‘The Shakespeare Conspiracy’ Opens the Battle of the Bards

Posted on April 30, 2018 by Karen Nowosad

Mateo D’Amato in ‘The Shakespeare Conspiracy Photo Credit – Brian Pachelli

The Shakespeare Conspiracy is playing at Theater Row now through May 5. This play is the first of two productions that make up the “Battle Of The Bards: The Christopher Marlowe Festival.” If you are a fan of the conspiracy theories that question whether Shakespeare actually wrote his own works, you may enjoy seeing this show. The Shakespeare Conspiracy centers on the life of Christopher Marlowe who is regarded by many as the foremost playwright and poet of the Elizabethan era. The play is presented by Fledgling Theater Company who provide an imaginative representation of this time period and the questions arising from it.

Written by Ted Bacino and Rufus Cadigan, The Shakespeare Conspiracy examines two ideas:

1. How did William Shakespeare become England’s greatest playwright virtually overnight when he was just a nameless actor who had never written anything before?

2. How could Christopher Marlowe, known spy and the previous reigning playwright in England, be suspiciously murdered and quickly buried in an unmarked grave just days before he was to be tried for treason?

Mateo D’Amato & Josh Jacobson in ‘The Shakespeare Conspiracy’ – Photo Credit – Brian Pachelli

A dark atmosphere prevails at the start of the play and carries throughout the entire story.  Hooded figures are inside the theater as people find their seats. The play begins with the hooded beings carrying out something that represents a dead body to signify the time period when a plague was killing people.

Christopher Marlowe appears with his male lover as the background of their lives together plays out.  They learn of people who are being put on trial for treason and losing their lives.  So when the call comes from Marlowe to come to trial, a plot is set in motion to hide him by claiming he was killed. He remains hidden in the mansion where the two lovers live and  they recruit a very uneducated William Shakespeare to serve as the source to deliver the plays that Marlowe writes. The credit for writing goes to Shakespeare while Marlowe creates masterpieces all the while the world thinks he is dead. As he continues years of hiding,  a constable is high on his tail.  He suspects that Marlowe is still alive and he tries to track him and catch him. The plot has more twists and turns that bring it to quite a surprising ending.

Strong acting develops the characterization on stage which is so crucial to the story line.  Under the direction of Jeremy Karafin, suspense and downright scary moments at times  develop the plot and makes it very believable.  The cast features Matthew Dalton Lynch, Mateo d’Amato, Jevon Nicholson, James M. Arthur, Paul Marquez, Dontonio Demarco, Temesgen Tocruray and Josh Jacobson.

The black box theater used for this show is small. There are only about 50 seats. But this intimate setting allows the audience to really feel a part of the action taking place. The stage is small but it doesn’t hamper the actors it all. They utilize the entire length of the theater going right up into an area that could normally be used for seating. This use of the space allows the audience to really get a sense in the feel of movement and tension that is taking place in this story.

This really is a superb production to see.  The Shakespeare Conspiracy will peak your interest in this fabulous debate of ideas.  What you end up with as a conclusion might differ from the ideas you have going in.

Information About ‘The Shakespeare Conspiracy’

Running Time: 120 minutes with one intermission

Location: Studio Theatre, Theater Row, 410 W. 42nd Street, New York City

Performances: April 20, 21, 25, 26, 27, 28, May 2, 3, 4 and 5 at 7:30 p.m. and April 22nd, 29th at 2:00 p.m.

Contact for Info and Tickets: Theater Row’s website – http://www.theatrerow.org/

Suggested Audience: Theater goers who enjoy intense situations and mature situations

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‘The Metromaniacs’ Delivers a Feast of Language

Posted on April 29, 2018 by Karen Nowosad

A scene from ‘The Metromaniacs’ Photo credit Carol Rosegg

Crazy antics take place on stage at a new production titled The Metromaniacs.  It is funny, creative, and a most enjoyable show to see. Performing at 42nd Street Duke Theatre, this play comes from the Red Bull Theater and it runs through May 26, 2018.  If you are someone who enjoys good word plays on language with some finessing  and verse tossed in, this play is for you. The show has appeal for a wide range of audiences especially those who enjoy listening to the English language used in beautiful verse and superb presentation of ideas. A bit of background is in order to understand why.

The Metromaniacs is based on a French farce, La Métromanie,
by Alexis Piron. Piron lived from 1689-1773 and was one of the most widely produced comic writers of the 18th century.  Writer David Ives, who is well known for his incredible writing style (The Liar, Venus in Fur, All in the Timing)  came upon this work as he researched 17th and 18th century French comedies.  Mr. Ives writes that La Métromanie  is a comedy “with five plots, none of them important .  On the other hand, that’s the beauty of the play, and part of its delight.”

The Metromaniacs is the third play from a  successful partnership between David Ives as an “adaptor” and the director Michael Kahn. This show appeals to a wide range of audiences especially those who enjoy listening to the English language used in beautiful verse and superb presentation of ideas. Mr. Ives has said “I think everything should be in verse, ‘The New York Times’ and cookbooks should be in verse. Verse raises the level.” Verse certainly raises the level of this play. It provides a virtual feast for listening to language.

A scene from ‘The Metromaniacs’ Photo credit Carol Rosegg

The play is set in Spring, 1738 in Paris when poets and verse were all the rage.  The plot centers around two young men who come to Francalou’s home in search of love.  One, Damis, is a poet in search of a woman poet who he has never met but he believes he has finally located at this home. Dorante is not a literary source but in search of a wife. Their trials and tribulations tie in with Francalou’s desire to launch a new play he wrote.  There is a great deal of mistaken identity which adds to the comedy and the toll it takes on the characters that is, until the very end. Then, the mistaken identity becomes a joyful experience for all involved and it grants an ending that might be a little far-fetched, but not really considering the circumstances.

Perhaps it is best to refer to what Mr. Ives wrote about The Metromaniacs to best understand the story.  The play has “Characters drunk on language, mere mortals in love with poetry, fools in love with love. In other words, the way the world was meant to be.”

A scene from ‘The Metromaniacs’ Photo credit Carol Rosegg

The ensemble cast for The Metromaniacs includes Noah Averbach, Christian Conn, Adam Green, Peter Kybart, Adam LeFevre, Amelia Pedlow, and Dina Thomas. The versatility of the acting and the call to respond to comic antics create funny moments. For example, one of the props is what appears to be a fairly large sized boulder. However, when several players put their foot on it, the boulder shrinks down and the audience realizes it is nothing but an object that is soft. It is used several times during the play and it is funny every time.

Prepare to laugh and enjoy yourself when you go to see The Metromaniacs.  Also, bask in the beauty of the language as it unfolds the story for you.

Info about ‘the metromaniacs’

Running Time: Approx. 1 hour 45 minutes and one intermission

Location:  The Duke on 42nd Street, 229 West 42nd Street, between 7th & 8th Avenues, New York City.

Performances: Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8pm, with matinees select Wednesdays at 2pm, Saturdays at 2pm and Sundays at 3pm.  Show ends May 26, 2018.

Contact for Info and Tickets:  Visit Dukeon42.org or call 646/223-3010.  In person, regular box office hours at The Duke.

 

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‘The Sting’ Now a Musical at Paper Mill Playhouse

Posted on April 23, 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 Sting” was a huge hit movie back in 1973. It has a story line that keeps viewers in suspense until the very end with a wonderful cast including two superb actors in the lead roles. Women are portrayed as smart and skillful people. And finally, an amazing soundtrack of ragtime music with Scott Joplin’s “The Entertainer” is featured. Fast forward to 2018 and now The Sting is a musical premiering at Paper Mill Playhouse. The news is good for those who love the movie because that description about the movie could easily start a description of this show. There is all of that and a lot more to enjoy about this  new show.

The Sting at Paper Mill Playhouse has a book by Bob Martin. There is music and lyrics by Mark Hollmann and Greg Kotis. Harry Connick, Jr. also worked with the music and has written and contributed several new songs that are in the show. The score also contains music by Scott Joplin including “The Entertainer.” John Rando directs with choreography by Warren Carlyle and music direction by Fred Lassen.

The Sting at Paper Mill Playhouse; Photo by Jerry Dalia; Center: J. Harrison Ghee (Johnny Hooker) and the company of The Sting.

The story line for the musical The Sting centers around a group of professional grifters who basically make their living by stealing other people’s money.  Key to their success is not to have the person, or mark, realize it until they are gone.

As the show begins, the mark is a part of crime boss Doyle Lonnegan’s gang. There is a price that is paid in the form of a grifter, Luther, being killed. Johnny Hooker looks to avenge his friend’s death so he heads out to Chicago to meet up with Henry Gondorff who is one of the best grifters around. Together, they execute a plan to get Lonnegan by taking him for a large sum of money. The remainder of the show unfolds the plot to make this happen ending with the actual event taking place. It can be a complicated plot at times, and that adds value to the story and the show a whole.

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 story line is enhanced in this show by the inclusion of music and dance. The Sting opens with a  trombone solo by a member of Harry Connick Jr.’s band with that fabulous New Orleans’ flair. Mr. Connick’s character, Henry, is a piano player by trade.  This provides the chance for the audience to hear Mr. Connick’s fabulous talent both playing the instrument and singing several original compositions which he did for this show.  His voice has a marvelous tone;  it takes over the theater and provides some of the most wonderful moments in the show. The score and lyrics by Mark Hollmann and Greg Kotis are right on the money in reflecting the action and direction in which the story heads.  Choreography by Warren Carlyle includes outstanding tap dance numbers and some interpretive dance.

John Rando’s fine direction of this show shines in many areas particularly when it comes to the cast.  Just as the movie had two superb lead actors, this musical does the same with Harry Connick Jr. and J. Harrison Ghee as Johnny Hooker. In addition to them, the cast principles also include 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 Sting has many fine moments in it that make this a show well worth seeing. Time is short to see it at the Paper Mill Playhouse. The final performances will be Sunday, April 29, 2018.  Check today for tickets.

Related Article:

The Sting Celebrates Opening Night at the Paper Mill Playhouse 

Additional Information About The Sting:

Running Time: approx.. 2.5 hrs and one 15-minute intermission

Location: Paper Mill Playhouse, 22 Brookside Drive, Millburn, NJ

Performances: Wednesday through Sunday. The performance schedule is Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., Thursday at 1:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8:00 p.m., Saturday at 1:30 p.m. & 8:00 p.m. and Sunday at 1:30 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.

Accessibility Performances: Audio-described performances are on Sunday, April 22, at 1:30pm and Saturday, April 28, at 1:30pm. Prior to these performances at noon, the theater will offer free sensory seminars.

There will be a sign-interpreted and open-captioned performance on Sunday, April 29, at 7:00pm.

Free Audience Enrichment Activities::

Q&A with the Cast: After the matinee on Saturday, April 28, stick around for a lively Q&A with cast members directly following the performance.

Contact for Info and Tickets: Tickets may be purchased by calling 973.376.4343, at the Paper Mill Playhouse Box Office at 22 Brookside Drive in Millburn, or online at www.PaperMill.org.

Suggested Audience: Probably not for very little ones but this is one the entire family can go to!

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