Next to Normal

Diana's electro-shock treatments

The Arden Theatre, located at 40 N. 2^nd Street, begins its 25^th theatre season with the 2010 Pulitzer Prize winning musical Next to Normal.   With producing Artistic Director Terrence J. Nolen at the helm, the musical is scheduled to run on the F. Otto Haas stage through November 4.  Next to Normal is not easy to watch but neither is it easy to  let your eye roam off the stage.  The dialogue is gripping; the music is mesmerizing and the acting of the ensemble cast is riveting.  Kristine Fraelich, who portrays Diana, has a singing voice that is exquisitely pure, but when she is having an episode of mental illness, her voice takes on a wildly altered timbre. Rachel Camp, who portrays Diana’s long neglected teenage-aged daughter Natalie, also shows a wide breath of acting ability.  Her voice is strong and her portrayal of her plight brings the audience to tears.  Robert Hager demonstrates that he knows how to belt out a song as he appears and reappears onstage for solos and duets. Michael Doherty gives a convincing performance as Henry, a stable constant in Natalie’s life.  James Barry and Brian Hissong round out this excellent ensemble cast. Jorge Cousineau does an extraordinary job as scenic and video designer along with lighting designer Thom Weaver.  The special effects greatly enhance the staging of the production.  There is nothing normal about this play but next to normal is more than you could ask for.  For more information or tickets call 215-922-1122 or visit online at www.ardentheatre.org

Oleanna

Baker struggling with Barlow

Bristol Riverside Theatre, located at 120 Radcliffe Street, Bristol Pa. is beginning its 2012-13 season with a production of Oleanna by Pulitzer Prize winner David Mamet. This spellbinding drama is scheduled to run through October 14.  Blair Baker reprises the role that she performed on Broadway, that of Carol, a struggling college student who meets with her professor to seek his help. David Barlow presents us with John, a professor who professes to love teaching and is willing to forestall urgent personal matters to aide a student in distress. This piece is fraught with “what if “ and “ if only”.  What if the professor hadn’t tried to console Carol when she thought she was a dismal failure?   What if he hadn’t tried to stop her from leaving his office so that he could speak to her reasonably?  And the phone….. If only the phone didn’t ring at every crucial moment in the dialogue between the professor and his student….  If only John didn’t answer the phone….There are countless instances of expertise in this production. Barlow’s one way phone conversations, displaying constantly interrupted speech patterns, are nothing short of brilliant.  Baker’s transformation from a meek, helpless, college student to a shrew representing “her group” is a revolutionary shift of power.  The combined efforts of Set Designer Julia C Lee and Lighting Designer Charles S. Reece perfectly set the stage for this powerful work.  If you are familiar with David Mamet’s work, you will need no convincing to come and see this production.  If you are not, then make sure you see Oleanna and find out for yourself why Mamet is a Pulitzer Prize winning playwright.  For more information or tickets, call 215-785-0100  or visit online at brtstage.org.

Baker and Barlow in office

Bristol Riverside Theatre, located at 120 Radcliffe Street, Bristol Pa. is beginning its 2012-13 season with a production of Oleanna by Pulitzer Prize winner David Mamet. This spellbinding drama is scheduled to run through October 14.  Blair Baker reprises the role that she performed on Broadway, that of Carol, a struggling college student who meets with her professor to seek his help. David Barlow presents us with John, a professor who professes to love teaching and is willing to forestall urgent personal matters to aide a student in distress. This piece is fraught with “what if “ and “ if only”.  What if the professor hadn’t tried to console Carol when she thought she was a dismal failure?   What if he hadn’t tried to stop her from leaving his office so that he could speak to her reasonably?  And the phone….. If only the phone didn’t ring at every crucial moment in the dialogue between the professor and his student….  If only John didn’t answer the phone….There are countless instances of expertise in this production. Barlow’s one way phone conversations, displaying constantly interrupted speech patterns, are nothing short of brilliant.  Baker’s transformation from a meek, helpless, college student to a shrew representing “her group” is revolutionary.  The combined efforts of Set Designer Julia C Lee and Lighting Designer Charles S. Reece perfectly set the stage for this powerful work.  If you are familiar with David Mamet’s work, you will need no convincing to come and see this production.  If you are not, then make sure you see Oleanna and see for yourself why Mamet is a Pulitzer Prize winning playwright. For more information or tickets, call 215-785-0100  or visit online at brtstage.org

Oleanna

Blair Baker and David Barlow

 New Jerusalem, The Interrogation of Baruch de Spinoza at Talmud  Torah Congregation: Amsterdam, July 27, 1657

Spinoza and Rabbi

The Lantern Theater Company, located at 10th and Ludlow Streets in St. Stephens Church is bringing back New Jerusalem.... for a return engagement through September 23. A knock-your-socks-off philosophical debate between two of the greatest minds of their times, this presentation, directed by Charles McMahon, far surpasses the excellence of the drama which was enacted by the same cast last year.  Perhaps it is because the actors are more seasoned or more comfortable in their roles. Sam Henderson is very convincing as a young Spinoza who must plead for his freedom of thought while denying that he is a heretic. David Bardeen gives a strong performance as Rabbi Saul Levi Mortera who struggles with the burden of excommunicating his protoge. Seth Reichgott's Abraham van Valkenburgh is disturbingly forceful. The weighty subject matter is evenly tempered with just the right touch of wit. It is a shame there will be no room in Lantern’s schedule to extend the run again this year. There is a special Spinoza Fest this weekend. The Spinoza Fest Pass is available for $85 ($70 for seniors, students and groups of 10 or more) The Pass grants access to all events plus one ticket to any performance of New Jerusalem.     Friday September 7  6:30 PM- Director Charles McMahon will lecture and conduct Q & A on  Spinoza's  impact on modern philosophy and how these ideas shaped Lantern's production.10:30 PM Post-show Discussion- Artists in Conversation with the New Jerusalem cast.  There are many more events scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.  For tickets or more information, visit online at www.lanterntheater.org or call 215-829-0395.

Much Ado About Nothing

Mauckingbird Theatre Company is committed to producing professional gay-themed theatre at their off Broad Street location of First Baptist Church, 1636 Sansom Street.  Their production of Much Ado About Nothing brings together an ensemble cast of 11 young men and two women to cast a different light on Shakespeare’s classic.  And the light is brilliant and refreshing and at the same time sweet and sensitive. I have twice seen the original version of Shakespeare’s young love, trickery, and tomfoolery but nowhere have I seen it better performed. Cameron Slusser and Griffin Back, as the young men Hero and Claudio, give excellent performances of young lovers, a scorned lover, and a falsely accused.  Matt Tallman and Sean Thompson as Benedick and Beatrice, two men who have foresworn affairs of the heart, give strong performances as men who have been tricked into falling in love with each other.  Barrymore award winning actress Cheryl Williams demonstrates her award winning capabilities in her enactment of Leonato.  Kudos must be given to Marie Anne Chiment, Costume Designer, for the innovative attire. Mauckingbird’s Much Ado About Nothing runs through August 26. This is a must see production for Shakespeare lovers and non-lovers alike.  For more information or tickets call 215-923-8909 or visit online at www.mauckingbird.org