Frankenstein Mesmerizes at the Hylton Performing Arts Center

 October 17, 2010 - By Sheila R. Lamb

Can something be horrific and phenomenal at the same time?  The Prince William Little Theatre’s production of Victor Gialanella’s Frankenstein is just that: a chilling presentation, just in time for Halloween, which captures the audience with its rendition of Mary Shelley’s macabre story. Directed by Don Peterson and produced by Dave Warner, PWLT riveted the audience in the Gregory Family Theater at the Hylton Performing Arts Center.

Jay Tilley stars as Victor Frankenstein, the scientist who believes he can create a man using a corpse and volts of electricity.  Tilley opens the performance with a soliloquy, excerpts from Frankenstein’s journal, from the upper balcony of the theatre. This solemn piece sets the tone for the terrible events that are to come.  Tilley depicts Frankenstein’s obsession impeccably as he hides his work from his family and his trusting fiancée Elizabeth, expertly played by Christine Lange. Mike Rudden plays Henry Clerval, Frankenstein’s friend from university, who easily melds into the family dynamic. He earns praise for his natural portrayal of Clerval.

Michael Feidt is stunning in his role of the Creature. He resembles a wild animal as he hides in fright from Frankenstein and Clerval, then strikes out when they come too close.  Feidt adeptly shows the Creature’s humanity and eagerness to learn in his scenes with DeLacey (Dell Pendergrast). The audience feels compassion as the Creature struggles with his new life, and not understanding his own strength.

Perhaps one of the most mesmerizing scenes is between the Creature and young William (Nathan Yannarell).  Tension fills the stage as the Creature’s actions shift between disturbing and tender, as he helps the boy search for his missing dog. William touches the Creature’s face and states “Your face, it’s ugly,” and shows his open trust by saying “I like you.”  Feidt’s split between innocence and realization is palpable as the Creature attempts to comprehend the word “dead.”  His performance is heartrending. Feidt entices the audience to sympathize his obvious torment while knowing the Creature’s actions are reprehensible.

Expertly designed set, lighting, sound and other special effects complete the spellbinding performance in the Gregory Family Theater. Frankenstein’s laboratory is intricately designed and includes detailed lighting and sound, particularly for scenes with electrical voltage. Set changes are smooth while Mr. Peterson uses the balconies to the plays advantage, directing actors on both levels of the stage. Julie Cameron, makeup design, deserves recognition for her work on the Creature. His scarred head, chest and blackened eyes amplified his believable, terrifying portrayal.

Frankenstein is playing at the Gregory Family Theatre at the Hylton Performing Arts Center at the GMU campus in Manassas on October 15, 16, 22 and 23 at 8 PM (Fridays and Saturdays) and Saturdays and Sundays October 16, 17, 23, 24 at 2 PM. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for students, seniors and groups of 10 or more. Ticket information can be found at http://www.pwlt.org and http://www.hyltoncenter.org/calendar/tickets/58/.

About PWLT

Providing quality local community theatre since 1984, the all-volunteer Prince William Little Theatre is partly funded by grants from the Prince William County Parks Authority, the City of Manassas, and private contributions. PWLT has won fourteen NVTA One Act Festival Awards and four Virginia Theatre Association awards since 1991, and two Washington Area Theatre Community Honors (WATCH) awards. Contact: Dave Warner, President, PWLT 703-967-0564 or davewarner@gmail.com for more information.

For more info on NoVA Showbiz, or if you'd like us to cover your project - please be sure to email novashowbiz@gmail.com.

Theater Works Va's The Wizard of Oz: A Job Well Done

October 16, 2010 - by Sheila R. Lamb

The Theater Works VA performance of The Wizard of Oz debuted Friday night to an enthusiastic audience at the Cramer Center in Manassas. Based on the classic movie, Kye-Won Kopo directs this multi-aged cast for a family-friendly show, filled with spectacular set designs, costumes, and rousing musical acts.

Haley Jessup plays the quintessential Dorothy and captures the character flawlessly. She makes her entrance down the center aisle of the theater, complete with checkered dress and basket. This is an effective way to add audience interaction in the first scene, as Dorothy searches for her ever-escaping dog, Toto.
(Toto, by the way, is played by a toy stuffed animal terrier. His lively entrances onstage, with the help of cast and crew, add levity and humor to the show. The audience loves Toto!)

Darren Brydie, Austin Cooke, and Journey Pforte portray the farmhands who will eventually become the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion, respectively. There is excellent working chemistry between the three and they are able to play off of each other successfully.  Cooke delivers his lines succinctly and garners audience sympathy at the end when his “heart is breaking,” while Pforte fits perfectly into his role as the dramatic lion. Brydie earns kudos due to his physical acting in his many swoops, tumbles, and drops as the Scarecrow tries to walk.

Of course, Oz would not be complete without the Wicked Witch of the West. Katy Chmura portrays Mrs. Gultch with a touch of comedy (referring to her broken basket clasp bought on Ebay) and then turns into the scary witch, who cackles over her evil plots in her castle. The witch’s castle is one of the most elaborate set designs on the stage. Dry ice adds special effects to her brewing cauldron, and mysterious skulls and other props fill out the wicked witch’s lair. The sets are changed between each scene.

Though the matinee performances are a children’s only cast, youngsters also play crucial roles in the evening adult cast productions. The Munchkins and Jitterbugs add animated song and dance acts, lighting up the stage with their colorful costumes. The scenes with Chmura and children’s cast of flying monkeys, Poppies and Winkies epitomize the mentorship philosophy behind Theater Works VA in this evening adult cast production.

Kopko gives the audience a warm welcome and explains the unique aspects of this production. In addition to being an artistic endeavor, it is also educational. According to Kopko, adults mentor the children in acting techniques, such as characters and timing. Previously, she has only worked with children’s groups and this is her first adult production – a job well done.

The Wizard of Oz is playing for two weekends at The Cramer Center in Old Town Manassas.

The Cramer Center

9008 Center Street,

Manassas, VA.

Tickets are available at The Cramer Center Box Office, or in advance at www.boxofficetickets.com.

Prices:

$10 Adults, $7 Students - in advance

$12 Adults, $8 Students - at the door

Evening performances (Adult cast) are Fridays and Saturdays at 7PM

Matinée performances (Youth cast) are Saturday and Sunday afternoons at 3PM.

To learn more about TheaterWorks VA check out their website: http://www.theaterworksva.com.

For more info on NoVA Showbiz, or if you'd like us to review your show - please be sure to email novashowbiz@gmail.com.

           

A New Twist Behind The Curtain: TheaterWorks VA Presents The Wizard of Oz

October 11, 2010 ~by Darrell Poe

TheaterWorksVA is bringing an old family favorite to The Cramer Center this week. Opening Friday evening at 7PM - The Wizard of Oz is a story we all know, but this little company has put an interesting new spin on things.

It's not often that a theater company comes along and takes a risk with a new idea. For what it's worth, I admire TheaterWorks VA for taking on that risk, and I hope they're rewarded with a successful run - we'll be in attendance on Friday.

So here's the twist.

Each role in the show has been double cast - one adult actor and one youth actor.

Yes - you read that correctly.

The adult actors are tasked not only with learning and perfecting their own respective roles, but also with mentoring the youth actors on theirs. The adults will perform the evening shows, and the children will perform the matinées.

The potential for learning and improvement for young actors is immense - there is clearly much to be gained by an arrangement like this. Kudos to Denise and the other hard working folks at TheaterWorks VA for making this project happen.

That said - a few questions come to mind.

This new take on theater education is a wonderful idea, but we have yet to see if it will pay off for audiences. Will mentoring the younger actors take away from the adult's performances? The director plays a key role in any good theater production - acting as the single guiding voice throughout the rehearsal process. Will that voice be diluted with actors directing other actors?

As a theater nerd, and patron - things like this occur to me before I see a show. But, before seeing any show, ALL theater patrons have to ask themselves - do I want to see this show?

With this new twist, comes more questions: If I do want to see this show, which show do I see? The adults or the children? Shouldn't I see Both to really get the full experience? Do I really want to see this show twice? Does it become simpler to just pick another show in the area to go see? There's certainly no shortage of options.

Big risk. Lots of questions.

You'll have to answer all of them for yourself, but from a budgetary standpoint TWV's The Wizard of Oz is actually pretty low-risk - ticket prices are very reasonable. There's no word on any discount rate to see both the Adult and Youth shows, but at $10 for general admission in advance - buying a ticket to both is not out of the question.

While a significant risk is being taken here - that's for certain- the pay-off could be huge. If this show is successful, TheaterWorks VA will have brought a truly meaningful innovation to children's theater, potentially changing the way theater education is approached.

Either way - they are certainly a company to watch, and and should be commended for pushing the boundaries and taking big chances. My hat's off to them.

The Wizard of Oz is playing for two weekends at The Cramer Center in Old Town Manassas.

The Cramer Center

9008 Center Street,

Manassas, VA.

Tickets are available at The Cramer Center Box Office, or in advance at www.boxofficetickets.com.

Prices:

$10 Adults, $7 Students - in advance

$12 Adults, $8 Students - at the door

Evening performances (Adult cast) are Fridays and Saturdays at 7PM

Matinée performances (Youth cast) are Saturday and Sunday afternoons at 3PM.

See our event calendar here for details.

To learn more about TheaterWorks VA check out their website: http://www.theaterworksva.com.

For more info on NoVA Showbiz, or if you'd like us to cover your project - please be sure to email novashowbiz@gmail.com.

The Miracle Worker: A Touching Performance

October 9, 2010 - by Sheila R. Lamb

The Miracle Worker, performed by Castaways Repertory Theatre, highlights Annie Sullivan’s early experiences with the recalcitrant Helen Keller. Katherine Biscula directs this moving adaptation of William Gibson’s play. As Helen struggles to emerge from her cocoon of isolation, Annie endeavors to break free from her haunting past.

Not enough can be said about Rebecca Hausman’s poignant portrayal of Helen. From the beginning Hausman aptly depicts Helen’s loneliness as a blind and deaf child through tactile expression and movement. Hausman uses the tactile to it's fullest – she grabs, clutches, and clings to her family, almost to the point of injury. She is constantly reaching out with her hands, symbolizing to the audience not only Helen’s need to learn her way around the house but also her efforts to reach out to those around her. The audience is immediately drawn into Helen’s world, and understands she is trying to use touch to communicate.

Alexia Poe exemplifies Sullivan, a new teacher determined to overcome her trepidation with sharp edged, smartly delivered retorts, particularly in her interactions with the formidable Captain Keller (Scott Olson). These scenes bring more than several laughs from the audience. Her more somber moments are revealed through flashbacks from her childhood. Heather Biscula and Collin Chandler play a young Annie and her brother. A sepulchral doctor appears to tell the audience of the Sullivan’s sad fate in ominously delivered lines.

Together, Poe and Hausman use the physical to expertly create tension-filled scenes, interspersed with humor. In one of her first tasks, Sullivan (think Super Nanny) strives to teach Helen proper manners at the dinner table. Helen throws her spoon from the table numerous times, each toss accompanied by well-delivered facial expressions that capture Helen’s belief that she has bested Sullivan, in a “gotcha” moment. As they fight – Sullivan’s attempt to wrestle Helen into compliance - Poe and Hausman again use the physical to its fullest advantage onstage. Helen’s parents, along with her sarcastic half-brother, Jimmy (Stephen Keane), have the complex task of loving Helen and being frustrated by her. Colleen Close, as Kate Keller, does a stunning job of illustrating the bond between mother and child – no matter how difficult the child. Jimmy’s wit adds levity to several scenes where the family is at a loss over how to quell Helen’s disobedience.

The minimalist scenery gives the actors full utilization of the stage. A simple bedroom and dining room make up most of the set, along with the significant water pump off to the side. There are a few moments when some of the actor’s backs are to the audience, particularly at the dining table. Biscula fixes this by making the most of the power struggle of using a napkin at dinner between Sullivan and Helen. The napkin takes center stage.

The actors improvise various scenes, such as in Sullivan’s flashbacks or in the garden house. Poe and Hausman need few props to interpret Sullivan’s valiant determination to teach Helen and open the world to her.

Performances of The Miracle Worker begin October 8, 2010 at 8pm, and continue Friday and Saturday evenings through October 23rd. One matinee will be performed on Saturday October16th at 1pm.

- General Admission: $14

- Seniors, students, children 12 & under, military, and PWC employees: $11

- Groups of 10 or more, and matinee admission: $10

The theater is located inside the Dr. A.J. Ferlazzo Building.

15941 Donald Curtis Drive

Woodbridge VA.

Special Performance Information:

- An interpreter for the deaf will be present at both performances on the 16th (1PM & 8PM).

- Teacher buy-1-get-1-free on October 15

- Military buy-1-get-1-free on October 23

Castaway Repertory Theatre is in partnership with The Lion's Club International. You can bring your used eyeglasses to donate at a performance and save a dollar off admission to the show.

For more info on NoVA Showbiz, or if you'd like us to review your show - please be sure to email novashowbiz@gmail.com.

The Creature Lives Again... 10/15/10

October 5, 2010 - PWLT Press Release

Prince William Little Theatre (PWLT) brings its 26th season to life with a classic tale of horror. 

Young Victor Frankenstein has everything going for him: a loving family, a genteel and adoring fiance, and a privileged life at the family estate in Europe. Then his ill-fated miscalculation of the power of science and arrogance lead to a creation so horrible and unimaginable that nothing and no one he loves will escape unscathed. Adapted for the stage by Victor Gialanella, this dark play steers clear of the modern stereotypes of one of literature's most infamous "monsters" and will leave you haunted and amazed.

The show is directed by Don Petersen, produced by Dave Warner and features local actors Jay Tilley, Michael Feidt, Jr., Christine Lange, Erin Gallalee, Sam Repshas, Mike Rudden, Susy Moorstein, Bob Rosenberg, Dell Pendergrast, Dan Bellotte, Rocky Jackson and Nathan Yannarell. This gothic tale will be performed in the Gregory Family Theatre at the Hylton Performing Arts Center at the GMU campus in Manassas on October 15, 16, 22 and 23 at 8 PM (Fridays and Saturdays) and Saturdays and Sundays October 16, 17, 23, 24 at 2 PM. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for students, seniors and groups of 10 or more. Ticket information can be found at http://www.pwlt.org and http://www.hyltoncenter.org/calendar/tickets/58/.

About PWLT
Providing quality local community theatre since 1984, the all-volunteer Prince William Little Theatre is partly funded by grants from the Prince William County Parks Authority, the City of Manassas, and private contributions. PWLT has won fourteen NVTA One Act Festival Awards and four Virginia Theatre Association awards since 1991, and two Washington Area Theatre Community Honors (WATCH) awards. Contact: Dave Warner, President, PWLT 703-967-0564 ordavewarner@gmail.com for more information.

Are you coming with, or staying behind?

October 1, 2010 - by Renee Cameron

That is the question Port City Playhouse asks as it begins its  33^rd season with the political drama, Farragut North,  written by Beau Willimon. The relatively new play makes its DC area debut with this production, but has already enjoyed success in New York. In addition, it will soon travel to Hollywood to become a motion picture, directed by George Clooney.

The story centers around Stephen (Adam Downs), a bright, young press secretary during a presidential primary. Stephen thinks he is a master of the spin game, only to realize how quickly the game can turn on you. Downs gives a very natural and earnest performance. He makes Stephen likable even as you watch him question his morals and loyalties.

Other notable performances are given by Cal Whitehurst who plays Tom Duffy, the crooked campaign manager for the competing primary candidate, and Shelagh Roberts who plays Ida, a New York Times reporter. Roberts certainly had that obnoxious New Yorker down to a T.

The cast is also joined by a series of guest appearances by local politicians playing the bartender. A different guest joins each performance including Tom Davis, Mike Gravel,  Frank Fannon, Lonnie Rich, Bill Euille, and Jim Moran.

The minimalistic set, designed by Robin Parker, was able to seamlessly transform from scene to scene and lent itself well to some interesting staging. Often a set piece from the previous scene was integrated into the next and served a completely different function than it had before. For instance a piece used as a bar then doubled as a headboard in a hotel room. Although creative, the set as a whole looked somewhat barren due to the use of only furniture and no background pieces.

The sound design by David Correia was also sometimes questionable. Sound cues underscored some scene changes and were not always effective in setting the mood of the next scene. CNN sound bites were appropriate, but hearing commercials for stores like Kohl’s included in those sound bites often drew you out of the performance. However, the choice of several patriotically themed songs helped bring you back.

Eddie Page, the show’s director has directed and assistant directed at other companies locally, but makes his Port City Playhouse debut with this production. Overall he put up a fine show and one that the political junkies of the DC Metro area are sure to enjoy.

Farragut North  runs for one more weekend at the Lee Center for the Performing Arts, 1108 Jefferson Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. For more information please http://www.telgo.com/pcp/home.html or call (703)838-2880. 

For more info on NoVA Showbiz, or if you'd like us to cover your project - please be sure to email novashowbiz@gmail.com.