“Hay Fever” at 2nd story Theatre

 by Richard Pacheco

            This current production at 2^nd Story Theatre is sheer fun, merrily rolling along with eccentric family of characters and befuddled house guests. “Hay Fever” is a comic play written by Noël Coward in 1924 and first produced in 1925 with Marie Tempest as the first Judith Bliss. Laura Hope Crews played the role in New York. Best described as a cross between high farce and a comedy of manners, the play is set in an English country house in the 1920s, and deals with the four eccentric members of the Bliss family and their outlandish behavior when they each invite a guest to spend the weekend. The self-centered behavior of the hosts finally drives their guests to flee while the Blisses are so engaged in a family row that they do not notice their guests' furtive departure.

            Director Ed Shea keeps it all gliding brightly along with a solid cast and exquisite set.

            Written by Noel Coward in 1924 in three days, inspired by the life of actress Laurette Taylor and her family’s over the top very theatrical lifestyle. There is really not a plot to it. Basically it is an eccentric family treating and mistreating its guests  and each other. There are some fine and very funny moments here.

It opens as Sorel and Simon Bliss, a brother and sister, exchange artistic and bohemian dialogue while awaiting the arrival a a multitude of guests, which none of the family has bothered to inform the others are coming to stay, all of them.

. Judith, their mother, displays the absent-minded theatricality of a retired star actress, and David, their father, a novelist, is concentrating on finishing his latest book. Judith announces that she has decided to return to the stage in one of her old hits, Love's Whirlwind. The other guests gradually arrive as the family trades bars and witticism with each other and the guests.

The family insists that everyone should join in a parlour game, a variety of charades in which one person must guess the adverb being acted out by the others. The Blisses are in their element, but the guests flounder and the game breaks up. Simon and Jackie exit to the garden, Sorel drags Sandy into the library, and David takes Myra outside.

There are flirtations galore abounding between family and various guests.

The madcap merriment continues the next day as well all the while believing their family is quite normal on all counts.

Rachel Nadeau is Sorrell, daughter to  the sister who is young and bored. Nadeau is excellent in the role, delivering a performance full of sass and finesse as she navigates past the quips and quirks with equal flair and style.

Patrick Martin Saunders is Simon, the spoiled, self-indulgent artist brother of the clan. He is an artist and a brat, big time. He is flamboyant in the extreme and un abashedly so. Saunders is a treat s the artistic brat who overindulges himself with flair and exaggeration at every turn.

Joanne Fayan is the flamboyant and overly theatrical mother, Judith. Her tongue is eveready to fire a new salvo of insults or witticism at the nearest available party and she frequently indulges herself in random flirtations with any available male. Fayan is a treat in the role, full of over done drama and exaggeration that make nit a comic delight whenever she is there, poised for some new barb and insidious comment.

John Michael Richardson is David, Judith’s foppish, husband and writer. He is obsessed about his book over nearly all else, needing it finish it, but not above making a pass at one of the guest along the way like Myron. It is just a part of him seeking his next muse. Richardson is sheer fun in the role, Richardson brings out the best in the role, full of flair and clever one liners which he delivers with skill and abrasive charm, making them hilarious.

Brendan Macera is Sandy Tyrell, a boxer and the young stud invited for the weekend by Judith and he is fascinated and entranced by her, every aspect about her.  Macera is excellent in the role and plays it to the hilt with a comic panache that is impressive and amusing.

David Sackel is Myron, whom Simon invited for the weekend. Sackel has comic verve and skill which shines throughout. He is especially funny in the flirtation scene with David, delivering moment of high hilarity with ease and assurance.

Nicholas Thibeault is Richard, the stuffy, all too proper diplomat the Sorel invites for the weekend. He is every bit stiff and proper but likeable none the less. Thibeault handles the role with skill and proper manner which is pure fun to watch..

Amy Thompson is Jackie, a humiliated flapper who is a bit ditzy. She is David’s weekend guest. Thompson handles it with dead one precisions, making ditzy highly entertaining and fun.

Ed Shea directs with a supple touch. He makes the most of this alight play and gets his cast to move airily along, getting the most mileage out of the quips and one liners that they can. It is comic fun, full of side splitting hilarity and some good comic touches like the dance Judith does and the charades sequence.

It’s a merry romp with venom galore shooting out in every direction, no target left untouched at ay time. It is hilarious nastiness all along the way, sure to please.

The set by Karl Pelletier is gorgeous, rich in detail and scope, a feast for the eyes The same can be said of Ron Cesario’s wonderful costumes. Both of these aptly capture the flavor of the times and the play itself with exuberance and style.

The play, one of Coward’s best loved thought slight on plot has much to offer brought vividly to life by some stunning performances, set and costumes. The laugsh are packed in here with a sense of malicious fun that is irresistible. While you  wouldn’t want to be on the receiving ends of these barbs, if is hilarious to watch them aimed and striking others.


            "Hay Fever" (18 July - 31 August)

2ND STORY THEATRE

@ 28 Market Street, WARREN RI

1(401)247 4200

“And Then There Were None” at 2nd Story Theatre

By Richard Pacheco

            The second play in repertory this summer at 2^nd Story Theatre is Agatha Christie’s classic mystery, “And Then There Were None” which is fun, well acted and full of assurance and sophisticated refinement throughout its large cast.

            “And Then There Were None” is a 1943 play by crime writer Agatha Christie. The play, like the 1939 book on which it is based, was originally titled and performed in the UK as “Ten Little Niggers.” It was also performed under the name “Ten Little Indians.” Christie had been pleased with the book, stating in her autobiography "I wrote the book after a tremendous amount of planning, and I was pleased with what I made of it.” While she didn’t feel it was her best play, she did feel it had the best craftsmanship. After turning down a request to dramatize the book, she did it herself after two years. The original nursery rhyme on which the book was based had an alternative ending which she used in the stage play.

            Ten people are enticed into coming to an island under different pretexts, i.e. offers of employment or to enjoy a late summer holiday, or to meet with old friends. In a recorded message, they all have been accused in being complicit in the death(s) of other human beings but either escaped justice or committed an act that was not subject to legal sanction after dinner the first night and are informed that they have been brought to the island to pay for their actions. They are the only people on the island, and cannot escape due to the distance from the mainland and the inclement weather, yet gradually all ten are killed in turn, in a manner that seems to parallel the ten deaths in the nursery rhyme.

            Sharon Carpentier is Mrs. Rogers the cook. She is dominated by her bullying husband, who withheld the medicine of their former employer. Mrs Rogers is haunted by the crime. Carpentier is excellent in the role, a fine mixture of guilt and a sense of practicality as the duties of the cook prevail.

            Walter Cotter is her husband, Thomas Rogers. He dominated his weak-willed wife and they killed their former elderly employer by withholding her medicine, causing the woman to die from heart failure and inheriting the money she bequeathed them in her will. Cotter is fine in the role, creating a strong sense of dominating his wife by whatever means he has to use. Underneath it all he conveys a sense of sleaziness that permeates everything around him.

The first arrivals of the guests on the island are Miss Claythorne, a secretary and Captain Lombard, a now retied military officer. Jay Bragan is Lombard, soldier of fortune down to his last square meal and desperate circumstances. Lombard is accused of causing the deaths East African tribesmen after he stole their food, leaving them to starve. He has no remorse about what he did at all and has no problem admitting to it. Bragan delivers the role with flair and exuberance. He is self-assured and has a bit of braggadocio about him that makes him charming, even when admitting to his flaws unapologetically.

Erin Elliot is Miss Claythorne is a cool, efficient, resourceful former teacher and governess, who has taken mostly secretarial jobs since her last job as a governess ended in the death of her charge, Cyril Hamilton, whom she intentionally allowed to swim out to sea with complex underlying issues. Elliot is pert and poised in the role, a mixtures of sincere fear with the increasingly dire circumstances and self assured about her.

Charles Lafond is Marston, a devil may care man who drives recklessly all the time without concern or remorse for any consequences. While driving recklessly once he killed to children and his only concern was losing his license for a year, not one iota for the children. Lafond offers a convincing portrait of this self-centered and self indulgent man whose man concern in life is speeding along highways and tough luck for anything or anyone who gets in his way. Lafond is full of swagger and arrogance, delivering the perfect portrait for the role.

Then there is Mr. Blore, Nathaniel Lee, who claims to be a wealthy man from South Africa, but is really something else. Lee is winning as the wealthy man with underlying motives for being there and hides some darker, deeper secrets, including who he really is. Lee delivers a solid performance, gliding effortlessly between his stuffy rich man persona and his real identity which is far more skeptical and distrustful.

General McKenzie is next on the arrival list a World War I veteran and hero who is accused of sending his younger wife’s lover to his death in an impossible mission which was doomed from minute one. His past and his experiences on the island make him fatalistic, convinced that no one will leave the island alive. Eric Behr as McKenzie is excellent as a man troubled by his past actions and full of dark feelings about all of their futures on the island.  He is the epitome of the stiff upper lip British officer, ready to take it all as it comes.

Then there is Miss Brent, a rigid repressed spinster who harbors ill feelings towards all and I unrelenting in her distastes of modern ways and modern young people, accusing all of such outrageous behavior as to be nearly unbearable. She has showed up on the island due to her increasingly dire financial straits. She dismissed her young maid for getting pregnant out or wedlock, even though the young woman had been dismissed by her parents already as well. The consequences were tragic and Brent has no empathy for the young woman at all or what happens to her. Paula Faber is excellent as Brent with a relentless and dour disapproval in her voice and mannerisms, an air of aloof condescension towards the others that is unyielding and merciless.

Then comes Judge Wargrave, a retired judge known as the hanging judge. The rimes he is accused of is driving a trial to convict a man of murder that most people thought was innocent and turns the trial to deliver a guilty verdict and the man is handed as a consequence. He has no remorse in the matter, in fact remain self convinced and confident that he is blameless and his whole life is totally blameless and a beacon of respectability and pure virtue. Jim Sullivan is excellent s the judge, at once the epitome of a self assured judge, full of conviction in the rightness of his own actions and never doubting his own sincerity or integrity, yet in fear for his life on this island cut off from the rest of the world.

The final guest is Dr. Armstrong, a Harley Street doctor who used to be an alcoholic and went from surgery, which had tragic consequences to treating nerve disorders, by far safer alternative particularly since giving up drinking altogether. F. William Oakes is the doctor who regrets his past but feels there was nothing he could have done or could do to changes that. Oakes provides a consistent fine performance as the doctor with overwhelming guilt from the past, who manages to put one foot in front of the other for the present and to continue his life regardless.

Together, this outstanding cast, deftly directed by Ed Shea is full of rich onstage relationships,  skillfully acted and which Shea, as director makes best use of their abilities combined and individually.

The set design by Karl Pelletier, which is also used for “Hay Fever” is superb, lavish and rich in details simply a visual feast and highly impressive. The Ron Cesario costumes are right on the mark, historically accurate and very effective to adding to the mood and atmosphere of the play with panache and finesse. It is gripping and fun theater, full of twist and turns and excellently acted, well directed with wonderful set and costumes, a real winner.

"And Then There Were None" (11 July - 31 August)

2ND STORY THEATRE

@ 28 Market Street, WARREN RI

1(401)247 4200

“Guys and Dolls” at Ocean State Theatre

by Richard Pacheco

            Ocean State Theatre’s current production of the Tony Award winning “Guys and Dolls” is sheer delight, robust, sassy, endless fun with winning performances and some stunning dancing and singing.

            “Guys and Dolls” is the musical with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser and book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows. It is based on "The Idyll of Miss Sarah Brown" and "Blood Pressure" – two short stories by Damon Runyon – and also borrows characters and plot elements from other Runyon stories – most notably "Pick the Winner" T he premiere on Broadway was in 1950. It ran for 1200 performances and won the Tony Award for Best Musical. The musical has had several Broadway and London revivals, as well as a 1955 film adaptation starring Marlon Brando, Jean Simmons, Frank Sinatra and Vivian Blaine. “Guys and Dolls “was selected as the winner of the 1951 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. However, because of writer Abe Burrows' troubles with the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC), the Trustees of Columbia University vetoed the selection, and no Pulitzer for Drama was awarded that year.

The story revolves around mainly two couples amidst an array od dancing girls and gamblers in NYC. Three small-time gamblers, Nicely-Nicely Johnson, Benny Southstreet, and Rusty Charlie argue over which horse will win in today’s race. (“Fugue for Tinhorns”) They are friends with Nathan Detroit who runs the oldest established floating crap game in New York and Nathan is in a tight spot with nowhere to run his game and lots of big gambles coming to town to play. Nathan must raise $1,000 to rent a garage to run his carp gap but is strapped for cash. One of the gamblers is Sky Masterson, a notorious gamble with a compulsion to bet on anything. Nathan proposes a bet which he believes he cannot lose: Sky must take a doll (a woman) of Nathan's choice to dinner in Havana, Cuba. Sky agrees, and Nathan chooses Sarah Brown of the Save A Soul Mission, not Masterson’s type at all.

Tom Andrew is Sky Masterson, a legendary gambler, someone willing to bet on just about anything and with a penchant for winning often against the odds. Andrew handles it all with aplomb and flair, making the portrayal fun and convincing throughout. He is excellent when he sings “My Time of Day’ and his duet with Sarah, “I’ve Never Been in Love Before’, the two of them vivacious and entrancing.

Rochelle Weinrauch is Sarah Brown, the woman from the mission with her own high ideals and agenda, faced with failure trying to recruit sinners to the mission. Weinrauch is poised and effective in the role, conveying a sense of properness and gentile manners coming to grips with dep emotions.

Kevin B. McGlynn is Nathan Detroir, the man behind the longest running floating crap game in NYC who always mages to put off marrying his girlfriend and fiancée of 12 years, Adelaide. He is an unrepentant gambler with a ingrained desire to keep his crap game going no matter what obstacles he faces, including Adelaide’s fierce disapproval. McGlynn shows real flair as Nathan, full of disarming charm and cunning about his gambling ways and how to maintain them in the face of relentless resistance.

Katie Clark is Adelaide, Nathan’s long suffering girlfriend and fiancé. A performer at the Hot Box Club, she is desperately in love with Nathan and even tells her mother lies about their relationship to prove signs of progress which don’t exist in real life. Clark is smart and sassy in the role, full of  a combination of sincere and a bit niave as well as street wise except in her blind spot, Nathan. It’s a thoroughly enjoyable performance full of grit and vigor. She is pure delight when she sings “Adelaide’s Lament”  She is just as enjoyable and winning when she sings “Take Back Your Mink” with the Hot Box girls.

The supporting cast adds so much to the production, all delivering solid and pleasing performances. Mathew Eamon Ryan is sheer fun as Nicely Nicely Johnson, one of Nathan’s cohorts. He shines with “Fugue for Tinhorns” sung with Jon Ramsey (Benny Southstreet) and Brandon Alberto (Rusty Charlie).

Brian Mulvey plays Rev. Abernathy, Sarah’s grandfather and he works at the mission as well. Mulvey is robust and sincere in the role, very convincing. He sines in singing “More I Cannot Wish You.”

Frank O’Donnell is Big Jule a notorious out of town gamble with a relentless desire to win and chase after loses, not matter what he has to do to recover, including intimidation if need be. Gruff, blunt intimidating and funny O’Donnell deliver a solid and enjoyable performance as the nefarious Big Jule.

David Groccia is the relentless detective Brannigan, determined to put an end to the floating crap game and arrest all the participants. Groccia is forceful and vigorous in the role.

Among the rest of the large cast there are many standouts. Jeanine Delacastro as the General for the mission, Jonathan Luke Stevens as Harry the Horse shines too.

            Directed and choreographed by Russell Garrett, the production is robust, vivid and energetic. The large scale dance numbers like the opening number and the dance and song number in the sewer by the men’s dance ensemble, “Crapshooters Dance” is vibrant, alive and rambunctious, pure delight and often dazzling.  The same with “Luck Be A Lady.” And the ensemble dance of  “Havana” is spirited, vibrant and enjoyable.

Justin P. Cowan is the musical director and handles it all with great flair and panache. The mescal numbers show great energy and style. The orchestra is outstanding, made up of talented musicians.  Songs ike the duet between Sarah and Adelaide, “Marry the Man Today” are spirited and expressive, fun and full of earnestness.

            The scenic and lighting design by Bert Scott is often stunning, creating a vivid mood and atmosphere.

            This is a pure fun show, full of dazzling dancing and exceptional singing, sure to please and be totally enjoyable, great summer fare. The choruses are fantastic with their dancing abilities and singing abilities, full of oomph and sheer fun. The large cast, including the gamblers and th Hot Box girls are talented and energetic, never failing to please or delight. The cast got a well deserved standing ovation.

            “Guys and Dolls” July 9 – 27.

OCEAN STATE THEATRE COMPANY

@ 1245 Jefferson Boulevard, WARWICK RI

1(401)921-6800