“Distracted” A Comedy and a Question
Rhonda Clark, Director of “Distracted” currently showing at Carpenter Square Theatre likes to make the audience work a little bit, as does author Lisa Loomer. Nevertheless the cast makes the show look easy even though it is certainly difficult. The humor and relativity of the subject reaches out to every parent and teacher as they witness the tough choices parents can be facing. “Distracted” is a comedy with a question rather than a message.
Mona Campbell does an exceptional job of creating Mama, the young mother trying to wade through the system with a child diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder. No one can be quite certain if ADD or ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder) is a condition, a disease or the normal behavior of an active but difficult child. The play takes Mona through the funny yet heartbreaking discussions she has with teachers, doctors and friends and neighbors as she and her husband struggle to find answers. Dad is well played by David Burkhart and son Jesse is realistically played by Ian McDougall. These three establish a believable family unit who face this daunting challenge with humor as they attempt to educate themselves about an increasingly common situation with no clear answers.
Weaving throughout the show several actors portray the teachers, psychologists, physicians, administrators and neighbors and they all take many parts. Dana Palmer shines in her several roles ranging from UPS delivery man to psychologist to teacher. Mary Ingram also manages her numerous roles distinctly and with distinction. Andy Neill portrays Dr. Broder, Dr. Jinks and Dr. Karnes and while he does a wonderful characterization with great humor, he would do well to differentiate them a bit more solidly. CheyAnne Strickler is Natalie, the neighbor’s teenage daughter who has also been through the maze of school induced psychological counseling and either suffers from a severe condition, or is she simply over-medicated. Strickler lets Mona and the audience sees what happens with treatment run amok.
Angela Curtis is delightful as neighbor and advisor as Natalie’s mom, she has seen it all. Lana Henson’s portrayal of the very wacky neighbor Vera is amusing and catalytic.
And the work is worth the effort. Because Clark takes advantage of the humor and sympathy of the characters Loomer has created with a good cast the work isn’t very hard—but it is still quite scary. Scary because it is commonplace to face what these parents face and risk losing the childhood of a child. The bureaucracy and insensitivity within the system are frightening burdens, but this play gives the audience hope that one answer exists. That answer is to accept and love the child created in love, then do the best you can do.
“Distracted” is showing through June 9, 2012 at Carpenter Square Theatre. Carpenter Square is located at 800 West Main and tickets are available through the box office at 405-232-6500 or at csttickets@sbcglobal.net.
(abridged) Shows Bring Evening of Laughter to OKC for One Weekend Only
For anyone who has never performed in a comedy, it may come as a surprise that it is incredibly difficult to be funny. Correct timing and tone (and some flexibility) is a requirement. That being said, anyone who has seen a Reduced Shakespeare Company Show will know that this talented bunch has discovered all the secrets of a successful comedy.
Founded in 1981, The Reduced Shakespeare Company took on the task of tackling large topics in a limited amount of time. For one weekend only, RSC is bringing two of their gut-busting productions to Oklahoma City Repertory Theatre. OKC theatre patrons can catch performances ofThe Complete World of Sports (abridged) and Completely Hollywood (abridged) in the Freede Little Theatre at the Civic Center Music Hall. After their performances this weekend, the RSC crew is taking their show across the pond for a 5 week tour in the UK and a 6 week season in London’s West End.
The troupe consists of three performers, Dominic Conti, Reed Martin and Austin Tichenor. All three perform marvelously under pressure. In Thursday night’s performance of The Complete World of Sports (abridged) all three actors proved they were obviously skilled improvisors. The trio (who also wrote and directed both shows) engaged the audience in a performance with minor tweaks that gives the show a home-town feel. Sporting jerseys from the Thunder, OU Sooners and OSU Cowboys, the actors gave a run-down of the histories of a variety of colorful sports from every continent. They kept the audience laughing all night with lots of quick-paced action, physical comedy and witty jokes.
The Complete World of Sports (abridged) has one more performance left on Friday, May 18th at 7:30pm (that’s tonight, by the way). After that, they switch gears and take on Completely Hollywood (abridged) Saturday at 7:30pm and Sunday at 1:30pm. If you see one, you will want to make sure you see the other, so make sure you clear your schedule for both shows!
There is a lot going on this weekend, but with such a limited time to see this talented group perform, this is not one to miss. For more information, visit City Rep’s website at cityrep.com, or call the box office at 405-848-3761 for tickets.
-written by Victoria Stahl
Sense and Sensibility is Relevant and Irreverent Fun!
Erin Woods, Managing Director at Reduxion Theatre Company, adapted and directed “Sense and Sensibility” at the Broadway Theater, located at 1613 N Broadway Ave. The adaptation stays true to the central idea behind the conception of RTC—revisit the classics, distilled. Her retelling of the Austen novel didn’t stray from the themes of the popular story but made a few tweaks that definitely made the show more relatable to today’s audiences. This is her second original adaptation, and I’m anxious to attend the next RTC production (the Jane Austen Festival, June 14-16) to see the stage reading of her first adaptation, “Pride and Prejudice”.
The show stars Jennifer Wells as Elinor (Elle) and Rachael Barry as Marianne. While the story, as all Austen novels are, is ostensibly about the business of getting a husband and starting a life, “Sense and Sensibility” is one of the only Austen novels that portrays the heroine’s family as sympathetic characters, rather than bumbling idiots who nearly ruin her entire life. Wells and Barry play well as sisters, and embody the true theme of the novel—I love my sister more than anything, even if she is truly ridiculous sometimes. Less central to the story but still the impetus behind every twist in the plot are the other women in the play. Mrs. Mary Dashwood, played by Kris Schinske; Mrs. Jennings, played by Elizabeth Ann Brooks; Fanny Dashwood, played by Siobhan Morava; and Lucy Steele, played by Holly McNatt all did an excellent job portraying the various archetypes characterized in the novel. My favorite performance, though, was that of Taylor Munholland as Mags. She had few speaking lines, but managed to project her entire character mainly with body language and facial expressions.
While the women of the play did the heavy lifting of moving the plot along, the object of all their struggles were certainly the men. Timothy Berg played John Dashwood, Willoughby and Thomas Palmer—I had no idea he’d played all three, he did a fantastic job differentiating between the three of them. Tyler Woods played Colonel Brandon and definitely gave him a more masculine attitude than I’d ever picked up in the novel. Ian Clinton did a great job with Eddie Ferrars, and I loved Paul James as Jonathan Middleton.
Presented in the round, the theater itself gave opportunities to update the story. The characters walked through the audience members, chatting with them, asking them to hold their coffee mugs, etc. Costume Designer Stephanie Orr, with assistants Caitlin Yost and Amy Kercher, did an amazing job dressing each character for their part. The musical numbers interspersed throughout the play by Musical Director Kristin Marie Stang were a great foreshadowing device. While I don’t feel that every single idea worked, Woods and Catherine Pitt (Production Stage Manager) made sure that this new retelling was entertaining and fresh. Call 405.651.3191 or go to http://reduxiontheatre.com/Tickets.html to reserve tickets. Take your sister!
– Keely Womack
An Impending Rupture of the Belly Comments on Society
The worst aspect of the Theory of Evolution is that it may also run backwards. Can a species go through a process of devolution? Or is it just a case of the older generation wondering what the younger generation is coming to? Irresponsibility is the height of fashion and many individuals are unable to face themselves and their truth. Denial is a favorite psychological buzzword because it is so prevalent.
Ghostlight Theatre Club is currently showing “An Impending Rupture of the Belly” by Matt Pelfrey which addresses these concepts by chronicling the inevitable disintegration of a man unable to face himself. Clay is a young man nervous about impending fatherhood and in attempting to create a perfectly safe environment. He is incapable of making rational judgments. As a result he makes a series of decisions that are ultimately fatal and as he descends into madness it is obvious that he is not alone in his weakness. Each character in the story is completely out of touch with reality and unable to determine their motives are control their emotions.
Craig Pruitt is outstanding as Clay, the young father to be trying to do the right thing. As he has never really discerned the difference between right and wrong he is influenced negatively by others. His wife, Terri, brilliantly played by Jeni White goads him into action, yet withholds important information. Another influence that is deadly is that of his friend and supervisor, Eugene played by Jason McKelvey. The obviously negative influence of Clay’s wastrel brother, Ray is handled perfectly by Mike Waugh. Ray is a loser musician who mooches off his relatives, cannot hold a job, indulges in mind altering substances and cares nothing for anyone else. Yet Waugh shows perfectly that his character has some idea of what he actually is and is therefore the most redeeming person in the story. As Clay disintegrates in personality his confrontation with the dog owner who refuses to use a pooper scooper in Clay’s yard, one sees that his unnecessary rudeness is a catalyst for Clay’s loss of control. Christopher Robinson captures this rudeness with ruthless accuracy. Rounding out the excellent cast is Mason Pain whose performance as Adam expresses his momentary confusion and shock that so quickly becomes acceptance.
This is not a show for the faint of heart, but it is a show for the faint of integrity. Pelfrey comments on the deplorable state of our society in a way that makes as think, using humor that allows us to relate to the characters actions. He is trying to scare us. Under the direction of Lance Garrett, he succeeds. The play is staged well with a minimalist set and an excellent use of lighting by Scott Hynes.
“An Impending Rupture of the Belly” can be seen at Ghostlight Theatre Club located at 3110 N. Walker in Oklahoma City. Show times are 8pm every weekend through May 19, 2012. For ticket information contact www.ghostlightokc.com or call 405-286-9412.
Cheaper by the Dozen Good Family Entertainment
“Cheaper by the Dozen” is the delightful tale of an American family encapsulating the flavor of the early twentieth century exactly. Written by two of their twelve children, Frank Bunker Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey, “Cheaper by the Dozen” chronicles the family life of the Gilbreth as they lovingly embrace their parent’s theories of motion economy. Frank Bunker Gilbreth and his wife, Lillian Moller Gilbreth believe that reducing and eliminating unnecessary movement saves time and effort, and they put their ideas in practice with their children.
As the story takes place the eldest child, Anne is growing up and discovering her feminine allure. As most fathers, Mr. Gilbreth does not immediately recognize her need to ‘waste’ time with silly boys. And, like most fathers, he ultimately recognizes the need for silk stockings and dances as daddy’s little girl grows up.
The play is a very accurate slice of Americana and while this production is quite accurate at the core there is one minor difficulty. Daughter Anne is overall nicely portrayed by Jessa Schinske, however her vocal tone is exceedingly whiney. While many young women go through a somewhat whiney stage, young ladies of this era would invariably hear: ‘Do not speak to me in that tone of voice, young lady!’ Because Mr. and Mrs. Gilbreth never chastise Anne for this tendency it apparently not an issue and Director Linda McDonald would have done well to steer Schinske away from this interpretation.
Overall, McDonald’s direction of a young group of actors is good. Ernestine is delightful and quite comfortably portrayed by Rachel Conn. Ben White is a very endearing Frank Jr. Gigi Grotta as Martha and Alex Fulmer as Bill contribute mightily to the production. Joshua Ferguson as Dan and Nathan Ferguson as Jackie as well as Hannah Hunt as Lillian and Gavin Keen as Fred give very nice performances from the younger set. McDonald’s staging on the lovely set enables these actors the freedom of movement and action their exuberance requires. Rounding out the cast of young people, Wesley Sweigart as Joe Scales and Courtlin Kilhoffer as Larry, Anne’s two gentlemen callers are good renditions of the amusing young men of the day.
The adult cast includes John Q Wilson as Dr. Burton and Carol McDonald as Mrs. Fitzgerald who add a very nice flavor to the production. Chris Harris as the indomitable Miss Brill captures the regimental personality perfectly.
The parents, Mr. and Mrs. Gilbreth are portrayed nicely by Rob May and Kris Grimes. Grimes bring Mrs. Gilbreths quiet self-confidence to the fore and May has developed the character of Mr. Gilbreth with outstanding genuine truth. His great love and respect for his family and the human race is evident and May shows the audience the conviction behind the Gilbreth theories in his performance.
With the exception of the one jarring note, McDonald has done a superb job with this cast and production for Poteet Theatre audiences. “Cheaper by the Dozen” is certainly an important picture of American culture during this time period and lays the foundation for much of our modern cultural attitudes.
The opportunity to discover “Cheaper by the Dozen” at the Poteet Theatre is available through May 6, 2012 with performances at 8pm Thursday through Saturday and 3pm on Sundays. The Poteet Theatre is at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, located at 222 N.W. 15th Street in Oklahoma City. For ticket information contact 405-609-1023 or visit poteettheatre.com.
Around the World is Out of This World!
Mark Brown’s adaptation of the beloved Jules Verne story “Around the World in 80 Days” is being presented at Jewel Box Theatre through May 6, 2010. Directed by Robert Woods, this production is lighthearted fun for the audience and an actor’s showcase for the cast.
“Around the World in 80 Days” requires a highly professional attitude from the cast members, and Woods has directed a production that delivers. The roles are complicated, confusing and crackpot, yet the entire cast performs smoothly encouraging complete immersion from the audience.
The story unfolds as Phileas Fogg a wealthy and somewhat stuffy Englishman bets his cronies that he can circumnavigate the globe in 80 days. He sets off with his secretary on an adventurous journey around the earth.
The role of Phileas Fogg is smartly played by Kurt Leftwich, his dry and humorless façade captured perfectly. His secretary, Passepartout is wonderfully portrayed by Philip Wiles. Jessica Mahon plays Aouda, the sweet young thing they rescue on their journey. Scott Doyle plays Detective Fix who follows the group believing Fogg to be an escaping bank robber. Wiles also plays the role of John Sullivan and Mahon is also cast as James Foster, a priest and a newspaperman. Doyle is cast in 8 other roles besides Detective Fix and he handles each role beautifully. Rich Bailey has 17 roles and each individual character is fleshed out perfectly with hilarious results. Bailey’s performance is exceptional. The position of the Foley Artist is done with exactly the right amount of tongue in cheek humor by Roger Oxford
The play is continually amusing as the characters must finagle themselves out of a series of scrapes in order to meet their deadline. The audience is completely drawn into the story, so it is only upon later reflection that one sees the difficulty in performing all of these roles. The entire cast maintains a professional standard that enchants the audience and Woods good direction begins with great casting.
Woods has also taken advantage of a great crew for “Around the World in 80 Days” with Mimi Lynch putting together excellent costumes and Turner Beal keeping a technically difficult show running with the precision of a Phileas Fogg. Technical Director for the Jewel Box, David Hester, and Richard Howells, Set Construction with Lighting Designer James Gordon rounds out the technical aspects nicely.
“Around the World in 80 Days” is an excellent show for families or couples. Now is the time for consideration for Gem Award nomination and this show should garner several nominations. Rich Bailey in particular is quite deserving of such a nomination. “Around the World in 80 Days” has capped the 54th Season for the Jewel Box Theatre, and we are now looking forward to the 55th Season beginning with “Cats” by Andrew Lloyd Webber.
“Around the World in 80 Days” plays through May 6, 2012 with performance times at 8:00pm for weekend performances. Sunday matinees are at 2:30. The Jewel Box Theatre is located in the annex of their sponsor: First Christian Church at 3700 N. Walker in Oklahoma City. For reservations visit jewelboxtheatre.org or call 405-521-1786. The box office is open afternoons Tuesday through Friday so call soon as “Around the World in 80 Days is likely to be a sell-out show!
“Legally Blonde” Great Laughs–Legally!
Timothy Stewart is rapidly shaping up to be one of the finest directors in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. His direction of “Legally Blonde” at the Pollard is an excellent example of the ideal musical. Tight and concise direction gives performers the structure needed to loosen up their bodies, their voices and their expression. “Legally Blonde” is the adaptation of the novel by Amanda Brown and the subsequent movie of the same name. The book is by Heather Hach with Music and Lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe and Neil Benjamin.
“Legally Blonde” tells the story of a canny young woman who loses her heart to a law student. Elle Woods decides to follow her boyfriend to Harvard in order to keep him on the leash. It seems surprising that she meets the academic requirements, as the natural blonde flighty type does not have the reputation of intelligence needed to make the grade. Her story proves the stereotype to be wrong. Flighty beautiful blondes can think as good as they look. In the story, Elle discovers in herself the intellectual capacity to succeed as a superb lawyer without shedding her personality to do so. The modern woman can wear pink in the board room!
Stewart handles the large cast beautifully, and the stars of the show shine. Danielle Fleshers Stephens is that gorgeous blonde and she captures the audience and they become entwined in the story. She is supported by other equally beautiful and smart creatures such as Cory King as Paulette, Susan Riley as Brooke Windham and Gwendolyn Evans as Vivienne Kensington.
Although this is most definitely a show-case for women, the gentlemen in the show are equally outstanding in performance. Jake DeTommaso, James A. Hughes and James Tyler Kirk are all exceptional talents with delightful characterizations.
Other notable performances among the excellent ensemble members come from Joshua Thomas McGowan, Michael Edsel, Jeff Burleson, Tiffany Tuggle, Trinity Goodwin and Claudia Fain. These folks make those special moments work.
Stewart’s excellent direction is complemented by W. Jerome Stevenson, Musical Director and an orchestra lead by Todd Malicoate, Band Leader. James A. Hughes, Set Designer provides a perfect back drop for Stewart’s staging, and Lighting Designer Jake DeTommaso enhances the actors nicely. The original costume designs by Gregg Barnes work well for actors without ever upstaging the bodies within. Choreographer Jennifer Rosson devised some very nice routines that make each performer shine.
“Legally Blonde” is one of those surface stories that serve primarily to entertain. Yet, when done superbly, such a musical can enlighten an audience as much as delighting an audience.
Guthrie is just a short drive from Oklahoma City and gas mileage is much better on the highway. One can budget less time to get to the Pollard Theatre than many of the other entertainment locales Oklahoma City has to offer. This spring it’s a lovely drive for a lovely show.
“Legally Blonde” is showing through May 5th, 2012 at the Pollard Theatre at 120 W. Harrison in Guthrie. Curtain is 8:00pm and tickets are available at www.thepollard.org or call 405-282-2800. This show is definitely one not to be missed.
“These Shining Lives”: Relevant and Worthy
“These Shining Lives” by Melanie Marnach is the poignant story of Catherine Donohoe, a young mother of two who worked for The Radium Dial Company in the 1920’s and 1930’s. Unaware that they were dealing with a toxic substance, Mrs. Donohoe and her colleagues were continually exposed to radium for several years. The young women, glowing with health when hired, soon begin to glow in earnest as they sicken and die. They must fight their employer for damages and the battle sets the stage for the employee safety regulations we take for granted today. While the script is slightly fictionalized the struggle is historically accurate.
Under the thoughtful direction of Terry Veal, Catherine Donohoe is sensitively played by Brytanie Holbrook. Crystal Ecker is Charlotte, Allyson Rose is Pearl and Christine Jolly is Frances. These four actresses draw the audience into their lives with skill and then proceed to tear our hearts out as we watch their decline. Justin Haley portrays Tom Donohoe, Catherine’s husband, and also Dr. Dalitsch. Kaleb Bruza is Mr. Reed, the supervisor, as well as the company Doctor, and also Catherine’s young son. Rose is not only Pearl, she is Catherine’s daughter. Veal follows the author’s suggestion in double casting these roles and the actor’s do an excellent job in their multiple characters. Nevertheless, it is a little jarring to the audience, and lessens the impact of the primary roles they play for many.
The show is haunting, partly because it is such a recent part of our history. Today we are complacent, expecting that our rights to work in a healthy work environment are protected by the laws that exist due to their suffering. Yet man’s inhumanity to man is eternal and “These Shining Lives” shakes our foundations down to our very bones. These six actors bring us to that point and Veal’s handling of the subject is well thought out and relevant.
The set is quite workable, defining the Donohoe home and The Radium Dial Company clearly. The costumes are very good. The make-up is excellent. Lighting and sound are balanced nicely. While the technical expertise enhances the mood and circumstance for these actors, the burden of telling the story lies squarely on the shoulders of these four actresses. They tell the story with respect and integrity allowing us to see their humanity, shocking us with their tragic fight for life and dignity.
“These Shining Lives” plays through April 28, 2012 at Carpenter Square Theatre, located at 800 West Main in downtown Oklahoma City. For ticket information call 405-232-6500.
Spring Awakening: No Disappointment in Talent and Raciness
Spring Awakening is just that. An awakening, and a shocking one, at that. For a musical based on a play written around 1890, the subject matter is frighteningly current. Lyric Theatre could not have chosen a better time to present the Oklahoma premiere of the racy Spring Awakening.
The original play, by Frank Wedekind, was considered controversial for it’s day, and continues to shock audiences in 2012. The modern rock musical keeps the time period of Wedekind’s work, but adds an interesting twist with an excellent and touching rock music score. The characters wear period appropriate costumes, yet when the music starts, the simple set is transformed into a modern day rock concert as the characters sing into handheld microphones they keep hidden in costumes and in the set. Art Whaley’s lighting design truly comes alive with color when the music starts.
With brilliant direction by Michael Baron and assistant direction by Matthew Alvin Brown, Spring Awakening is a coming of age tale about the challenges facing teenagers in 1892. The musical, with book and lyrics by Steven Sater and music by Duncan Sheik, stays true to its roots by sticking with controversial subjects such as child abuse, sex-ed, homosexuality and more. Even with the show’s heavy subject matter, the actors take the audience on an amazing journey full of laughter and tears from scene to scene. Although upsetting at times, the show never leaves the audience there for long with the perfect mixture of comedy and drama.
The well written script is masterfully performed by all the actors on stage. Leah Coleman shines as Wendla, the young heroine. Coleman successfully captures the innocence and curiosity of her character. The fine Kelly Methven plays opposite to Coleman as the complicated and deep Melchior, who many characters seem to lean on for support throughout the play including his friend Moritz, played by Wilson Kerr. Kerr wonderfully portrays the angst and sadness of his character, who is increasingly confused about puberty. All of the actors in Lyric’s production of Spring Awakening had a truly powerful and challenging script to work with, but they brought the words of Sater to life. With no weak links, this production is a must-see, simply for the talent.
Lyric Theatre has given this production an R rating for strong language and sexually explicit scenes. However, despite the shocking nature of the subject matter, Spring Awakening comes with a strong message that should not be overlooked. Be prepared to laugh, cry and possibly relive your own memories of being a teenager. Painful at times and always brilliant, Lyric’s performance of Spring Awakening is not one to be missed. You can catch the performances at Lyric’s Plaza Theatre through April 14th. Lyric’s Plaza Theatre is located at 1727 NW 16th St. in Oklahoma City, and the box office can be reached at 405-524-9310.
—————————————————Victoria Stahl
Welcome, Victoria Stahl!
Victoria Stahl has joined the staff of Oklahoma Arts: Scene & Hurd. Stahl has had an exceptional career as an actress in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. Most recently she has been seen in “Lives of the Saints” at Ghostlight Theatre Club where she has been a board member. She also appeared in “Reasons to be Pretty” and “The Shape of Things” In addition to her passion for the theatre, Stahl’s degree in journalism from the University of Oklahoma evidences her equal passion for writing. We are glad she has chosen to combine those passions and share her talent with us. Her first review is for Lyric Theatre’s “Spring Awakening” posted above.
