Category: Theater

Guest Blogger Nick Radu’s Review of The Tower

  
AntiMatter Collective put on a truly interesting evening of theater entertainment as part of the SubletSeries@HERE with their production of The Tower. The audience was brought into the space and collectively told about the tour they would be embarking on. The backdrop opened onto an entire set in which audience members could roam. There was the cut-away of a log cabin, a picnic table, camp sites with chairs and even debris on the ground to demarcate that we were clearly in the woods. Trees aligned the walls and the sounds of birds and crickets could be heard.
As the tour commenced we were transported back to 1846 as we watched the Donners, the Reeds and other families live out their lives as they traveled west to California; or got caught in a violent snowstorm doing so.This beautiful ensemble cast was a pleasure to watch as they acted out the lives of these ill-fated travelers. One group stayed to weather out the storm, while another party went off in search of help and supplies. The amazing movement sequences, whether in unison or jumbled around, brought such a great understanding of the monotony of the world they lived in.

Projections for snowfall and video for certain scenes also enhanced the experience. However, certain media and other props and effects, such as an electric iron and grille and a seventies disco nightmare dance, pulled us away from the feel of the tough wilderness we had become accustomed to enduring with the characters. It isn’t subtitled The Psychedelic Tragedy of the Donner Party for nothing. That said, I do enjoy a good dance sequence, and these things helped to lighten the heaviness of the show and it’s gruesome topic.

Philip Gates did an excellent job directing this crazy piece of art. Kudos, again, to the wonderful cast for their commitment and talent. Other than standing for the majority of the two hours, as we moved out of the actors’ way and followed the action of the two stories, this was a very enjoyable evening out. Except for maybe those who got eaten.

   

    

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Meet Megan Minutillo

Name: Megan Minutillo

What’s your current project: thewriteteachers.com (ongoing), The Ugly Christmas Sweater Soiree, LOVE SONGS for VDay, DUETS with The Write Teacher(s), H…

Why and how are you involved? I’m the founder of the website, I’m the producer/director of the three concerts, and I wrote H.

Website/Facebook/Twitter Handle: www.meganminutillo.com, no public Facebook page, but I’m on as Megan Minutillo, twitter + instagram @MeganMinutillo.

View More: http://tiffanyfarley.pass.us/meganminutillo

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Meet Joan Becht Willette

 Name: Joan Becht Willette

What’s your current project: “The Enchanted Goddess: Literary Creative Arts Series” is my dream project come true! I believe that women are born creators and that we transform our lives in creative community.  There is a monthly “The Enchanted Goddess Writing Workshop” for new and emerging writers. This is where we gather and break bread, share life experiences and write in community. Also, there is a monthly “The Enchanted Goddess Reading Series,” where we meet at The Astoria Bookshop and read an inspirational book together and have lively transformational discussions.

Currently I am working on a collection of poetry and prose entitled “Soul Retrieval.” I just finished a QAI funded project by RPGA Studios titled, “The Poet Is In.” This was a community based project in Socrates Park, where I created personalized ” Poetry Portraits” on a sunny Saturday afternoon. I was just featured as a “Literary Artist” in the debut web TV series “ArtistSpace” produced by Empyre Media Productions. Currently, I am being featured in a QPTV Artist Interview show – airing in December 2015.

It has been exciting to have several pieces of my work published in various journals this year! I couldn’t have done all this, without my amazing supportive creative Queens Artists Community!

Going to weekly Open Mic’s helps hone my craft. Upcoming features: December 2015: “Women’s Poetry Showcase” at Inspired Word, January 2016: “Nature of the Muse at LIC Bar and February 2016: “Boundless Tales” at Astoria Bookshop.

Why and How You Are Involved: “Creativity is the portal to transformation!” Women are overworked, overcommitted and overwhelmed in their everyday lives. I am a Baby Boomer and sexism ran rampant for decades in my life. I am “A New Age Feminist,” Women were conditioned to put everybody’s needs first at home, in the workplace and in our communities. Creativity is the life force that fills our wells. Women naturally gather and support one another, and it has been my dream to combine women collaborating and creating together in a relaxed and creative venue. “The Enchanted Goddess: Literary Creative Arts Series” provides a space for women to have creative discourse and create the life they have always dreamed of! Writing is a voyage of self discovery and Reading unlocks secret chambers of the soul. This is where the “alchemy of transformation” happens!  I know this for sure. It has happened in my life and I want to share creative adventures with the women in my community and beyond!

Website: JoanBechtWillette.com.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theliterarygoddess or search by:The Enchaned Goddess: Literary Creative Arts Series.

Twitter: JoanofAstoria

 

 

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Jennifer Ho-Dougatz is in the Limelight

Name: Jennifer Ho-Dougatz

Current Project: Big Girl Panties

Why/ How I am involved: Host and Producer

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bgppodcast

Website: iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/pk/podcast/big-girl-panties/id986646191?mt=2

Stitcher: http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/big-girl-panties

 

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Audrey Dimola is in the Limelight

Name: Audrey Dimola

What’s your current project: spreading positivity and power through guerrilla poetry stickers and handwritten/handmade street art

Why and how are you involved:

i feel that part of my duty on this earth is to be a messenger- to remind people of their own limitlessness and the power of words. aside from more traditional performances and self-published books, i’m basically finding every way i can to put those positive messages out into the world in unexpected places- chalk graffiti, guerrilla poetry stickers, handmade/handpainted signs tied up or velcro’d around the city. the compass project is actually migrating across the globe thanks to friends and fans of the stickers! some of my biggest messages are: STAY WILD, STAY GRATEFUL; IDENTIFY WITH THE INFINITE; THE MAGIC ONLY STOPS WHEN YOU SAY SO; and of course, very important to this mission- CREATE WHAT YOU WISH TO EXPERIENCE. bomb positive! change the landscape. if we don’t do it, who will?

Website/FB/Twitter handle:

 

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Padraic Lillis is in the Limelight

Name: Padraic Lillis

What’s your current project: The American Soldier a solo show by Douglas Taurel running Nov. 18th – 22nd at the Midtown International Theater Festival

Why and how are you involved? I directed the play. Douglas put together this incredibly project exploring PTSD of soldier and family members of soldiers from letters and interviews from each of the wars in our country’s history. The show had an excellent run in Edinburgh Festival and we look forward to continuing to present the work. His shaping of the piece and his acting is really impactful.

Website/Facebook:

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by Categories: Independent Theatre, Limelight November Project, Midtown International Theatre Festival, NYC TheatreTags: , , , , Leave a comment

Jason Lasky is in the Limelight

Name: Jason Lasky

Current Project: Mend the Envelope at the Midtown International Theater Festival; Dates are Nov. 12, 14, 15

Why/ How I am involved: Playwright/Producer

Website & Twitter: 

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Gloria Jittansingh is in the Limelight (on Diwali)

IMG_5133-0Name: Gloria Jittansingh

What’s your current project: The celebration of the Hindu holiday, Diwali.

Why and how are you involved?  Diwali is the Festival of Lights and a very important day of spiritual celebration for Hindus across the world. I am celebrating it here in Trinidad. Each year we fast the day before and the day after, clean my home and light diyas. All faiths celebrate this holiday as it is a very holy day – a time for reflection and time with the family.

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Patrice Miller is in the Limelight

Name: Patrice Miller

What’s your current project: Poetry Electric’s Mother Tongue at La MaMa

Why and how are you involved? La MaMa has always opened its doors to me and invited me to challenge myself as an audience member and artist. I’m overjoyed to be a featured poet/performer at Poetry Electric.

Facebook/Twitter Handle:

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(that’s me at the Inspired Word back in September – the gestures and faithful binder return Nov 9th!)
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Guest Blogger: Nick Radu Reviews Who’ll Save the Plowboy?

Jerry Rago as Albert Cobb and Julie Hays as Helen Cobb (Photos courtesy of Hershey Miller)
Jerry Rago as Albert Cobb and Julie Hays as Helen Cobb (Photos courtesy of Hershey Miller)

Who’ll Save the Plowboy? brings us into the small New York apartment of husband and wife, Albert and Helen Cobb, played by Jerry Rago and Julie Hays, respectively.  It is clear at the top of the show that the two have a very strained relationship, to say the least.  They are awaiting the arrival of Albert’s old friend and WWII buddy, Larry Doyle, played by Robert Haufrecht.  Larry saved Albert’s life during the war, and after losing touch for some time, is in town and on his way to visit his old friend.

Bradley Wherle’s set is comprised of a bare-bones, non-descript apartment with a few walls, entrances, a couple pieces of furniture and a window ingeniously placed into the grooves of the small Davenport Theater.  Even the creative picture frames, painted blue like the wall, give us no hint to the kind of life these two lead.

Rago and Cobb don’t disappoint in showing us the hard life they have together during the time before Haufrecht’s entrance, after which we get to see some beautiful moments.  Rago and Haufrecht have some great banter, and even greater timing, as they discuss (or try not to discuss) the subject of the Cobb’s son, Larry, Jr.  Haufrecht is a pleasure to watch as you see the layers of emotion in his eyes after being asked about his wife, Veronica.

Tom Ashton gives us a nice taste of a couple characters, while Alex Vamvonkakis pulls off the boy next door.

But it is Spring Condoyan, playing Mrs. Doyle (Larry’s mother), who steals the show.  Her slow, deliberate delivery made her a pleasure to watch.  She had many wonderful moments, but the look she gave Helen right before her exit spoke a thousand words.  Her subtext and subtlety left us begging for more.

While I share a birthday with the late Frank D. Gilroy (October 13th), I feel the play is dated, repetitive and heavy.  Hays gave a lovely performance, but unfortunately her character had no redeeming qualities, just one of the downfalls of the misogynistic writing she fell prey to.

Director Marcia Haufrecht and her cast do a wonderful job of leaving us with the question: Have our actions, no matter how good the intention, left the world a better place?

VENUE
The Davenport Theatre Black Box
at 354 West 45th Street
New York, NY 10036
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

Wednesday, November 11 at 8pm
Thursday, November 12 at 8pm
Friday, November 13 at 8pm
Saturday, November 14 at 8pm
Sunday, November 15 at 3pm (matinee)
Wednesday, November 18 at 8pm
Thursday, November 19 at 8pm
Friday, November 20 at 8pm
Saturday, November 21 at 8pm (closing)

BUY TICKETS
Click here or call 1-800-838-3006.

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