton and Teal Wicks will star in Last Days of Summer at George Street Playhouse
A new musical titled Last Days of Summer opens the new season at New Brunswick’s George Street Playhouse. The show is based on the best-selling novel by Steve Kluger. Jeff Calhoun of Newsies on Broadway will direct the production. The show features music by Grammy Award winner Jason Howland (Little Women).
Leading the cast is Teal Wicks, fresh from her Broadway performance as Lady Cher in The Cher Show. Bobby Conte Thornton from Broadway’s A Bronx Tale also stars.
The cast features a number of Broadway favorites, including Danny Binstock (Breakfast at Tiffany’s), Don Stephenson (A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder), Mylinda Hull (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels), Will Burton (Hello Dolly!), and Christine Pedi (Chicago).
They are joined by other cast members including Julian Lerner, Parker Weathersbee, Gilberto Moretti-Hamilton, Sabatino Cruz, and Jeslyn Zubrycki. Rounding out the cast are Peter Saide, Sean Watkinson, Julio Rey, and Junior Mendez.
Press notes describe the new musical as follows:
Joe Margolis and his young son open an old box of letters that transport Joe back to his youth in Brooklyn and the summer of 1942—when young Joey and his best friend Craig are writing fan letters to their hero Charlie Banks, the star third baseman of the New York Giants. Amid the tumultuous events of World War II, Joey and Charlie forge an unlikely friendship that might be the very thing they both need. Last Days of Summer features a new score of Big-Band sounds and Jazz music of the era.
Last Days of Summer will be the first show in George Street Playhouse’s new home in the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center in downtown New Brunswick.
Performances begin October 15. To purchase tickets, buy a subscription, or learn more about George Street Playhouse at the state-of-the-art New Brunswick Performing Arts Center, visit www.GeorgeStreetPlayhouse.org.
‘The Exes’ by Lenore Skomal, Directed by Magda S. Nyiri, Theatre Row Photo Credit – Emily Hewitt.
The Exes – A Review
Playing at New York’s Theatre Row is a new play titled The Exes. Lenore Skomal is the playwright who captures a wedding day involving three people formerly married to each other. By using strong characters, Skomal creates a day that is humorous with some interesting insights into their lives. The play has some very funny moments and the characters Skomal creates give the play the life it needs to lift it off the ground.
The Characters Make the Story
Directed by Magda S. Nyiri, the play opens as Richard Killingworth, prepares for the wedding of his daughter on a very snowy day in Boston. Tim Hayes plays Killingworth, a billionaire who makes money by taking on unique products, getting them off the ground, then selling off for good profits. His current one fits well with the wedding as it is a boutonniere branded “Boutonn-EVERS” so named as the flowers are somehow supposed to live on.
An interesting set is used for this show featuring retro style furniture and accessories. In some ways, the set looks like a scene out of the 60’s and some of the attitudes of the main characters reflect that as well.
David Farrington plays Dick Wright, a friend of Richard’s. He enters the apartment without the aid of Richard’s butler, an Englishman named Prim. John Coleman Taylor plays the role of Prim. His name is a good fit as he is a formal styled man who adheres to the traditions of the British butler and is quite put out when people don’t adhere to their expected roles. Dick Wright is more than just a friend to Richard; he was the first husband of Mavis, who was married to Richard but is now separated. Dick is headed to the wedding but enjoying some drinks with Richard when Dick’s son Garrett arrives. Galen Molk plays the son who likes his dad but also seems to look up to Richard.
And then Mavis Killington unexpectedly arrives. It is a tough time for Richard and Dick as she goes about making herself comfortable. A very prevalent feature of Richard is his continual need to be on the phone working. Even though it is daughter’s wedding day, he doesn’t stop. And thus the problem with Mavis comes out. She had an affair while still married to Richard causing their separation a year ago. Karen Forte plays Mavis who has discovered another person to give her the love she seeks.
‘The Exes’ by Lenore Skomal, Directed by Magda S. Nyiri, Theatre Row – Photo Credit – Emily Hewitt
Enter The Bride and Marcel
So finally the bride enters. And what an entrance it is! She is lovely, her dress is lovely, even her ugg boots are lovely. However, to sum her up, she is a cliché; nothing original about her. Alison Preece plays Victoria who is in a panic because she still has not gotten her husband-to-be to sign a prenuptial agreement. She consumes a lot of champagne as she comes running to daddy begging for his help. Richard takes over and handles it allowing her to go back to her silly existence and the planned wedding.
A high point in the show happens when Mavis’ lover arrives. However, when he comes onstage just as the first act ends. he is not what one expects. Kyle Porter completely takes over the play as Marcel Nistlerood, Mavis’ colorful and over the top lover. His signature bow got the audience laughing as the players on stage looked like they could not believe what they were seeing.
The Plot Thickens
It takes awhile for all the characters to be brought into the show. In fact, the first act does slow down a bit until Marcel arrives. But the second act moves well as problems get solved easily (maybe too easily) and everyone seems to get what they want.
If you step back and look at the layout of the characters, you have a total of seven in the play. Three are very pretty sturdy characters: Dick, Richard, and Garrett. Three others are more outrageous and comedy oriented: Marcel, Victoria, and Prim. That leaves one character, Mavis in the middle of both worlds. She has been married to two of the sturdy ones. But she left that life to enter the world of Marcel in search of love and acceptance. She also appears to have a solid relationship with Prim and she wants to be like a mother to Victoria. Playwright Skomal does a neat job of tying together the characters and the story with this division of personalities.
Final Thoughts on The Exes
Despite the fact that this is comedy, there is definitely more to The Exes than the laughs. In the end, Richard and Dick appear to have a better relationship. Dick may be the only one left intrigued with Richard. Richard is basically a boring guy, caring only for work. Mavis leaves both of them behind to pursue a new and more interesting life with Marcel. It says a lot about the values people discover about themselves through their trials and tribulations in life.
The Exes runs at Theatre Row, 411 W. 42nd Street, New York, through Oct. 5, 2019. For more information about the show and/or tickets, visit the Theatre Row website.
The Rainmaker. By N. Richard Nash. Directed by Bonnie J. Monte. The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey. Pictured (from left to right): Anthony Marble as Starbuck, Monette Magrath as Lizzie Curry. Photo credit: Joe Guerin
‘The Rainmaker’ – Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey – A Review
Now playing through Aug. 18, 2019 is The Rainmaker at The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey. This play is inspiring and very enjoyable to watch. There is just something special about this production that totally held my interest. The story is one for the ages as it involves struggles many people go through in their lives. It is both moving and enchanting as it gives hope to anyone who doubts their own virtues and gifts. A brilliant cast performs, and the staging is very well done.
Written by N. Richard Nash, this production is directed by the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey’s Artistic Director, Bonnie J. Monte. Ms. Monte also serves as Scenic Designer for the show. In her Director’s Notes, she writes that The Rainmaker “is too often dismissed as a romantic comedy . . . It certainly is romantic. . . and it has many funny moments, but it is an intense drama – one that is often brutal in its honesty and in the pain that its characters go through.”
The pain of change is brought out with fine acting from the cast. Referring again to Director Monte’s notes, she says: “The Rainmaker is a very difficult play to perform. It requires brave actors who are willing to be deeply vulnerable with each other and in front of an audience. I have been blessed with a cast of great skill, courage, and generous spirit.” The strength of the cast and the performances they deliver make this a play well worth seeing.
A Story that is Moving and Enchanting
The Rainmaker centers on the Curry family who live on a ranch. No specific state or town is mentioned; it is assumed to be someplace out West on a summer day during a drought. A fine job was done on this set to allow the Curry home to be on one side and the Sheriff’s office on the other. Additionally, side pieces create an illusion of private areas being used. The set is not elaborate. Instead, it reflects the signs of hard working people who are struggling to make a living.
H.C. Curry is the father of the family. Noah, Jim, and Lizzie are the grown up children. All three of them go through major changes in their lives during this show however, the main focus is on Lizzie. Lizzie is considered to be “plain” thus making it difficult to find a husband. Monette Magrath plays Lizzie. She does a remarkable job of showing a character who goes between doubting her own value as a woman and one who might see herself successful and happy one day.
Lizzie’s father, H.C. Curry, is trying to get her married. Played by Mark Elliot Wilson, this is a father to cherish because he is warn, supportive, believes in dreams, but also has some footing in reality. As the play opens, Lizzie returns from a visit out of town to try to connect with a potential mate. She has no luck so the search turns to File, who serves with Sheriff Thomas as the law enforcement in the area. Corey Sorenson plays the difficult role of File showing how complex the character is. His ability to carefully peel down the layers of the issues File carries with him is apparent in the end. File is able to begin a loving relationship with Lizzie. But the process of getting there is painful to watch.
Benjamin Eakeley plays Noah. Noah is a solid, hard working man who uses numbers to prove his points. Noah’s anger remains buried until he finally tells his father to be honest with Lizzie and that she is plain and won’t get married. Instead, the father tries to boost her confidence but to no avail. At the same time, younger brother Jim is making good progress with his new love interest in town. Isaac Hickox-Young makes Jim the most lovable character in the show. He’s young, funny, and willing to sample life.
Eventually, a plan is hatched to invite File to dinner.When he arrives, it is a bit of a disaster because he holds back and Lizzie does not have the confidence to pursue him either. Also, Sheriff Thomas, played by Nick Plakias, begins talking to people about a con man who is due to be in their territory. The Sheriff’s role shows the concerns of law enforcement about this type of character and so it is no surprise when the rainmaker, named Starbuck, enters the show. He manages to get H.C. to hire him to create rain. The reactions of the family are interesting to watch because each suspects that this man will not create rain. Even H.C. isn’t certain; but he feels it is worth a try.
The Rainmaker as a Character in the Show
Anthony Marble plays the the rainmaker named Starbuck. From the moment of his initial entrance, he creates a character with a mystique surrounding him. He is fascinating and a little frightening at the same time. He is a con man, no doubt. He asks people to pay him to make rain and it never comes from what he does. He has a magical personality and lots of creativity in him that absolutely enchants Lizzie. He is also magical to Lizzie because he helps her see things that are beautiful about herself. In turn, she creates magic for him when rain suddenly starts to fall.
The scene where the rain falls is wonderfully done in this show. Lizzie captures the essence of the moment that fulfills Starbuck’s promise. There is no actual rain that falls on stage. However, the way she holds back her head facing the heavens and allows the “rain” to coat her face is enough to allow us to believe it is happening. It is a glorious moment in the show.
The Rainmaker. By N. Richard Nash. Directed by Bonnie J. Monte. The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey. Pictured (from left to right): Anthony Marble as Starbuck, Monette Magrath as Lizzie Curry, Isaac Hickox-Young as Jimmy Curry. Photo credit: Joe Guerin.
The relationship between Starbuck and Lizzie is warm and refreshing to watch. He inspires her to believe in her own uniqueness and suddenly she doesn’t project plainness anymore.
A Show Worth Seeing
The Rainmaker is an ideal show for people of all ages to see. It has moments of humor, reflection, family, and personal growth. It seems like a lot to cover in a little over 2 hours; but this production is so well paced and so well staged that you can take it all in.
Unfortunately, The Rainmaker is only running through Sunday, August 18, 2019. It plays on the Main Stage of The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, The F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Avenue (at Lancaster Road), Madison, New Jersey.
For tickets and information: Call 973-408-5600 or visit ShakespeareNJ.org.
If I had the ability to create some magic, I would want to see this show continue on for a while either in Madison or on a nice stage in New York City. It is a rare moment in the theater and one that Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey can be very proud of.
