August Theatre Reviews continued August Theatre Reviews Continued
August Theatre Reviews Continued: : NCTC's Big Voice: God or Merman; Word for Word's Angel Face; Ross Valley Players' Raw Play Readings
The Big Voice: God or Merman Brings Off Broadway to S.F.
Although the New York Times may have called "The Big Voice: God or Merman" a side-splitting evening of musical comedy, Jim Brochu and Steve Shalchlin's show at the New Conservatory Theatre Center offers more than hilarious musical theatre. Both artists are very gifted storytellers.
The musical comedy opens with Jim Brochu's amusing account of how he grew up as a catholic wanting to be the first Brooklyn pope. Steve Shalchlin adds how he grew up as a Baptist who hid his homosexuality while attemting to become an Evangelist. This contrast in their religious backgrounds provides much of the humor. After Jim has an unforgettable meeting with Ethel Merman, he is inspired to create a musical, then enters the seminary and leaves after 13 months. They meet when Steve plays the piano and sings in the Fantasy Lounge on a cruiser where Jim sees him one night and immediately falls in love with him and his singing. After three years of living together, Steve discovers he has Aids. Jim encourages him to continue writing songs and music despite his illness. They take their show to Broadway where it runs for nine months and then break up when Steve runs off with another man. Their divorce fails when Steve returns to Jim, highlighted by the song "How do you Fall Back in Love?" Their story of how hope saved Steve's life affects a female spectator who wanted to commit suicide. If they have not changed people's lives through the church they have done so through the theatre.
The second half of the humorous storytelling and songs that appeals more to our sentiments places a bit of a damper on the upbeat and energetic tone of the first half but it is apparent that the adventures of these two lovers have already won over their audience.
Directed by Brendan James, the simplicity and naturalness of the piece, with original music and lyrics by Steve Shalchlin and Marie Cain and book by Jim Brochu integrated into the storytelling, render this production that originated on Off Broadway one of NCTC's most captivating ones.
We are looking forward to more realizations of such inspiring storytelling musical comedy.
For this show that runs through August 19 or other NCTC productions call 415-861-8972 or visit www.nctcsf.org.
Word for Word's Noir Thriller
Word for Word's Angel Face, one of their more rare productions of a noir thriller, lends another dimension to the company's repertoire. The choice to stage one of Cornell Woolrich's thirties pulp mysteries, that was also made into a B movie with a then unknown actress named Rita Hayworth, offers a new adventure for Word for Word audiences.
Directed by Word for Word's charter member Stephanie Hunt and assisted by Vanessa Cota, the play draws the spectator's attention from the very start with Jerry's (aka Angel Face played by Laura Lowry) attempt to stop her brother Chick from leaving for Chicago with ill reputed Ruby Rose (MorganVoellger). No sooner does Chick leave Jerry to join Ruby, when he is implicated in the latter's murder. Certain that the murder has been planted on her brother, Jerry sets out to prove that he is innocent with the aid of Detective Nick Burns (John Flanagan) who is also persuaded that Chick is not guilty. The "Who Dun It" action that follows has Jerry playing detective along with Burns. At one point she goes to an auction of Ruby's belongings where she brings home a jewelry box that contains a note in which a certain Milton threatens to kill Ruby if she ever leaves him for someone else. Jerry next gets a job in the Hells Bells nightclub where she seduces Milton (Paul Finocchiaro) and succeeds in searching his home for clues. When Milton's henchman Rocco (Danny Wolohan) alerts Milton of Angel Face's intentions, audience members are riveted to their seats as they await Angel Face's fate in the hands of the Greek Night-Club King.
Woolrich's thriller is a well-spun murder mystery that keeps the spectator on edge from the beginning. For the most part, Word for Word's production honors Woolrich's suspense novel in its innovative use of mime and stage movement to enliven the original text and in appealing to the imagination by creating illusionary props (for example, riding in automobiles by sitting in chairs and moving as if driving and riding in a car). Although Mikiko Uesugi's sets on two levels in the Z Space Studio are impressive, what may be lacking is a more intimate space with better acoustics so that the actors can more easily project both voice and movement.
Apart from the choice of this murder mystery being a worthwhile one, it also demonstrates Word for Word's openness to exposing and staging stories of every genre. The company's success in bringing literature to the stage has been proven by the number of companies that now utilize this style, such as their collaboration with the Traveling Jewish Theatre in artistic director Joanne Winters' direction of Windows and Mirrors along with the growing number of companies now employing the Word for Word approach of staging literature.
Angel Face plays until Sept. 2. For information call (415) 439-2456.
Love in the 60's at Ross Valley RAW Play Reading
Bo (energetically played by Alan Weber) and Lee (sensitively played by Marion Gittleman) both in their 60's and still full of hopes and dreams, have been attempting a long distance relationship for the past year, mainly through email. The play opens when Lee arrives from Santa Fe to Bo's
cabin in the northern Catskills in 2003. Billed as a comedy, the play is really a poignant drama of adjustment on the part of both of the characters
concerning serious health issues.
This overly long play could be improved by tightening each act. We could also see a prologue in which each character is introduced emailing the other. A propos the ups and downs of their relationship, the "chemistry" between the two characters works very well.
Love in the 60's by Ron Nash and imaginatively directed by Kim Bromley concluded the third season of Readings of Works in Progress presented by RAW (Ross Alternative Works) at the Ross Valley Players' Barn
Theatre, Sunday, July 22. There was a discussion with the playwright, director and cast which followed the staged reading.
Plays in the RAW's 2007-2008 season will include future programs at the Barn Theatre, September 23, at 1 p.m., November 18 at 3 p.m. and January 20 at 3 p.m.
Flora Lynn Isaacson for Annette Lust
Annette Lust, member S.F. Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle and facul ty Domnican University of California
**************************************
Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour August Reviews Continued: : NCTC's Big Voice: God or Merman; Word for Word's Angel Face; Ross Valley Players' Raw Play Readings
The Big Voice: God or Merman Brings Off Broadway to S.F.
Although the New York Times may have called "The Big Voice: God or Merman" a side-splitting evening of musical comedy, Jim Brochu and Steve Shalchlin's show at the New Conservatory Theatre Center offers more than hilarious musical theatre. Both artists are very gifted storytellers.
The musical comedy opens with Jim Brochu's amusing account of how he grew up as a catholic wanting to be the first Brooklyn pope. Steve Shalchlin adds how he grew up as a Baptist who hid his homosexuality while attemting to become an Evangelist. This contrast in their religious backgrounds provides much of the humor. After Jim has an unforgettable meeting with Ethel Merman, he is inspired to create a musical, then enters the seminary and leaves after 13 months. They meet when Steve plays the piano and sings in the Fantasy Lounge on a cruiser where Jim sees him one night and immediately falls in love with him and his singing. After three years of living together, Steve discovers he has Aids. Jim encourages him to continue writing songs and music despite his illness. They take their show to Broadway where it runs for nine months and then break up when Steve runs off with another man. Their divorce fails when Steve returns to Jim, highlighted by the song "How do you Fall Back in Love?" Their story of how hope saved Steve's life affects a female spectator who wanted to commit suicide. If they have not changed people's lives through the church they have done so through the theatre.
The second half of the humorous storytelling and songs that appeals more to our sentiments places a bit of a damper on the upbeat and energetic tone of the first half but it is apparent that the adventures of these two lovers have already won over their audience.
Directed by Brendan James, the simplicity and naturalness of the piece, with original music and lyrics by Steve Shalchlin and Marie Cain and book by Jim Brochu integrated into the storytelling, render this production that originated on Off Broadway one of NCTC's most captivating ones.
We are looking forward to more realizations of such inspiring storytelling musical comedy.
For this show that runs through August 19 or other NCTC productions call 415-861-8972 or visit www.nctcsf.org.
Word for Word's Noir Thriller
Word for Word's Angel Face, one of their more rare productions of a noir thriller, lends another dimension to the company's repertoire. The choice to stage one of Cornell Woolrich's thirties pulp mysteries, that was also made into a B movie with a then unknown actress named Rita Hayworth, offers a new adventure for Word for Word audiences.
Directed by Word for Word's charter member Stephanie Hunt and assisted by Vanessa Cota, the play draws the spectator's attention from the very start with Jerry's (aka Angel Face played by Laura Lowry) attempt to stop her brother Chick from leaving for Chicago with ill reputed Ruby Rose (MorganVoellger). No sooner does Chick leave Jerry to join Ruby, when he is implicated in the latter's murder. Certain that the murder has been planted on her brother, Jerry sets out to prove that he is innocent with the aid of Detective Nick Burns (John Flanagan) who is also persuaded that Chick is not guilty. The "Who Dun It" action that follows has Jerry playing detective along with Burns. At one point she goes to an auction of Ruby's belongings where she brings home a jewelry box that contains a note in which a certain Milton threatens to kill Ruby if she ever leaves him for someone else. Jerry next gets a job in the Hells Bells nightclub where she seduces Milton (Paul Finocchiaro) and succeeds in searching his home for clues. When Milton's henchman Rocco (Danny Wolohan) alerts Milton of Angel Face's intentions, audience members are riveted to their seats as they await Angel Face's fate in the hands of the Greek Night-Club King.
Woolrich's thriller is a well-spun murder mystery that keeps the spectator on edge from the beginning. For the most part, Word for Word's production honors Woolrich's suspense novel in its innovative use of mime and stage movement to enliven the original text and in appealing to the imagination by creating illusionary props (for example, riding in automobiles by sitting in chairs and moving as if driving and riding in a car). Although Mikiko Uesugi's sets on two levels in the Z Space Studio are impressive, what may be lacking is a more intimate space with better acoustics so that the actors can more easily project both voice and movement.
Apart from the choice of this murder mystery being a worthwhile one, it also demonstrates Word for Word's openness to exposing and staging stories of every genre. The company's success in bringing literature to the stage has been proven by the number of companies that now utilize this style, such as their collaboration with the Traveling Jewish Theatre in artistic director Joanne Winters' direction of Windows and Mirrors along with the growing number of companies now employing the Word for Word approach of staging literature.
Angel Face plays until Sept. 2. For information call (415) 439-2456.
Love in the 60's at Ross Valley RAW Play Reading
Bo (energetically played by Alan Weber) and Lee (sensitively played by Marion Gittleman) both in their 60's and still full of hopes and dreams, have been attempting a long distance relationship for the past year, mainly through email. The play opens when Lee arrives from Santa Fe to Bo's
cabin in the northern Catskills in 2003. Billed as a comedy, the play is really a poignant drama of adjustment on the part of both of the characters
concerning serious health issues.
This overly long play could be improved by tightening each act. We could also see a prologue in which each character is introduced emailing the other. A propos the ups and downs of their relationship, the "chemistry" between the two characters works very well.
Love in the 60's by Ron Nash and imaginatively directed by Kim Bromley concluded the third season of Readings of Works in Progress presented by RAW (Ross Alternative Works) at the Ross Valley Players' Barn
Theatre, Sunday, July 22. There was a discussion with the playwright, director and cast which followed the staged reading.
Plays in the RAW's 2007-2008 season will include future programs at the Barn Theatre, September 23, at 1 p.m., November 18 at 3 p.m. and January 20 at 3 p.m.
Flora Lynn Isaacson for Annette Lust
Annette Lust, member S.F. Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle and facul ty Domnican University of California
**************************************
Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour