Malini Singh mcdonald

Review: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof by Tennessee Williams

Capture The lights come up on an inviting bed/sitting room with French doors opening out to a view of a magnificent plantation. This sets the tone for those familiar with a Tennessee Williams play. You are invited to observe the web of secrets, deception, and shame and they begin with the opening lines between Maggie and Brick. The performance of this play hinges on a Maggie who entices the audience with her sensuality and a Brick who commits to his lengthy silences; a Big Daddy who is foreboding and unforgiving in his machismo and a Big Mama who is manipulative in her damedom; and a Gooper and Mae who have their own story supported by children who add to the chaos. The other characters are either managing the chaos or unintentionally adding to it.

Under the flawless direction of Kevin Schwab, the Parkside Players produced this wordy and layered play to great success. Mendacity is reflected in the subtle glances, closing and opening of the doors, and the story told between pauses and proximity between the actors. Cat on a Hot Tin Roof is one of Tennessee William’s best known plays. This strong ensemble cast unabashedly convey all aspects of dying, alcoholism, deceit, love, and sex. The winner takes it all but who is the winner?

Parkside Players
Grace Lutheran Church
103-15 Union Turnpike, Forest Hills, NY 11375

Performances
Fridays, February 26 & March 4 @ 8:00 PM
Saturdays, February 20, 27 & March 5 @ 8:00 PM
Sundays, Februaryr 21 & 28 @ 2:00 PM

Visit www.parksideplayers.com for more info.

February 21, 2016May 29, 2017 by malinism Categories: Beyond Broadway, New York City, NYC Theatre, Random Musings, ReviewsTags: cat on a hot tin roof, parkside players, tennessee williams, theatre Leave a comment

Review: The Extraordinary Fall of the Four-Legged Woman by Lily Ali-Oshatz

Capture “Freaks raised to nobility” sings M the Ringmaster. It’s the timeless tale of boy meets four-legged girl. However, who’s the freak? Fans of Side Show and American Horror Story: Freak Show will love this a cappella musical. Based on the true story of Myrtle Corbin, played by Madeline Bugeau-Heartt, the musical is about a woman who was born a dipygus and has created a normal life within her circus family. Clinton Bicknell, played by Justy Kosek, is a magician who sees her act and falls in love. Corbin is torn between the only family she knows and the unknown represented by the young lover who is courting her.

Directed by Madeline Wall, the talented ensemble cast of six tell this simple story on a mostly bare stage. A string of lights represent the circus tent and a handful of props are used to navigate scene changes and new locations. Running at 45 minutes, the show fits perfectly into the Frigid Festival’s schedule. There are 4 performances left so definitely catch this unique and experimental piece of art.

The Kraine Theatre

85 E 4th St, New York, NY 10003

Feb. 20th 6:40pm

Feb. 22nd 8:50pm

Feb. 27th 1:40pm

Mar. 2nd 8:50pm

extraordinary.fall@gmail.com

Visit http://www.extraordinaryfall.com/ for more info.

February 19, 2016May 29, 2017 by malinism Categories: Beyond Broadway, Frigid Festival, NYC Theatre, Openings, Random Musings, ReviewsTags: Frigid, Reviews, The Extraordinary Fall of the Four-Legged Woman Leave a comment

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.

December 18, 2015May 29, 2017 by malinism Categories: Reviews, Uncategorized Leave a comment

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

November 21, 2015May 29, 2017 by malinism Categories: Limelight November Project, Random Musings, TBB InterviewsTags: DUETS, megan minutillo, TBB Interviews, The Write Teacher(s) Leave a comment

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

November 20, 2015May 29, 2017 by malinism Categories: Limelight November Project, Random Musings, TBB InterviewsTags: Astoria Bookshop, Boundless Tales, Inspired Word, Joan Becht Willette, Nature of the Muse, poetry, queens artists community, The Enchanted Goddess 1 Comment

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

November 19, 2015November 19, 2015 by malinism Categories: Limelight November Project, Random MusingsTags: Big Girl Panties, Jennifer Ho-Dougatz, podcast, TBB Interviews Leave a comment

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:

November 17, 2015November 17, 2015 by malinism Categories: Limelight November Project, Poetry, QueensTags: Audrey Dimola, Poem, poetry, TBB Interviews Leave a comment

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:

Capture

November 16, 2015 by malinism Categories: Independent Theatre, Limelight November Project, Midtown International Theatre Festival, NYC TheatreTags: Midtown International Theatre Festival, padraic lillis, TBB Interviews, The American Soldier, the farm theater 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:

www.jasonlasky.strikingly.com
@j_lasky_writer

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November 11, 2015 by malinism Categories: Limelight November ProjectTags: Jason Lasky, mend the envelope, Midtown International Theatre Festival, TBB Interviews Leave a comment

Gloria Jittansingh is in the Limelight (on Diwali)

Name: 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.