“Any Given Monday” at Theatre One Middleboro

By Richard Pacheco

            Bruce Graham’s irreverent and politically incorrect “Any Given Monday” at Theatre One is a merry, sassy, darkly funny romp with some unexpected twists and turns as it takes a look at marital infidelity, football and philosophy. It is the winner of the 2010 Barrymore Award for Best New Play. The cast, directed by Peg Holzemer is spirited, energetic and robust, full of strong comic timing and dark humor. It is a twisted morality play.

            Set in Lenny’s living room with a few asides, the play introduces daughter Sarah and undergraduate philosophy student about to graduate and considering going on for a master’s degree. Then there is Lenny a Jewish teacher married for 24 years who is a bit of a wimp and rarely if ever gets angry no matter what happens. He has been couch bound since his wife Risa, walked out to move in with her very flashy lover, a real estate mogul who is all ego and bucks. Finally there is Mickey, Lenny’s lifelong friend who works for the transit authority. Sarah finds his current condition intellectually stimulating although she finds his wimpy behavior unacceptable. There are some twists and turns which shifts all this into a crucial moral dilemma which will have an effect on all involved.

            Mix these together and you get a wild ride of politically incorrect and moral dilemma questions. It all unfolds with Monday night football in the background on the television.

            Manny Moitoso is Lenny, the world’s most decent and patient guy, in fact too patient and decent for his own good. Lenny is too agreeable, and really subservient to his wife. His daughter Sarah in one of her monologues sums it up while talking about a tough Jewish lawyer who when his wife merely raises an eyebrow, immediately whimps out and runs to buy her an expensive gift. Lenny is of the same ilk. Moitoso is excellent as the laid back, moral Jewish man intimidated by his wife to the endth degree, to the point of not even being angry that she left and ready to take her back at a moment’s notice without a fight at all without even righteous anger. Moitoso is convincing in his emotional evolution as the play unfolds.

            Bob Genereau is Lenny’s lifetime friend, the real salt of the earth Mick, who works in the subway and has a different view of life because of what he sees and experiences during his life below ground. Genereau delivers an honest performance as a man dedicated to his lifelong friend determined to do whatever is necessary to make things right and help his friend be happy moral qualms notwithstanding. He shows a fine comic finesse and solid comic timing.

            Vanessa Lima is Sarah, the philosophy minded daughter who wants her father to grow a pair and not serve as a doormat for her mom. She is intrigued by questions of philosophy, particularly moral questions and seeking solutions to moral dilemmas both the esoteric abstract kind as well as those that exist in daily life. Lima is confident and sincere in her performances and she writhes through the array of moral morass she must confront in her life with her parents situation and the unusual things which arise.

            Finally there is Risa, Lenny’s wife and Sarah’s mother, a woman who finds herself bored after 24 years of marriage and wants to feel alive again without thinking of the consequences or personal cost for her or the rest of her family. Risa is self absorbed and aware of her needs but seems to lack a genuine concern for how her actions affect anyone else. She knows what she wants though and isn’t afraid to go after it with passion and conviction. Susan Salvensen is Risa and she is poised, confident and manages the right hint of boredom in her relationship with her husband it a highly convincing performance.

            Peg Saurman Holzemer directs this raucous black comedy with skill and finesse with sharp pacing and an eye and ear for the right comic touches.

            John Marzilli’s set, Lenny’s living room, works with nothing too ostentatious, but simply and serviceable.

            “Any Given Monday” is a merry ride into the politically incorrect with outrageous events and deep moral choices by the characters in between all the laughs and sometimes the cause of them. If you are tired to the apologetic politically incorrect dogma, then this is one for you to see.

            It continues on Jan. 14, 15, 16 at 7:30 p.m. and again Jan 22 and 23 at 7:30 p.m., with a Sunday Matinee at 2 p.m. on Jan. 24. All shows are at the Alley Theatre, at 133 Centre St. in Middleboro. Doors open 30 minutes prior to the performance. General admission is $20, with seniors/students at $18 — cash only at door. On opening Night, Jan.14, all tickets are $18. Free Parking at the Middleboro Town Hall

“Grizzly Mama” at the Gamm

By Richard Pacheco

            Playwright George Brant has a history over the past three or four years in writing plays about some tough independent women and this play is no exception. Last year the Gamm staged his excellent “Grounded” and return this year with yet another fine production, this time he leaves behind the female fighter pilot grounded due to her unexpected pregnancy and confined to flying a drone in a windowless trailer in the Nevada desert to a tale of politics brought boiling to a near carnival atmosphere of extremism and radicalism. The results are often fiercely funny and powerful theatre.

         

   Deb Marshall is a divorced mother of a teenage daughter who moves to Alaska to become a liberal avenger when she moves next door to right wing Patti who happens to be running for president. Deb is shamed and embarrassed by what she considers betrayal of her ultra liberal activist mother’s politics and activism since she slipped quietly into the role of a stay at home mother. Deb feels she betrayed her mother’s ideal and her mother and ended up a daughter who gave her only extreme disappointment by settling for a more traditional role. So Deb develops some dark plans for Patti and wants to garner the support of her daughter Hannah into the mix.

The play shelters no political view from relentless observation which finds its roots in dark, raucous humor.

Casey Seymour Kim is the hapless Deb, struggling to make up for the disappointments she felt she gave her mother when she failed to follow in her feminist and ultra liberal life and beliefs. Deb traded in her mother’s activisms to become the wife of a doctor and became a stay at home mom in Ohio. Her mother’s death and her mother’s last words to her inspire her to move to the wilds of Alaska next door to an ultra right wing woman ho is running for president.  The transformation inspires Deb to devise a radical plan to get her in good with her mother’s memories, truly insane and radical actions. Kim is excellent in the role, bringing verve and sincerity to the woman caught in a diabolical internal conflict in an attempt to soother the memory of disappointing her mother. She also wants to entice her daughter to join her in this newly formed quest. Kim deftly manages high hilarity at Deb’s outrageous words and actions with an impeccable comic timing and flair.  She never ends up a caricature despite the often outlandish things she says and does.

Amanda Ruggiero is 17 year old Hannah, Deb’s daughter. She is very much a typical teenager, glued to her smart phone forever texting to the point her hand continues even when she no longer holds the cell phone. Hannah is at a loss to be stranded in the wilds of Alaska, with her mother going increasingly wild in her ideas and passionate desire to make up for years of disappointment to Hannah’s grandmother.  She is at a loss when her mother tries to invite her to collude with her on an outrageous plan that defies logic.  Ruggiero is excellent as Hannah. She delivers a performance that is vivid and honest. She ably captures the confusions and interests of a teenager with a carefully etched performance that is fascinating and endearing by turns.

The final character ins this is Laurel, played by Betsy Rinaldi. Laurel is the daughter of the woman running for president who resents the attention her mother’s choices has on her, bringing in the attention of media and public alike. Laurel loves her mother but also harbors some resentments against her as well and for the position that she finds herself in with no apparent escape. Rinaldi is also excellent as a teenager also at odds with her mother and her mother’s wishes and politics.

Director Rachel Walshe shows skill and verve, getting the most out of the at times uncomfortable humor and darker moments.

Josh Christoffersen’s scenic design is effective with the hominess of the cabin simply conveying and the stands of birch trees effectively in evoking the wilderness.

It is a riveting production with many laugh vividly out loud moments amind at times uncomfortable moments. It is well worth seeing.

            "Grizzly Mama" runs from Jan. 7 to Feb. 7 at the Sandra Feinstein-Gamm Theatre, 172 Exchange St., Pawtucket. Tickets are $41-$49, and $30 for previews Jan. 7-10. Visit gammtheatre.org, or call (401) 723-4266.

‘Buyer and Cellar” at 2nd Story Theatre

By Richard Pacheco    

            2^nd Story Theatre is busy with renovations with its downstairs theater so performances there are minimal except for the wonderful Jonathan Tollins play, “Buyer and Cellar” sparked by a brilliant performance, sheer virtuoso skill and talent by Kevin Broccoli. The play is offbeat and imaginative and very, very funny. It is a real gem with non stop laughs.

            The Tollins play came about from Harvard educated playwright’s two fortuitous events. Barbara Streisand showed up at a production of one of his plays and offered him a bite of her KitKat bar. The other was when Tollins’ husband borrowed  a copy of Streisand coffee table book, “My Passion for Design” from the local library. There were photos in it from the celebrity’s mall beneath her Malibu house. It sparked this funny play about an actor fired from Disneyland  who ends up getting a job working for Barbara Streisand’s mall under her home.

            Broccoli’s Alex Moore adores her and is thrilled to death when she randomly shows up in her basement to peruse her stores. Most of the time, he is left alone with the popcorn machine awaiting her next visitation as he daydreams about whether or not they are friends or does she even like him.

            It’s a fun ride due to the snappy writing and Broccoli’s impeccable performance, so acutely timed and refined. He is deliriously funny.

            True it is far fetched, but truly funny with Broccoli as the hapless actor who ends up working for a star he admires in her faux stores in her below ground private mall where she is the only customer. The hilarious moments are many with Broccoli deftly playing Streisand answering him back as when they bicker and negotiate about how much to pay for a French doll hanging up in one of the stores. What ensues and its developments are truly funny.

            I cannot say enough about Broccoli’s performance. His timing is perfect as he dazzlingly veers back and forth between an overtly gay snarkiness delivered with smart, intelligent finesse that keeps you roaring.

            Lara Hakeem makes her directorial debut with this laugh filled delight. It is indeed an auspicious debut.

            The set production design by Max Ponticelli is more implied than defined.  There are only a couple of chairs and a screen where images of Ms. Streisand and other flash as needed.

            While the plot sounds goofy and far fetched, the citing her will enchant and amuse you. Don’t miss it. It is sheer theatrical delight.

            "Buyer and Cellar" runs through Oct. 25 at 2nd Story Theatre, 28 Market St., Warren. Tickets are $30, and $20 for those under 21. Call (401) 247-4200, or visit 2ndstorytheatre.com.

“The Little Mermaid” at Theatre by the Sea

By Richard Pacheco

            “The Little Mermaid,” the Disney classic film turned into a musical at Theatre by the Sea is perfect family fare, well acted, and well sung with bright costumes and flashy dancing. In short it is sheer fun for all ages. It is utterly charming and delightful for all.

            The show comes from the Disney movie which comes from the Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale abut a mermaid who is willing to sacrifice her life in the sea and mermaid identity to  gain a human soul and love a human prince.

Ariel ventures to the surface when she turns 15. She witnesses a great storm and sees a handsome young prince on board and rescues him from drowning, taking him to shore. When he awakens she is gone and he doe not realize it was she who saved him. In an effort to become human she goes to visit the sea witch, her aunt, willing to sacrifice her lovely voice in order to become human and thereby win the heart of the prince. Is she fails to get him to kiss her within three days she will be forever doomed to serve the Sea Witch and never view humans or the prince again.

Adrienne Eller is Ariel, the mermaid with the longing to be human. She is pert and perky, with a girlish charm and special voice. She is enchaining in the role, the embodiment of the little mermaid. Her voice is angelic and yet strong. She ably displays her talents in “The World Above” and “Part of Your World” as well as the other songs she sings Like “Ariel’s Lament.”

Austin Colby is the handsome prince who would rather be a sailor that inherit his father’s throne and rule his kingdom. He is a mixture of boyish yet complex with a solid voice and impressive stage presence. He is a great foil for Eller and the two work well together with charm and vitality. He is excellent in “Her Voice” and “One Step Closer.”

Andrew Holder is Ariel’s friend Flounder. He adores Ariel and follows her pile a puppy. He shows his singing voice off well in his song with the mersisters, “She’s in Love.”

Zachary Berger is the seagull the irrepressible Scuttle. Scuttle is a madcap mixture of confidence and malapropisms, misstating all kinds of things with unbridled enthusiasm. He is hilarious with the seagulls who all tap dance their way with finesse and confidence through “Positooovity.”

Of course there is the charming and winning crab, Sebastian, anointed guardian for Ariel and yet she always manages to outwit him to pursue her goals. He speaks with a Jamaican accent and is flamboyant and sun.  Nkrumah Gatling brings him to life with terrific comic timing and a strong singing voice. He really shines in a vigorous and fun version of “Under the Sea” with the sea creatures.

The wicked Sea Witch, Ursula is King Triton’s sister and a dark force to be reckoned with using her cohorts the darkly evil eels, Flotsam and Jetsam. She has a killer voice, full of raw power and variance. When she sings “Poor Unfortunate Soul” she explodes with energy and scathing sarcasm. Her trio with Flotsam (Robert Conte) and Jetsam (Daniel Hurst), “Daddy’s Little Girl” is also excellent.

King Triton is all bluster and pomp, demanding his daughters, and everyone else obey him without hesitation or question. Yet he does indeed love his daughter, in particular the youngest, Ariel. He shows this at last at the end.  Joseph Torello is King Triton and handles the role ably, but is in fact the weakest singing voice onstage.

One of the most impressive part of this endearing show is the complex and  rich quarter, “If Only” which carries the finesse of Verdi sung by Ariel, Prince Eric, Sebastian and King Triton.

            The musical is attractive with great songs from the Alan Menken music the Howard Ashman Glenn Slater lyrics and the book by Doug Wright. It is both warm and fun.

            Director and choreographer Billy Sprague Jr. keeps everything lively and appealing from first to last. His dance numbers have sass and class, a delight to behold. His number with the tap dancing seagulls is funny and fun to watch, robust and endearing.

            Musical director Esther  Zabinski who also conducts the orchestra is right on the mark and conducts the orchestra with verve and feeling.

            The set by Nate Bertone is simple, basic and effective. It successfully evokes and underwater world with simple yet impressive touches, creating undersea caves and dark areas for the denizens of the deep to prowl. His suggestive sets for out of the water worked well too.

            The costumes, the original costume and wig design by Kurt Alger were fanciful and energetic.

            If you loved the 1989 Disney movie, you will love this show which faithfully follows the movie. You won’t want to miss it!

           

            "Disney's The Little Mermaid" runs through Aug. 15 at Theatre By The Sea, 364 Cards Pond Rd., Matunuck. Tickets are $45-$65. Call (401) 782-8587, or visit theatrebythesea.com.

“I Hate Hamlet” at 2nd Story Theatre

By Richard Pacheco

            Paul Rudnik’s comedy “I Hate Hamlet” currently at 2^nd Story Theatre is an absolute joy, packed with laughs from beginning to end, sure to please, a real treat. The plot circles about a television actor who moves into legendary actor John Barrymore’s NYC apartment after his show has been cancelled. It seems he has been hire, thanks to the efforts of his agent to do Shakespeare in the park as Hamlet in the play. Add to this his girlfriend who at 29 is a steadfast virgin, sworn to celibacy until she is married even thought she declines his efforts to marry her and you have an idea about what he is facing. Not only that, but his erratic agent who once had an affair with Barrymore, a ditzy real estate woman and of course, the ghost of John Barrymore himself who finagles his way into the works.

            Tom Bentley is Andrew Rally the television star who is now faced with playing Hamlet. He is uncertain as far as his acting talent, particularly when faced with such a daunting task as acting in such a legendary role. He is torn between the money offered in television and the prestige offered from the stage in NYC. His only issue is that he hates Hamlet and Shakespeare in general. Bentley is able and determined in the role.

            There is the ghost of john Barrymore played by John Michael Richardson, the epitome of the that suave, legendary actor, a drunk, bon vivant and womanizer to the endth degree without reservation of regret. Richardson is simply superb in the role.  He is a jot to watch, pure delight as he deftly dances though his antics with style and verve, utterly funny, totally convincing.

Then there is the wacky and somewhat curious real estate agent, Felicia Dantine, played by Isabel O’Donnell. Felicia found her inner self by communicating with her dead mother through a course she took and sweats by and insists that Andrew try to do the same with the ghost of Barrymore despite his protests.

Of course Andrew’s girlfriend, Deidre, is no help in all of this. She is 29 and still a virgin and determined to stay that way despite Rally’s frustration and efforts to convince her that sex is fun. Rein Elliot handles the role with a charm and style that is appealing and fresh, a delight to watch.

Andrew’s Hollywood friend and producer, Gary Peter Lefkowitz has no clue about theater and is in fact disdainful of it, instead promulgates the virtues of television and Hollywood with wild abandon and ruthless determination. He has put together a pilot for Andy with a $3 million paycheck, if only he will give up on the Shakespeare and theater ideals. He warns Andy in his own peculiar way if he doesn’t watch out he will end up in basements doing Chekhov, then clearing chairs away for the incoming AA meeting. Charles Lafond is the energetic, effeminate Lefkowitz and he handles the role with verve and sass without flinching and without hesitation. He is a sheer delight of hilarity.

Of cures there is Andrew’s agent the irrepressible Lillian Tory, who once had a sexual encounter with the legendary Barrymore. Paula Faber handles the role with finesse and a sense of comic timing that is expert.

Together they provide a delightful summer’s evening worth of theater, nothing deep, but loaded with sheer fun along the way without a doubt.

Director Mark Peckham keeps it all relentlessly on track and the laughs piled on one after another. The sset by Trevor Elliot is a delight with a great window view into NYC from behind to terrific stairs, etc. in front.

If you are looking for some easy going summer laughs, this is the place to be without a doubt.

            "I Hate Hamlet" runs through Aug. 30 in repertory with Charles Busch's "Die, Mommie, Die. Tickets are $25 and $20 for those under 21. Call (401) 247-4200, or visit 2ndstorytheatre.com.

“Venus in Fur” at 2nd Story Theatre

By Richard Pacheco

            “Venus in Fur” is a two-person play by David Ives set in modern New York City. The play had its premiere off-Broadway at the Classic Stage Company in 2010 and on Broadway in 2011. The current production at 2^nd Story sparkles with sheer brilliance, raw energy and is packed with laughter as well as being provocative.

            Thomas Novachek is the writer-director of a new play opening in New York City; this play-within-the-play is an adaptation of the 1870 novel “Venus in Furs “by the Austrian author Leopold von Sacher-Masoch and happens to be the novel that inspired the term Masochism. The play begins with Novachek on the telephone lamenting the inadequacies of the actresses who have showed up that day to audition for the lead character, Wanda von Dunayev. Suddenly, at the last minute, a new actress, Vanda Jordan, bursts in. Novachek is on the telephone lamenting the inadequacies of the actresses who have showed up that day to audition for the lead character,

            Vanda Jordan, bursts in. and she is brash, vulgar and unschooled, but she convinces him to let her audition for the part of Wanda. The playwright will read the part of Severin von Kushemski. They both become caught up in the characters they are reading, often interchanging art and reality with unexpected consequences.

            Richard Derry is Novachek, the playwright frustrated by the actresses who have thus far auditioned for him. He is frustrated by his efforts to audition a leading lady for the play, with no one seeming to measure up to his artistic needs. As he reads the part of Severin von Kushemski je becomes swept up in the play, at times merging his character with that of the character in the play. Derry is wonderful in the role, sheer brilliance as he deftly shifts back and forth between playwrights and character.

            Lara Hakeem is the actress, Vanda, who arrives late for the audition. She is brash, vulgar and obnoxious, but also very sexy, sensual and provocative. She is outspoken and daring as a person and as an actress, very nervy and bold. She moves in and out of the role she is auditioning for and the actress at the audition with skill and finesse. She is audacious and inventive, full of energy and sassy. She alternates between the audacious actress and the sexy character with finesse, effortlessly being either seductive or brash ass needed. It is an impeccable performance.

            The chemistry between the two is impressive at once vibrant and touching, inventive and provocative.

            Ed Shea directs with zest and intelligence. He knows how to evoke the best from these two actors and does so consistently and robustly.

            The set and lighting design by Max Ponticelli is right on target evoking the bare auditions space with the overhead skylights with skill and vision.

            The costumes by Ron Cesario are perfect from her provocative dominatrix outfit to the coats he wears as the character in the play.

This is a do not miss production, one loaded with terrific acting and an intriguing play that is inventive and provocative.

“Venus in Fur" runs through June 28 at 2nd Story Theatre, 28 Market St., Warren. Tickets are $30, and $21 for those 21 and under. Call (401) 247-4200, or visit 2ndstorytheatre.com. 

“Gypsy” at Ocean State Theatre

By Richard Pacheco

            Gypsy” currently at Ocean State Theatre is an energetic, spirited splendid production which features the talents of Artistic Director Aimee Turner as Rose, the ultimate show business mother and Gypsy’s mom. It’s a 1959 musical with music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and a book by Arthur Laurents. Gypsy is loosely based on the 1957 memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee, the famous striptease artist, and focuses on her mother, Rose, whose name has become synonymous with "the ultimate show business mother." It follows the dreams and efforts of Rose to raise two daughters to perform onstage and casts an affectionate eye on the hardships of show business life. The character of Louise is based on Lee, and the character of June is based on Lee's sister, the actress June Havoc.

            While the musical is showing its age, the acting and singing make it fun anyway.

            Aimee Turner, artistic director of Ocean State is stage mother Rose. Rose is obsessed in making her daughter June a star and later her daughter Louise. She will connive,  cajole, do whatever it takes to convince someone to hire her girls and advance their careers. She is bossy, like a bull in a china shop, determined and relentless. And if she seems to care too much about her goals for her daughters perhaps there is more than just a slight twinge that it is derived her disappointments about her own life and not being able to pursue such dreams. Turner is excellent in the role, a virtual human hurricane as she tramps through offices in search of more for her girls with unbridled energy and ruthless resolve. She is excellent with “Some People” and “Everything’s Coming Up Roses” as well as “You’ll Never Get Away from Me” her duet with Herbie.

            Christopher Swan is Herbie, the once former agent, now candy salesman, hooked back into being an agent again by the ever manipulative Rose. He is a good hearted man who genuinely cares for Rose and her daughter as well as the young women enticed into the act to trot about the country with them to all sorts of backwater vaudeville houses replete with cornball acts galore. Swan does a fine job in the role, convincing at every turn and shows a warmth that the girl’s mother lacks. He is good in “Have An Eggroll Mr. Goldstone” and “Together Wherever We Go.”

            Kristin Wetherington is the grown Louise, a shy, terrified young woman who struggles to get free of her mother’s over dominating personality and her sister June’s leading the act until she leaves to elope and wash her hands of her show and her domineering mother. She is outstanding in “The Strip” “If Momma Was Married” with her sister June, played by Juliettte Salway.

As far as the younger version of Gypsy and her sister June, Abigail Page as Louise and Victoria Cardi as June are just fine talented and energetic in their roles. They shine in “Let Me Entertain You.’

The rest of the supporting cast is solid and offer fine support to the principals.

            Russell  Garrett directed and choreographed the show with flair and style. Despite the somewhat dated material, particularly in the first act, he keeps it on course and enjoyable. Musical director Justin P. Cowen keeps the singers and the orchestra he conducts on track and agreeable.

            Scenic designer Kimberly V. Powers provides imaginative sets which evoke backstage at a vaudeville theater and elsewhere effectively.

The first act mostly revisits bad vaudeville acts and what often passed for entertainment in those days, being corny and barely bearable. Despite the fact it seems dated, the production keeps being entertaining with the fine performances throughout.

            Gypsy" runs through Aug. 2 at Ocean State Theatre, 1245 Jefferson Blvd. Warwick. Tickets are $39-$54. Call (401) 921-6800, or visit oceanstatetheatre.org.