Review of "This Beautiful City

Richmond Triangle Players strike a thought-provoking chord

            With only a few days left in its run, “This Beautiful City” is a must see for anyone who enjoys a theatrical production that will not only make you laugh but will also start thoughtful conversations.

            “This Beautiful City” is Richmond Triangle Players’ contribution to The Acts of Faith Festival. It epitomizes what the festival is all about – getting folks to talk and think about the subject being presented on stage.

            The show was developed from numerous interviews with residents of Colorado Springs in 2006 when a state constitutional amendment defining marriage was up for vote. At the time, Colorado Springs was the unofficial capital of the evangelical movement with church leaders such as Ted Haggard and groups such as Focus on the Family.

            The play looks at the religious and political atmosphere in Colorado Springs at the time, giving you the opportunity to think about what it means to be a Christian in today’s world.

            Actors in the production play a multitude of characters, from a priest to a born-again Christian who was once a drug addict; from an economic development professional helping to build the evangelical movement to Ted Haggard, a powerful preacher who hid behind his secrets.

            The company of actors is strong and talented. Each brings his or her multiple characters to life in a realistic and entertaining fashion. Particular standouts characters include Christy Mullins in her role as a zany born-again Christian, Tarnee Kendall Hudson as the new pastor at Emmanuel and Andrew Hamm as the writer of an alternative newspaper and as the RHOP leader. With that said, each member of the cast shines at one time or another during the production.

            Whatever your religion or belief, “This Beautiful City” will make you realize that life is not as clearly defined as one would hope. As director, John Knapp, writes in his notes  “It’s not all black and white.”

            “This Beautiful City” runs through February 5 at Richmond Triangle Players.

            

Review of "The Foreigner"

            In its newest offering, “The Foreigner,” Swift Creek Mill Theater takes a lighthearted look at how we relate to people of other nationalities.

In the play, the foreigner is Charlie, a timid, boring man, who wants nothing more than to be left alone while he spends a few days at Betty Meeks’ Fishing Lodge in Georgia. He’s traveled from London with his friend Froggy who concocts the story that Charlie doesn’t speak English as a way to keep people from talking to him. Because they don’t believe Charlie can understand what they are saying, the guests at the lodge spill their darkest secrets in front of him, which leads to a whirlwind of events.

Even though there are serious undertones in the play, especially at the end, most of the action is playful and at times almost vaudevillian. The first act builds slowly as it sets the tone of the play.

The cast works well as an ensemble, playing off of each other with relative ease. Standouts include Jay Welch as Ellard, the younger brother of Catherine who is set to marry the secretive Rev. Lee. Ellard is thought to be slow on the uptake but proves he’s smarter than people realize. Welch draws on that assumption to elicit laughs. He is at his best when he attempts to teach Charlie the English language.

Michelle Black is quite comfortable in her role as the naïve Betty Meeks. Bill Brock takes on the nasty Owen Musser with conviction. James Rees brings swagger to the role of Froggy, a demolitions expert. Sarah Legere, who plays Catherine, delivers a solid performance as does Jonathan Hardison who plays Rev. Lee.

In his role as Charlie, Richard Koch owns the stage. In much of the play he has to rely solely on facial expressions and gestures to generate laughs. He has great fun imitating Ellard’s every move at the breakfast table and blurting out gibberish disguised as a foreign language. His comic timing is spot on throughout the play.

Director and scenic designer Tom Width is to be commended for his detailed, realistic lodge design. Joe Doran’s lighting adds to the show’s realism, as well.

“The Foreigner” is a fun evening with lots of hearty laughs. The show runs through October 23^rd. 

            

Review of "Shipwrecked!"

        Anyone who loves listening to yarns will be pleased with the engaging storytelling in Barksdale Theatre’s new production of “Shipwrecked!” An Entertainment – The Amazing Adventures of Louis De Rougemond (As Told by Himself).

         In the production, Louis takes the audience through the chapters of his life, living out adventures that often resemble the stories his mother read to him when he was a sickly child. At 16, he sets off on his adventure, befriending a surly sea captain who is off to find pearls in the Coral Sea. After a violent storm, Louis finds himself shipwrecked on an island with his canine companion. After a few years the two are rescued by Aborigines one of which becomes Louis’ wife. When he eventually returns to England, Louis writes his memoirs and is heralded as a hero until people begin questioning the validity of his story.

         Joe Inscoe takes on the role of Louis with boundless energy, creating a convincing portrait of a man awed by the world around him. As he does in other roles, Inscoe gets to the soul of the character where he finds everything from childlike wonder to doubt. He also interacts with the audience in a comfortable way that fits into this incredible yarn quite nicely.

         Inscoe is joined on stage by two actors – Carolyn Meade and Scott Wichmann – who play various roles. Meade moves from loving mother to a gruff sea captain to Louis’ Aboriginal wife with ease and quickness.

         Wichmann draws the biggest laughs as Louis’ canine companion. His portrayal of the pooch is a close to the real thing as it gets. He nails the dog’s curious and puzzling expressions as well as its frenzied movements and natural panting. Wichmann is also a hoot as Queen Victoria and endearing as a young boy who finds disappointment in his hero.

         Even though it’s sparse, Brian Barker’s set is extremely effective, especially the puppet-theater-style curtain that serves as a backdrop for behind-the-scenes action. The use of sound devices that are in eyesight of the audience and create everything from a crackling fire to a listing ship amplifies the storytelling aspect of the production.

         “Shipwrecked!” is an entertaining yarn. The one-hour-and-45-minute intermission-less show feels a bit long but keeps your attention nevertheless. The show runs through October 24^th at Barksdale Theatre.

         

The Fantasticks

            The Fantasticks premiered Off-Broadway in 1960, a time of social revolution and new discoveries. On Aug. 19, the show was brought back to the stage by Cadence Theatre Company.

            The plotline is simple, a neighboring boy and girl fall in love, believing their fathers would squelch any relationship between the two. In reality, their dads are plotting to have their son and daughter marry one another. Things go awry and at one point the two lovers take different paths. It’s not until they experience life that they discover what they have lost.

While many productions today are going grander in style and size, The Fantasticks relies on its simplicity to entertain. The sparse, only-the-essentials set and intimacy of the show works well in the new Richmond Triangle Players theatre.

The cast gels together quite nicely. Aly Wepplo and Billy Christopher Maupin bring energy to their roles as the idealistic lovers. Michael Hawke and Gayle Turner are fun to watch as the two dads who are as protective of their gardens as they are their children.

As El Gallo, a storyteller with a vested interest in the story, Russell Rowland is in prime vocal form. Steve Moore and Stephen Ryan play off of each other as the two stock actors.

While the actors in this production are very entertaining, the play itself feels a bit dated and lacking when it comes to character development. Except for the classic “Try to Remember,” the songs are ones that you probably won’t remember.

The Fantasticks has its appeal to many theatergoers – it ran for 42 years – but for me, this production gets its life from the actors not the play.

The Fantasticks runs through Aug. 28. For V for Women and Joan Tupponce.com, this is Joan with One Woman’s View.

Review of On Golden Pond

Artistic Director Bruce Miller was smart to choose “On Golden Pond” for the summer slot at Barksdale Theatre at Hanover Tavern. The production is humorous and heartwarming.

The play focuses on an aging couple, Norman and Ethel, who spend their summers at their home on Golden Pond in New England. It deals with a variety of issues, everything from aging to acceptance. The play’s charm comes from its gentle mix of humor and sentimentality.

In their roles as Ethel and Norman, Kelly Kennedy and Joe Inscoe give the play life and believability. Their acting is honest, comfortable and heartfelt.

As Ethel, Kennedy shows compassion in dealing with Norman’s crony barbs as well as his deteriorating health. She skillfully portrays a woman who loves her husband even though the two have different ways of dealing with the uncertainty of the future. The energy she brings to the stage helps to diffuse Norman’s cynical attitude.

Joe Inscoe embodies the character of Norman, a crusty old man with a quick wit and guarded emotions. Inscoe is a master at slipping into the skin of a character and living in that skin during his time on stage. He exposes Norman’s loveable, more vulnerable side in his exchanges with 13-year-old Billy Ray, the soon-to-be stepson of Norman’s daughter, Chelsea. Even though Norman can be gruff at times, Inscoe gives the character a relatable and endearing quality.

Other solid performances include Jill Bari Steinberg as Chelsea, a daughter who must reconcile her feelings toward her father; Eric Pastore as Billy Ray, the youngster who gives Norman a new outlook on life as well as a new vocabulary; Frank Creasy as Charlie, the local mailman; and Andrew Boothby as Bill Ray, Chelsea’s soon-to-be husband.

Special mention also goes to Terrie Powers and David Powers who have created a set that is so cozy and realistic you feel as though you are sitting in Norman and Ethel’s living room alongside them.

“On Golden Pond” resonates with people of all ages. It is heartfelt, nostalgic and witty. It’s a fun evening at the theater. The show runs through August 29th.

For V for Women and JoanTupponce.com this is Joan with One Woman’s View.

The Empire Theatre comes alive with “The Sound of Music”

Loyal fans of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “The Sound of Music” are going to be thrilled with Barksdale Theatre and Theatre IV’s production of the classic musical.


The action takes place just before World War II when Austria was being taken over by the German regime. The story, loosely based on the real life von Trapp family singers, centers around Maria who is studying to become a nun. The Mother ABiss decides that Maria needs to figure out what she really wants out of life and sends her to serve as a governess to the von Trapp family. The seven children in the family grow to love Maria as does their father, Captain von Trapp. When it comes time for the family to leave their beloved Austria, they use their musical talents to help them escape.

Director Chase Kniffen has taken this beloved musical and given it new energy and charm. The show literally leaps off the stage, giving it a realism that draws you into the action. Kniffen has done a magnificent job of casting the play, a difficult task given the number of children that auditioned for the chance to be on stage. Although the show has a large cast, the stage never seems overcrowded or chaotic.

The realistic scenic design by Brian Barker which reflects not only the tradition and spiritual essence of the nunnery but also the richness of the von Trapp household coupled with Lynne Hartman’s artistic lighting designs adds to the realism and seamless ease of scene changes on the stage.

The talented cast in this production delivers a show that lives up to its stage and film predecessors. The singing talent is quite amazing. There isn’t a weak voice in the cast.

Jody Ashworth who plays Captain von Trapp delivers deep, rich vocals that resound throughout the theatre. Kara Harman is spot on in the role of The Mother ABiss. Her rendition of “Climb Every Mountain” will touch your soul.

Michael Hawke has delightful fun with his role as family friend, Max, as does Susan Sanford as Elsa, a woman who almost becomes the matron of the von Trapp family.

The young actors that play the von Trapp children are as cute as they are talented. The cuteness factor hits it height with Ellie Wilson as the young Gretl and Cooper Timberline as Kurt. All the young actors deliver solid vocals, especially Ali Thibodeau who plays 16-year-old Liesl. Her duet with love interest Matt Polson has a childlike lightness that is sure to bring a smile to your face.

With a cast as talented as this, it’s difficult for someone to steal the show but Stacey Cabaj comes very close to doing that. She is the epitome of Maria – gentle, fun-loving, determined and she can sing like an angel. The enthusiasm and honesty she brings to the role is as real as it gets. What a joy to watch.

“The Sound of Music” is the perfect family entertainment. It will make diehard fans of the musical stand up and cheer. The show runs through July 4 at the historic Empire Theatre.

For V for Women and Joan Tupponce.com, this is Joan with One Woman’s View.

Henley Street Theatre delivers a classic with a message

The issues that “A Doll’s House” addresses are as relevant today as they were when Henrik Ibsen wrote the play in the 1800s.


The show, Henley Street Theatre Company’s current offering, is presented as part of The Minds Wide Open Festival. The play is set in a time when there was no equality in a marriage; a time when married women had few rights. The thought of a woman making her own choices in order to find self-fulfillment was absurd. In “A Doll’s House,” the lead character Nora leaves her children and husband to find her own voice. Because this notion was so outrageous at the time, Ibsen was asked to change the ending of the play to meet the social norm.

While the play addresses social stigmas that involve women, the messages it delivers – the importance of equality and becoming self-aware and, in turn, self-fulfilled – are universal.

Working with a newer translation of the play, Director Anna Johnson has successfully made the subject matter current and understandable.

Andrew Boothby plays Nora’s husband, Torvald, who thinks of his wife as a porcelain doll that could be easily broken if given too much freedom. His portrayal aptly reflects how the character sees Nora as a beloved possession that is unable to make independent decisions. Boothby picks up on the character’s inability to emotionally connect with his wife on an equal level.

Freddy Kaufman is delightful in his role as Dr. Rank, a family friend who secretly loves Nora. He has a commanding presence on stage that adds a lightness and honesty to the situation.

John Moon is convincing as Nils who desperately tries to hold onto his job by blackmailing Nora. Jolene Carroll falls into the role of Nora’s housekeeper and nanny with ease.

In her role as Nora, Jennie Meharg skillfully portrays both Nora’s naive childlike notions as well as her womanly need to learn more about herself and the world. Meharg expertly uses small subtleties – a nervous laugh, a rapid answer, an incomplete thought -- to make Nora’s uneasiness apparent.

Henley Street’s “A Doll’s House” is an entertaining, thought provoking production. The play runs through May 29. For V for Women and Joan Tupponce.com, this is Joan with One Woman’s View.