Immersive Theater Makes ‘Counting Sheep’ Riveting and Memorable

Posted on December 10, 2017 by Karen Nowosad

the Lemon Bucket Orkestra and some members of the cast of ‘Counting Sheep.’ Photo Credit – Mati Bardosh Gelman

For those who believe that theater can a difference with the way people look at world issues, go see the U.S. premiere of the musical Counting Sheep. If you are not convinced that it can make a difference, then take a chance and go to see it now through its final performance on Sunday, December 17, 2017.  You will come out of that show with a whole new outlook on the power of live theater.

This show will rock you to your core.

Counting Sheep is an immersive theatrical experience which brings audiences inside the heart of the 2013 – 2014 Ukrainian revolution on Maidan Square. Public protests began in Independence Square in Kiev and eventually led to the resignation of Ukraine’s President Viktor Yanukovych deemed to be embroiled in corruption. Fighting continues to this day. Hundreds of people have been killed.

Counting Sheep is a personal retelling of the uprising that succeeded in toppling the Ukrainian government. Created by Mark Marczyk and Marichka Marczyk, this production is inspired by their own experiences right on the streets during the protests.  Direction is by Kevin Newbury.  The show features a guerrilla folk opera band from Toronto, the Lemon Bucket Orkestra. The songs are sung entirely in traditional Ukrainian polyphony. Even if you don’t speak the language, you will get what is being said by the intense emotion from the performers.

Shows are at 3LD Theater, 80 Greenwich Street, downtown in New York City.  This enormous space provides three walls of wide and tall screens on which actual video footage taken during the protests are shown. There is also a roving videographer who films events taking place during the show and those project as well. Audiences are encouraged to document the revolution so the use of cameras is allowed.

Photo by Karen Nowosad

Tickets are available in two zones: immersive and viewing only.  The immersive ticket includes some food and inclusion in the action of the show. Viewing patrons sit on wooden bleachers along the sides. It is important to note that immersion in this show appears to be very safe and well done. The cast was very gentle working with the crowd and very kind to everyone.  My original plan was to just view since I was writing about the show. But suddenly, I felt compelled to join in and I was readily accepted.

The show begins with a peaceful meal taking place and moves to the beginnings of crowd action in the square. Eventually fighting breaks out and those who elect to be immersive may find themselves helping the cast members to fortify the barricades, throw bricks (not real ones), and even dance at someone’s wedding. The action is nonstop; no intermission. The ending will get you thinking and wondering what a price has been paid.

Photo by Karen Nowosad

The wonderful cast of Counting Sheep features Mark Marczyk, Marichka Marczyk, Dmytro Nechepurenko, Eli Camilo, Jaash Singh, Michael Louis Johnson, Nathan Dell-Vandenberg, Oskar Lambarri, Tamar Ilana, Stephania Woloshyn and Volodymyr Bedzvin.

Performances of Counting Sheep are on Tuesdays through Saturdays at 8PM with matinees on Saturdays and Sundays at 3PM.

This show is so well done it has to get a future run in New York City. Get to see it while it is still downtown because this could be the next Great Comet theatrical experience. And yes, they, too, serve pierogi that are very good!

Don’t miss it.

To see other photos I took at the performance, visit the Facebook page for Let’s Go to the Theater.

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‘Annie’ at Paper Mill Playhouse Delights Audiences

Posted on December 1, 2017 by Karen Nowosad

‘Annie’ at Paper Mill Playhouse; Photo by Jerry Dalia; from left to right: Erin Mackey (Grace), Cassidy Pry (Annie) and Christopher Sieber (Warbucks).

Time honored shows are always in order when the holiday season is upon us. The Paper Mill Playhouse delivers the perfect one for this time of year with the hit Broadway Tony Award-winning musical Annie. Children of all ages will enjoy this show which features an outstanding cast who wowed the Opening Night audience. In addition to the fine cast, the story is heart-warming and the music is  well performed by a full orchestra. What more do you need? Wait, there’s even a dog who appears on stage! Yes, Sandy is there with Annie to complete the picture.

The musical Annie is based on “Little Orphan Annie,” with book by Thomas Meehan.  Music  is by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Martin Charnin. Paper Mill’s Producing Artistic Director Mark S. Hoebee provides direction with choreography by JoAnn M. Hunter and musical direction by Jeffrey Saver.

Photo by Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade; from left to right: Michelle Henderson (Duffy), Tessa Noelle Frascogna (Molly), Cassidy Pry (Annie), Eve Johnson (Tessie) and Lauren Sun (July)

The story centers around a little girl named Annie who lives in an orphanage in New York City. Under the control of Miss Hannigan, she and the other little orphan girls have a difficult life. They sing about it in “It’s the Hard-Knock Life” which is one of the highlights of the show. The Annie orphans include Gabby Beredo as Pepper, Tessa Noelle Frascogna as Molly, Michelle Henderson as Duffy, Eve Johnson as Tessie, Lauren Sun as July, and Sloane Wolfe as Kate. These young performers are loaded with talent and a warm stage presence. The moments they are in the show are among the best. Look for some if not all of them to be on Broadway some day!

Annie holds dear to her heart a half of a locket which was left with her when her parents dropped her off at the orphanage years before with a note that they would return for her. This helps Annie maintain a continual sense of optimism which she sings about in another classic from the show “Tomorrow.” On Opening Night, Cassidy Pry played the lead role. She was marvelous to watch; a true professional in her singing, dancing, acting, and even the way she watched out for her dog, Sandy. The role of Annie will be done in rotation between Cassidy and Peyton Ella.

Annie tries to run away but is always returned to the orphanage. She finally luck out when billionaire Oliver Warbucks brings her to stay with him at his mansion for the holidays. Her wonderful outlook on life wins his heart and those of his staff leading to an eventual very happy ending for her and the other little girls. Christopher Sieber plays the Warbucks character with loads of heart and love for children and people in general. His voice is strong especially on the lovely “Something Was Missing” in the second act. His ability to blend his voice is well with others is seen in a fabulous song “NYC” where the spirit of the City comes alive.

Photo by Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade; Beth Leavel (Miss Hannigan)

And then there is Miss Hannigan played by the fabulous Beth Leavel. Her scenes are so funny that at times, you want to burst out laughing just seeing her come on stage. The frequent hits of the liquor bottle add to hilarity of the character. Ms. Leavel’s singing is right on point in “Little Girls.”  She also shines with two other wonderful players, Cooper Grodin as Rooster  Hannigan and Kim Sava as Lily St. Regis in “Easy Street.”

Other member of the principal cast include Erin Mackey as Grace Farrell and Kevin Pariseau as Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Rounding out the cast are Damien Brett, Shavey Brown, AnnEliza Canning-Skinner, Lynn Masako Cheng, Stacia Fernandez, Michael Coale Grey, Ruby Griffin, David Hess, Stacey Todd Holt, Joshua Israel, Allen Kendall, Kate Marilley, Bronwyn Tarboton, and Amy Van Norstrand.

The production team includes original set design by Beowulf Boritt, scenic coordination by Jared Rutherford, original costume design by Susan Benzinger, costume design for Paper Mill Playhouse by Leon Dobkowski, lighting design by Charlie Morrison, sound design by Randy Hansen, hair, wig and makeup design by Leah J. Loukas, and animals by William Berloni.  The production stage manager is Victoria Navarro.

This was my first time seeing a professional company perform Annie and I thoroughly enjoyed it.  The Paper Mill Playhouse really does a marvelous job with this show. Special bravo shout out to Director Mark S. Hoebee for putting together a most amazing holiday show for all to see.

additional information

Running Time: 2 hours 15 minutes plus one 15 minute intermission

Location: Paper Mill Playhouse, 22 Brookside Drive, Millburn, New Jersey

Performances:  Eight times a week, Wednesday through Sunday. The performance schedule is Wednesday at 7:00 p.m., Thursday at 1:30 p.m. & 7:00 p.m., Friday at 7:00 p.m., Saturday at 1:30 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. and Sunday at 1:30 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. Visit www.PaperMill.org for special holiday schedules.

The show runs now through December 31, 2017.

A special autism-friendly performance of Annie takes place on Wednesday, December 27, at 1:30pm. This performance is designed specifically for children on the autism spectrum and or with other developmental disabilities and their families, and is planned in cooperation with Paper Mill Playhouse’s Autism Advisory Team. The theater environment is altered for this performance, providing a sensory-friendly, comfortable and judgment-free space that is welcoming to all families. The performance itself will be adjusted with special attention paid to lighting and sound.

Contact for Info and Tickets: Tickets are on sale starting at $34. 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. Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express accepted. Groups of 10 or more can receive up to a 40% discount on tickets and should call 973.315.1680. Students may order $23 rush tickets over the phone or in person at the Paper Mill Playhouse box office on the day of the performance.

Suggested Audience: Annie is appropriate for all ages.

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Paper Mill Playhouse Joins Jersey Cares Winter Coat Drive

Posted on November 25, 2017 by Karen Nowosad

The Paper Mill Playhouse

The holiday season is in full swing at the Paper Mill Playhouse with the opening of the musical Annie this week. Continuing their tradition of sharing with the community, the Paper Mill  again partners with Jersey Cares as a collection site for their winter coat drive.  New and gently used coats can be brought to the theater during the run of Annie, now through December 31. Collection bins are located in the theater’s lobby at 22 Brookside Drive in Millburn, New Jersey.

This is the 20th year Paper Mill Playhouse has been a drop off location for the Jersey Cares Winter Coat Drive. Over the past two decades Paper Mill Playhouse has collected thousands of coats due to the generosity of its patrons and neighbors. Last season Paper Mill Playhouse patrons contributed over 500 coats to this worthy cause.

Mark S. Hoebee, Paper Mill Playhouse’s Producing Artistic Director said, “Paper Mill Playhouse is thrilled to partner once again with Jersey Cares. When two not-for-profit organizations come together to serve the community there is true holiday magic.  Through the generosity of our patrons, Paper Mill Playhouse has been able to provide warmth to thousands of underserved New Jersey residents.”

Over the past 24 years, Jersey Cares has collected, sorted and distributed thousands of winter coats to New Jersey residents in need through this program. The donated winter coats benefit at-risk men, women, children, and infants in the area.

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