Science Theater Company Formed

Logo of company from their Facebook page

A new theater company is running in New York City. Founded by Producer Eric Krebs, The Science Theater Company “uses the magic of theatre to make science fun.” As the need to provide more emphasis on STEM courses in schools grows, this is one very clever idea. There are two current shows running and one more which will open in September.

The first show of this grouping which is still running is That Physics Show which won the 2017 Drama Desk Award for “Unique Theatrical Experience.” The show has run nearly 500 performances as it approaches its third year in November. It features physics wizard David Maiullo who based the show on the notion that “It’s Not Magic, it’s Physics!” In addition to running in New York, That Physics Show recently opened in Beijing, China in a Mandarin version.

The second is That Chemistry Show which is now in its second year. This show was created by Borislaw Bilash, a, long time chemistry professor and educator. It includes some 30 demonstrations, each with a name range from “Dragon’s Breath and “Elephant Toothpaste” to “Exploding Cloud” and “Genie in a Bottle.”

The newest show begins September 15. Titled That Inventions Show, it is presented in association with “The Museum of Interesting Things” and its founder Denny Daniel. The show will trace the history of inventions from 1850 to the present. Scheduled for inclusion are hands-on demonstrations of the first sound recordings, early projections and film, steam engines, telephones, ingenious toys and a multitude of other electric, electronic and mechanical inventions that have led to our current world.

Additional Information about Science Theater Company

For more information, a full schedule of performances and to purchase tickets, go to the website at www.sciencetheatercompany.com.

Performances of these shows are at The Playroom Theater, 151 West 46 Street, between Broadway and Sixth Avenue.

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‘Blithe Spirit’ Returns to Madison NJ

‘Blithe Spirit’ by Noël Coward. The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey 2018. Directed by Victoria Mack. Pictured (left to right): Kate MacCluggage as Ruth, Ames Adamson as Mr. Bradman, Tina Stafford as Madame Arcati, and Brent Harris as Charles. Photo credit: Jerry Dalia.

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey continues its 56th season with a production of the play Blithe Spirit by Noël Coward. This British comedy delights audiences as it brings a teasing of the supernatural to the stage. Blithe Spirit is one of Coward’s most popular plays. It has been over 20 years since The Shakespeare Theatre presented this production.

A brief synopsis of the story of Blithe Spirit is as follows:

When an eccentric medium is asked to conduct a séance as an evening’s entertainment at the country home of Charles and Ruth Condomine, their pristine English country house is turned upside down when Elvira, the stylish ghost of Charles’s past wife is conjured up. Hilarious mayhem ensues as the wife from the afterlife and the wife from this life battle over Charles’ affections.

The play has good, crisp dialog that assists the funny situations which arise.  The characters include socialite Charles Condomine, Ruth Condomine, his second wife, Elvira Condomine, his first wife and ghostly presence, Madame Arcati, a medium, Doctor Bradman, a friend, Mrs Bradman, his wife and Edith, a maid.  There are surprises along the way that add to an enjoyable plot.

Victoria Mack, a member of the Theatre’s Company makes her STNJ directing debut. The cast includes Company favorites Brent Harris, Tina Stafford, Ames Adamson, and Susan Maris who are joined by Kate MacCluggage of The 39 Steps fame.

Single tickets for Blithe Spirit begin at $49. The Theatre also offers the 30 UNDER 30 program for the 2018 season. Patrons aged 30 and under can purchase tickets for only $30 with a valid ID, subject to availability. For tickets, patrons can call the Box Office at 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org. Purchases can also be made at the Box Office right at the the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre located at 36 Madison Avenue in Madison, NJ.

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

Special Performances
  • For the same price as a regular ticket, the Symposium Series performances offer a post-show discussion with the cast and artistic staff. For Blithe Spirit, the symposia will be held following the Tuesday, August 21 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, August 25 at 2:00 p.m., and Saturday, September 1 at 2:00 p.m. performances.
  • The Know the Show pre-show talks are offered free-of-cost. Prior to the show, an artist from The Shakespeare Theatre presents a pre-performance talk providing background information and an inside perspective on the production. This program is free with the purchase of a performance ticket, and for Blithe Spirit will be held on Thursday, August 23 at 7:00 p.m., with the show beginning at 8:00 p.m.
  • Captioned performances and Audio Described performances are also available. The captioned performance for Blithe Spirit will be on Sunday, August 19 at 7:30 p.m. For more information, please contact the Box Office. The Audio Described performance for Blithe Spirit will be on Sunday, August 26 at 7:30 p.m.

 

 

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West 44th Street Hosts Two New Rock-Oriented Shows

Photos – K. Nowosad

Broadway’s West 44th Street hosts two new rock-oriented shows as Head Over Heels and Gettin’ the Band Back Together play. These two shows are playing door apart on on the 100 block of West 44th Street between 7th and 6th Avenues. Both are in recently renovated theaters where the work shines beautifully through. Of course both shows are uniquely different from each other with their story lines. But the biggest difference is that one is a jukebox musical and one has an original music score.

Photo – K. Nowosad

The jukebox musical is Head Over Heels. Playing at the Hudson Theatre, Head Over Heels uses the music of the fabulous all girl band The Go-Go’s. The score incorporates more than 15 of the group’s most popular songs including The storyline is basically an Elizabethan farce about a royal family trying to prevent an oracle’s prediction of doom . The show is the first Broadway musical to feature an openly transgender performer in an original role written for the stage ― “RuPaul’s Drag Race” runner-up Peppermint. It also features Andrew Durand, Taylor Iman Jones, Jeremy Kushnier, Bonnie Milligan, Tom Alan Robbins, Alexandra Socha, Rachel York

Photo – K. Nowosad

Gettin’ the Band Back Together plays at the beautiful Belasco Theatre. This newly opened Broadway show is in previews. I enjoyed the show when it played at George Street Playhouse and I reviewed it on this site. I went to see it this week and enjoyed it again. The Broadway version updates and enhances some of the features of the show from the run at George Street. The show keeps its good- natured humor and the laughs come often. This is a good show for the entire family to see. It is also a show with original music.

The show stars MaryLou Henner in the role of the hip mom. Her son is played by Mitchell Jarvis. His band mates include Jay Klaitz, Manu Narayan, Paul Whitty, and Sawyer Nunes. Brandon Williams plays the bad guy in town and Kelli Barrett plays the high school girlfriend left behind.

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