Shakespeare Theatre of NJ Running Two Shows in July

Posted on June 28, 2016 by Karen Nowosad

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey will have two shows running through July. One which will run at the Outdoor Theater is The Complete Works of Shakespeare (unabridged)(revised). The second one, Coriolanus, will be at the Kirby Theater.

Shakespeare Theatre of NJ website

Written by Adam Long, Daniel Singer, and Jess Winfield, The Complete Works of Shakespeare will be performed at the Outdoor Stage on Tuesdays through Sundays at 8:00 pm, with a special twilight performance on Sundays at 4:30 pm. This year, young people 18 and under go for free thanks to generous support from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Patrons are encouraged to bring either a low-backed beach chair or picnic blanket to sit on. Higher-backed beach chairs are allowed in the top rows of the theatre. Seating at The Outdoor Stage is general admission.

According to theater notes, the show is “Back by popular demand, three wild and crazy actors will take you on an irreverent, madcap romp through Shakespeare’s entire canon. Featuring some new surprises since our last production in 2008, this is a terrific show to introduce Shakespeare to young people, and a hilarious spoof that appeals to audiences of all ages — from Bardophiles to Bardophobes! As always, picnicking under the stars with family and friends makes for a delightful evening where art, nature, and the ancient tradition of outdoor theatre all come together!”

The three actors are Jon Barker, Connor Carew, and Patrick Toon. The production is directed by Jeffrey M. Bender.

This show will run June 22 through July 31.

For tickets or more information, call 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org. Groups of 10 or more are eligible for group discounts. Bank of America customers can obtain tickets for the Outdoor Stage for $25 by using code “BOFA” for online sales and/or with the presentation of their bank cards at the box office.  

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey’s Outdoor Stage, the amphitheatre on the campus of the College of St. Elizabeth, is conveniently located at 2 Convent Road, off Madison Avenue (Rt. 124) in Morris Township, just minutes from Routes 287, 78, and 10. Parking is free. The Theatre is barrier free. Wheelchair seating is available. Large Print programs are available upon request 48 hours in advance.

Shakespeare Theatre of NJ Coriolanus is an intense political drama by William Shakespeare. Press notes describe it in this way: “When Rome is faced with threats from without and famine within, it turns to its defender, Coriolanus. The decorated war-hero quickly discovers that his true enemies lie inside Rome’s walls, and perhaps within himself. . . Written some time between 1605 and 1608, Coriolanus was not performed until after the Restoration. Inspired by the era’s political tensions, The Drury Lane company first performed the drama in 1682. For as much as Coriolanus is a political drama, that is the play’s epic outer shell; within that framework resides an intimate psychological portrait of a complex and tortured man who is grappling with the conflict between his true nature and the public persona that his family and peers have thrust upon him.”

Coriolanus will be directed by Brian B. Crowe with company veterans Greg Derelian and Jacqueline Antarmian in the leading roles.

Performances begin July 6 and continue through July 24 at the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Avenue (at Lancaster Road) in Madison. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Box Office at 973-408-5600 or go online at shakespearenj.org.

Special Performances include the following:

  • For the same price as a regular ticket, the Symposium Series performances offer a post-show discussion with the cast and artistic staff. For Coriolanus these performances will be Tuesday, July 12 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, July 16 at 2:00 p.m., and Saturday, July 23 at 2:00 p.m.
  • The Know the Show pre-show talks are offered again in 2016 free-of-cost. Prior to the show, an artist from The Shakespeare Theatre will present 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 Coriolanus will be held Thursday, July 18 at 7:00 p.m., with the show commencing at 8:00 p.m.
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‘Friend Art’ Looks at Friendship and Life

Posted on June 11, 2016 by Karen Nowosad

Pictured: Constantine Maroulis, Anabelle LeMieux, Aaron Costa Ganis and Zoe Chao; photo by Joan Marcus as shared on Second Stage Theatre Facebook page.

Pictured: Constantine Maroulis, Anabelle LeMieux, Aaron Costa Ganis and Zoe Chao; photo by Joan Marcus as shared on Second Stage Theatre Facebook page.

A play titled Friend Art finishes its run tomorrow at the 2econd Stage Theatre Uptown. Written by Sofia Alvarez and directed by Portia Krieger, it is a good play which is on the surface light-hearted but underneath it has some serious things to say.

The lightheartedness comes through when one of the characters, Lil, makes continued attempts to produce a solo performance artist piece.  The recitation is funny and it involves a stuffed snake which later serves a more “sensuous” role. Lil’s friends, Kevin, Molly, and Nate, are among the few who come to see her shows. They do it because she is a friend and since she is their friend, they go to support her hence the title of the show, Friend Art. The show continues with Kevin and Molly trying to plan their wedding and an impending move. However, at some point, Kevin decides to taste what it is like to be in the world of real art. He teams up with Lil to bring in a better quality to her show and hopefully to increase the size of the audience. This leaves Molly to develop a new relationship with Nate. Nate is the character who had been a one hit wonder in the record business years before. He made enough money that he was able to buy a nice loft in Brooklyn and not have to work. This frees him to pursue an aimless existence. He’s not really pleased with where he is at but he isn’t sure of where to go from there.

All of the situations that the four characters are involved in provide a reason for examination of a deeper situation past the light hearted look of the just the performance that Lil gives. In this case, that situation is all about moving into a new part of adulthood and taking on new responsibilities.  We also get a chance to reflect on the value that friendships hold in our lives and how they can be so vital to us at certain points, but then change to a new relationship as own on life situations changes.

Three of the characters in the show, Lil, Molly, and Kevin, are a part of the Millennial Generation and the fourth, Nate, would be on the cusp between the Millennials and Gen X.  So it should not be unexpected to see them grappling with life changing situations. The Millennial Generation is already proving themselves to be a fascinating group of people who are already influencing the arts, culture, and business. This play is timely in looking at their changing life situations.

The cast for this show includes Anabelle Lemieux as Lil, Zoe Chao as Molly, Aaron Costa Ganis as Kevin and Constantine Maroulis as Nate. Each character was well developed and leave few if any questions in the minds of the audience as to what they are about. Fine performances are seen from this group.

The show, which runs approximately 85 minutes, moves at a quick pace in spots but it allows character development in several pivotal points. It would have been nice to see an extension given to this show at the 2econd Stage Uptown Theater. But like the characters in the show it appears to be time to move on. Hopefully, it will surface again soon in some Off-Broadway location.

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‘West Side Story’ Shows Why It is a Classic at the Paper Mill Playhouse

Posted on June 10, 2016 by Karen Nowosad
Photo by Matthew Murphy - The Sharks and The Jets

Photo by Matthew Murphy – The Sharks and The Jets

The musical West Side Story opened at the Paper Mill Playhouse last Sunday night. Over the years, this show has become a classic in musical theater. It has a beautiful musical score, powerful dance numbers, and a story which is based on Shakespeare’s Romeo And Juliet but is still very relevant today. When it opened on Broadway in 1958, it received numerous Tony nominations but only one win and that was for Choreography by Jerome Robbins. It was edged out of the Tony for Best Musical by The Music Man.

West Side Story was later made into a movie that won a number of Academy Awards including Best Picture. The movie is what many people remember best about it. So why should go to see this onstage at the Paper Mill Playhouse? The reasons are numerous.

First off, as an audience member, you will totally feel a part of the actual story taking place; that’s how powerful this show is. As it surrounds you with its sights and sounds, you feel a part of the drama that is unfolding.

Second, the very large stage at the Paper Mill Playhouse gives a lot of room for the dance numbers. The choreography was originally by Jerome Robbins. Alex Sanchez has recreated it allowing it to fill that large space. The dancers can stretch out and run and jump with ease.

Photo by Matthew Murphy; The Jets.

Photo by Matthew Murphy; The Jets.

One might argue as to whether the music or the dancing is the most vital part of West Side Story. It’s a dilemma worth having and watching and trying to figure out. But there is no doubt about it, the dancing is one of the elements at the heart of the show. Between Scene 1, where the rival gangs, the Sharks and the Jets, present themselves to the audience and each other to Scene 4 which is the gathering at the gym where mambo and dances of the day square off against each other; well those two scenes alone make the show worth seeing. And who can resist the gathering of the girls featuring Anita as they dance to “America?”

Photo by Matthew Murphy; From left to right: Ilda Mason (Estella), Lauren Csete (Consuelo), Natalie Cortez (Anita), Lisa Finegold (Francisca) and Alexia Sky (Teresita).

Photo by Matthew Murphy; From left to right: Ilda Mason (Estella), Lauren Csete (Consuelo), Natalie Cortez (Anita), Lisa Finegold (Francisca) and Alexia Sky (Teresita).

The story is always sad to see unfold. It isn’t a happy tale. The first part of the show is sweet as Maria and Tony meet and fall in love. But there is that tension already brewing as the rival gangs begin to rumble. One is thankful for the songs which allow a break from that tension and especially for the famous balcony scene where two first declare their love.

Photo by Jerry Dalia; Matt Doyle (Tony) and Belinda Allyn (Maria).

Photo by Jerry Dalia; Matt Doyle (Tony) and Belinda Allyn (Maria).

Tony’s attempts to stop the rumble are difficult to watch but even worse is the part where he loses his temper and kills Bernardo. High marks go to the all the actors in this show as they play their roles during this and other difficult scenes. A special note should be made of the very poignant performances by Matt Doyle as Tony and Belinda Allyn as Maria. Their wedding night scene is very touching to watch and the final scene where Maria lingers over Tony’s dead body is one of the best I have ever seen done. A special shout out goes to Natalie Cortez as Anita. She displays her anger very controlled but very directed and it makes what she says very believable. German Alexander adds some unique and well placed touches as Bernardo and Mikey Winslow plays Riff.

Photo by Matthew Murphy; Belinda Allyn (Maria) and Matt Doyle (Tony).

Photo by Matthew Murphy; Belinda Allyn (Maria) and Matt Doyle (Tony).

The cast also includes Maria Briggs as Anybodys, John Michael Fiumara as Diesel, William Ragsdale as Schrank, Parker Slaybaugh as Baby John, and Craig Waletzko as Glad Hand. Also in the cast are Danny Bevins, Victoria Casillo, Damian Chambers, Philip Colgan, Brittany Conigatti, Lauren Csete, Tenealle Farragher, Lisa Finegold, Jordan Isadore, Ilda Mason, Kat Nejat, Kevin Michael Raponey, Alexia Sky, Summerisa Bell Stevens, Jayme Wappel and James Allen Washington.

Finally, the music is outstanding and sounds absolutely amazing in the Paper Mill Playhouse.  With a full orchestra under the direction of Steve Orich, Leonard Bernstein’s music and Stephen Sondheim’s lyrics are wonderful to hear.

The show is directed by the Paper Mill’s Producing Artistic Director Mark S. Hoebee, and the musical is based on a conception by Jerome Robbins and features a book by Arthur Laurents. It will only play in Millburn until June 26, 2016. To get tickets or more information, visit the Paper Mill Playhouse’s website.

 

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