Coming up fast…in fact, catch it tonight or tomorrow
Our friend Leanda’s grandson is in the Drilling Company production mentioned above. Free. In Bryant Park. Tonight the 15th of June and then tomorrow, Thursday June 16th.
The Gingold Theatrical Group keeps us on our toes with productions by the great contrarian George Bernard Shaw. This performance of Mrs. Warren’s Profession from 2021 livestreams between June 21st and 27th.
Here’s their invitation for a virtual viewing of the great satirical Mrs. Warren’s Profession:
“Join us as we proudly share the live filmed version of our production with you… no matter where you are, or what your schedule, or what your time zone! All tickets are only $25 with the $1.95 service charge. You’ll be required to create a FREE membership for Broadway On Demand and list your choice of payment options. Once you click the VIEW option, you’ll have 48 hours in which to view the film between June 21st at 12:01am ET until June 27th at midnight ET.
It’s really that simple!
Due to union restrictions, the length of the viewing opportunity and even the number of tickets sold are limited!
Those of us, who [guilty as charged] did not know about a Brazilian theater troupe in our midst have been missing a good time. Go to the video link below.
For us, there’s a party June 12th to rectify the oversight. Brazilian theater company Group Dot BR and House of Yes are pleased to announce Opa! São João, a taste of the Brazilian Festas Juninas also known as Festas de São João (June Parties/Saint John Parties).
The eight-hour long party will feature live music with Forró in the Dark and Mambembé, and DJs Greg Caz, Victoria Mussi, Gaspar Muniz, and Tietta will be spinning the best Brazilian beats.
Terry Parker (Derek Smith) grapples with his loss; no longer part of the Jeff and Terry couple, he has been reduced simply to Mr. Parker by the doorman of his upscale building. Stuck and unable to move ahead, he clings to the studio emptied by the loss of his husband until a chance encounter with Justin, a bartender/Uber driver (Davi Santos) leads to a change of outlook. The situation is both hindered and helped by Cassandra, the artist’s sister (Mia Matthews) who has managed her brother’s work and, to some extent, his and Terry’s lives. Taut, controlling Cassandra recognizes that the Justin-Terry relationship won’t benefit either man and gives it a painful, if necessary push.
Davi Santos and Derek Smith. Photo credit: John Quilty.
What at first seems like a collection of clichés switches course to provide insight into what resilience is about. The characters, a mid-life gay man who finds himself adrift after the death of his artist husband; a sexy young gender non-conforming man picked up in a bar and the stylish, powerful sister of the artist play effectively off one another.
Derek Smith and Mia Matthews. Photo credit: John Quilty.
All three actors inhabit their roles with naturalness of voice, gesture and meaning. Writer Michael McKeever could have developed just as successful a script had he eliminated a little of Justin’s backstory but overall the situation works. The world has moved on and so must these characters with a nod to cell phones, today’s gender pronouns and contemporary art.
Costumes by Myra Oney are particularly effective on Cassandra whose role provides the greatest dressing opportunity. Max Silverman’s music separates elements well without overtaking them; Joe Brancato’s direction keeps sufficient tension in the air to allow the actors the scope they need to work.
Penguin Rep Theater has grown over forty years from a summer theatre to become one of the Hudson Valley’s most influential nonprofit cultural institutions, reaching tens of thousands of theatergoers each year at its home in upstate New York; in New York City and beyond –with its work moving to Off Broadway and to stages across the country and around the world. Penguin has presented works by playwrights including Ronald Harwood, Arthur Laurents, Lanie Robertson and Elizabeth Swados. Andrew M. Horn, producer and executive director, has overseen nearly two hundred productions for the group.
Mr. Parker isn’t grand drama but it deals head on with major life situations including sexuality, power and loss. The story is almost entirely believable and presented by skilled actors who fully inhabit their roles. Moving on is tough but is a necessary part of life.
Our Theater Blog: TandBOnTheAisle 