‘The Sting’ Celebrates Opening Night at Paper Mill Playhouse

Posted on April 11, 2018 by Karen Nowosad

‘The Sting’ at Paper Mill Playhouse; Photo by Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade; Center: Harry Connick, Jr. (Henry Gondorff) and the company of The Sting.

The world premiere production of the new musical The Sting, based on the 1973 film, opened Sunday night, April 8, at the Paper Mill Playhouse. The house was packed with people to see the new production which has a book by Bob Martin and music and lyrics by Mark Hollmann and Greg Kotis with Harry Connick, Jr.  The score also contains music by Scott Joplin including “The Entertainer.” John Rando directs The Sting with choreography by Warren Carlyle and music direction by Fred Lassen. The Sting performs on the Paper Mill’s stage now through Sunday, April 29, 2018.

The principal cast stars Harry Connick, Jr. as Henry Gondorff, with Peter Benson as The Erie Kid, Janet Dacal as Loretta, Christopher Gurr as J.J. Singleton, J. Harrison Ghee as Johnny Hooker, Tom Hewitt as Doyle Lonnegan, Richard Kline as Kid Twist, Kevyn Morrow as Luther, Kate Shindle as Billie, and Robert Wuhl as Snyder.

Rounding out the cast are Lucien Barbarin, Darius Barnes, Keely Beirne, Michael Fatica, Luke Hawkins, Tyler Huckstep, Matt Loehr, Erica Mansfield, Drew McVety, Ramone Owens, Tyler Roberts, Angie Schworer, Christine Shepard, Britton Smith, Sherisse Springer, Diana Vaden, Kevin Worley and Lara Seibert Young.

The production team includes set design by Beowulf Boritt, costume design by Paul Tazewell, lighting design by Japhy Weideman, sound design by Randy Hansen, hair and wig design by Charles G. LaPointe, make up design by Cookie Jordan, vocal arrangements by Fred Lassen, dance arrangements by David Chase, orchestrations by Doug Besterman, and fight coordinator Robert Westley. The production stage manager is Bonnie L. Becker. Casting is by Tara Rubin Casting, Tara Rubin, CSA.

After the show, the members of the cast and creatives stopped by the Red Carpet at an after party. Here are some photos from that event.

All photos by Lianne Schoenwiesner of Spotlights Photography.

Director John Rando and Mark S. Hoebee, Producing Artistic Director of the Paper Mill Playhouse

J. Harrison Ghee and Harry Connick Jr.

Peter Benson, J. Harrison Ghee, Harry Connick, Jr., and Mark Hoebee

J. Harrison Ghee, John Rando, and Harry Connick, Jr.

Kate Shindle and Harry Connick, Jr.

Kate Shindle, Harry Connick, Jr., J. Harrison Ghee, and Jane Dacal

Ramone Owens, Matt Loehr, Erica Mansfield, Darius Barnes, and Luke Hawkins

J. Harrison Ghee and Kevyn Morrow

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‘Goldstein’ Unlocks Family Secrets

Posted on April 8, 2018 by Karen Nowosad

The cast of “Goldsetin” – Photo credit Jeremy Daniel

Goldstein is a new Off-Broadway musical playing at the Actor’s Temple Theatre in New York City. Based on a book by Charlie Shulman, it is about the lives of a Jewish family and their interrelationships. This story could be about any family because the themes portrayed are universal.  Not only does Goldstein has an interesting story line enhanced by fine music by Michael Roberts, it also provides strong development of the characters, and an ensemble cast who turn in superb performances.

Directed by Brad Rouse, the show opens with an introduction by the character Louis Goldstein who has written a tell all family memoir. The book is successful, but the family does not understand why. They claim that the stories in it are not true. Secrets have been kept throughout the lives of these family members and when they are revealed in this book, there is disbelief. Through storytelling and very descriptive and melodic music, the truth is eventually told.

Goldstein begins with Zelda as an immigrant on a ship to America. She meets and falls in love with another passenger. Their plans to be together do not work out, so she marries Louie Goldstein. The couple work hard and eventually buy a dress shop in Elizabeth, NJ. A family comes along including a son, Nathan, and a daughter, Sherri.  Although dad Louie is a pacifist, he his proud when son serves in World War II. During that time, Nathan suffers a great trauma. As he struggles to find peace within himself, he decides to go to medical school, a dream which was denied to his sister, Sherri. Sherri is told to behave and go to college but that’s about all she can expect other than the joys of marriage and motherhood. Nathan marries Eleanor and they have two children: Louis, the book writer, and Miriam. As the story progresses, pieces of information are passed along to various family members without others knowing it.  Eventually in the end, all hear what has happened. In a very ethereal manner, the needs of the deceased are addressed as well as the family members still alive.

The characters in the show are developed very carefully so that facets of their personality are exposed to help explain the family dynamics. Zelda  is the real strength of the family. Her strength leads to situations which cause problems for others, yet she believes she is doing it for the best. She denies Sherri the opportunity to go to medical school but rejoices when Nathan attends one.

These are the types of things that build resentments and anger within families and are difficult to resolve.  But using the words in an advertisement for this show might describe it best:  “in a world that does so much to pull us apart, Goldstein is a musical that shows us a way to come back together.”  There is a sense of acceptance and forgiveness as the play concludes. It comes gently and it provides an opportunity for reflection on how families come to terms with issues and move on.

The ensemble cast works well together.  It includes Megan McGinnis (Sherri), Julie Benko (Miriam), Amie Bermowitz (Zelda), Aaron Galligan-Stierle (Nathan), Zal Owen (Louis), Sarah Beth Pfeifer (Eleanor), and Jim Stanek (Louie).

This was a most enjoyable show to see. It is a musical that will give you a lot to think about and relate to your own family.

additional information about ‘goldstein’

Running Time:  Approximately 90 minutes; no intermission

Location:  The Actor’s Temple Theatre, 339 West 47th Street, New York City

Performances: Mondays through Thursdays at 7:30PM, Saturdays at 8PM with matinees on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 3PM

Contact for Info and Tickets: Tickets are are available by visiting  www.goldsteinmusical.com or calling (212) 239-6200.

Suggested Audience:  Family friendly!

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‘Trying’ a Tender and Touching Story Of Relationships

Posted on March 23, 2018 by Karen Nowosad

‘Trying’ by Joanna McClelland Glass, directed by Jim Jack at George Street Playhouse. Shown are Carly Zien and Philip Goodwin. Photo Credit: T Charles Erickson© T Charles Erickson Photographytcepix@comcast.net

In the midst of all the nor’easters hitting New Jersey, George Street Playhouse continues to offer theater goers a reason to get out of the house! Their latest offering, Trying, is a tender and touching portrayal of two people dealing with each other in the midst of critical points in their lives. This drama by Playwright Joanna McClelland Glass was first presented by the Joshua Stephen Kartes Victory Gardens Theatre in Chicago in 2004. It won the prestigious Jefferson Award for Best New Play. It then moved to the Promenade Theatre In New York City for the fall/winter of 2004 – 2005.

Jim Jacks directs Trying which is based on the real life experiences the Playwright had when she was secretary to Judge Francis Biddle. Judge Biddle graduated from Harvard Law School. In addition to his work in the field of law, he served as U.S. Attorney General from 1941 – 1945. He is widely known for serving as Chief Judge of the Nuremberg trials and his opposition to Japanese internment camps during World War II. He also authored a number of books.

With such an illustrious career, Judge Biddle was in demand to provide writings and information to the publishing community. This play focuses on the final year of his life with him still trying to work but hampered by health and memory issues. When Sarah comes for her first day of work, she learns that many secretaries have come and gone before her, some even going into the bathroom to cry. Her determination to make the job work out is evident from the start. But the problem becomes convincing Judge Biddle of that. Sarah comes from an entirely different world than that of her employer. She grew up on a farm in Saskatchewan, Canada. Midway through the play, she finds that she is pregnant but uncertain about how well her marriage is going.

The beauty of this play lies in watching the relationship as it unfolds and develops. Seeing two people from very different backgrounds and with a wide gap in their ages provides many potential hazards to the eventual conclusion. The fact that the relationship does work out is a testament to both of them and the unique qualities that they discover about each other. There is also a learning process that they take on this journey of discovery that is at times bumpy, but other times absolutely heartwarming.

Philip Goodwin plays Judge Francis Biddle and Carly Zien plays Sarah. Goodwin moves around the stage as an older man whose strength and stamina are leaving him in a most believable manner. His delivery of his lines is sharp when needed but very understanding of his young worker at times making his character a good study of an older man still willing to give to society but hampered by his failing health. Zien gives good life to her character. Her movements are smooth and well designed to show the strength of a youthful body. Her ability to ask her employer the right questions in order to draw him out are refreshing to watch and Ms. Zien does it with a lightness needed in the situation.

The set is by Set Designer Jason Simms and it provides a lovely area for the play. The furniture shows the orderliness that Judge Biddle expects of his life. But it also has reminders of the way he needs to rest more often which interferes with getting as much done as he would like. That interference allows Sarah to step up and help out. This gives her more confidence in her own abilities and the chance to grow both in her own eyes and those of her mentor, Judge Biddle.

This play is appropriate for people of all ages except perhaps very young children. Anyone who has ever had the responsibility for the care of an older person will easily relate to the story. Likewise, older people who have younger ones in their lives will find a lot to cherish from the story as well.

Additional Information

Running Time: 2 hours which includes one intermission

Location: George Street Playhouse, 103 College Farm Road, New Brunswick, NJ

Performances: Now through April 8, 2018

Contact for Info and Tickets: Theater website – georgestreetplayhouse.org

 

 

 

 

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