Isn't It Romantic: Paddy Chayefsky's Look At Love

Is there anything sweeter than romance, or more prone to meddling?

Lillian (Melissa Miller) and her husband Jack (Todd Bartels) with Jerry (Jonahan Hadary) and his sister Evelyn (Denise Lute) first hear Jerry's news in "Middle of the Night" by Paddy Chayefsky, directed by Jonathan Silverstein at the Keen Theatre through March 29th. Photo by Carol Rosegg.

Family and friends impede on the happiness in the May-December romance at the heart of "Middle of the Night." Paddy Chayefsky's play at the Keen Company under Jonathan Silverstein's direction at Theatre Row through March 29th,  is in its first revival since a Broadway run (and national tour) in the mid 1950s.

 Jerry (Jonahan Hadary) and Betty (Nicole Lowrance) in "Middle of the Night" by Paddy Chayefsky, directed by Jonathan Silverstein at the Keen Theatre through March 29th. Photo by Carol Rosegg.

"Middle of the Night" has a fine pedigree, all penned by Chayefsky. It started out as a television for the inaugural show of the seventh season of he Philco Television Playhouse where it starred E.G. Marshall and Eva Marie Saint. It then relocated in 1956 to Broadway where it starred Edward G. Robinson and Gena Rowlands, and went on to star Kim Novak and Frederic March in the Columbia Pictures version in 1959.

In "Middle of the Night," an aging garment Manufacturer, Jerry Kingsley (Jonathan Hadary) is seduced by loneliness and the charms of the Girl from his plant, Betty Preisser (Nicolde Lowrance) into a romance he is not sure is wise. His family, with the exception of his son-in-law, Jack (Todd Bartels) -- his stern sister Eveylyn (Denise Lute) and his daughter Lillian (Mellisa Miller)-- try to dissuade him from continuing the affair.

On Betty's side the objections are even louder. She is only 24 to his 53, and her mother, Mrs. Mueller (Amelia Campbell) doesn't understand why Betty would want to divorce her husband, George (Todd Bartells again) in order to marry an old man. Betty's friend Marilyn (Melissa Miller in the role) is equally puzzled and disapproving.

Mrs. Mueller (Amelia Campbell) and Betty (Nicole Lowrance) in "Middle of the Night" directed by Jonathan Silverstein for the Keen through March 29th. Photo by Carol Rosegg. 

The allure of Paddy Chayefsky's slice-of-life drama is abundantly on display in this heart-warming Keen production. The cast are splendid, with Jonathan Hadary and Nicole Lowrance in especially fine form.

Betty (Nicole Lowrance) and Jerry (Jonathan Hadary) embrace in a scene from Chayefsky's "Middle of the Night" directed by Jonathan Silverstein for Keen Company at Theatre Row through March 29th. Photo by Carol Rosegg.

To learn more about "Middle of the Night," please visit the Keen Company website.

A Day At The Office in "London Wall"

Miss Pat Milligan (Elise Kibler) and Mr. Brewer (Stephen Plunkett)
in a scene from John Van Druten's "London Wall,"
in a Mint Theatre production through March 30th.
Photo © Richard Termine.

"'Work's work,'" Mr. Walker of Messers Walker, Windemere & Co. of London Wall, quotes his father as saying. "'but with women about it never can be.'"

John Van Druten studied, practiced and even taught law, while enjoying a great success as a playwright, and later screen writer. In "London Wall," The Mint Theatre is reviving one of his earlier gems.

"London Wall," playing through March 30th, is a naturalistic work, focusing on the economic exigencies of young working women in a busy law practice. "London Wall" sets off to a lethargic start, like Miss Bufton (Katie Gibson) after her lunch break--"I don't really like being taken out like that in the middle of the day. I'm no good at all for work in the afternoon. I shall probably fall fast asleep over my machine."--but picks up apace and never lets us nap once it does.

Miss Pat Milligan (Elise Kibler) with Miss Hooper (Alex Trow), Miss Bufton (Katie Gibson, seated) and Birkenshaw (Matthew Gumley) in a scene from "London Wall" at The Mint through March 30th.  Photo © Richard Termine.

The other typists in the office have less active social lives than Miss Bufton's. Miss Hooper (Alex Trow) is expecting her boyfriend to a get a divorce from his wife. Miss Janus (Julia Coffey) has spent seven years in courtship with a man in diplomatic service whom she too hopes to marry.

Mr. Brewer (Stephen Plunkett) oversees the office, flirting with all the typing pool, but with an eye to woo young Pat Milligan (Elise Kibler.) Their boss, Mr. Walker (Jonathan Hogan) warns Brewer off, finding his behavior towards the women in the office appalling.

Miss Blanche Janus (Julia Coffey) and Mr. Eric Brewer
(Stephen Plunkett)  in "London Wall"
at the Mint through March 30th. Photo © Richard Termine.

With the smirk of a cad, Brewer is outgunned by Miss Janus, who knows a thing or two about affairs of the heart. Blanche Janus is protective of Pat, and dislikes Brewer who is slimy and insinuating.  Her interest in Pat and her beau, Hec Hammond (Christopher Sears) is in part nostalgic.

Mr. Walker (Jonathan Hogan) with Pat (Elise Kibler) in
"London Wall" at the Mint. Photo © Richard Termine.

The play depicts office life in all its regular mundanity. The firm of Messers Walker, Windemere & Co. is hectic with the comings and goings of workers and clients. Hec is a visitor from a firm downstairs, frequently borrowing a reference book from the general office, as an excuse to see Pat.  Miss Willesden (Laurie Kennedy) is an eccentric but well-heeled client whom Mr. Walker will no longer see, but whose wills and legal actions are part of the firm's business. Mr. Brewer attends to her whenever she appears unexpectedly at the offices.

Brewer (Stephen Plunkett) with Miss Willesden
(Laurie Kennedy) in "London Wall."
Photo © Richard Termine.

"I know office work's no fun. I don't always enjoy it myself. There are lots of things I'd rather be doing, and thinking about, but they can't intrude here," Mr. Walker says. The office in "London Wall" is a great deal of fun, however.


The prolific Davis Mccallum directs this superbly well-coordinated ensemble. Resident dramaturg Amy Stoller contributes to the little realisms of this excellent and engrossing production.

The elaborate sets by Marion Williams engulf the theater space in the office, further emmersing us in the daily life at the law firm in London Wall.

Among this outstanding cast, the benevolent Mr. Walker is admirably brought to life by Jonathan Hogan; the dishonorable Brewer is divinely portrayed by Stephen Plunkett; and Miss Pat Milligan as embodied by the newcomer, Elise Kibler, is an intelligent go-getting young woman. Rounding out the cast is the cheeky officeboy, Birkenshaw (Matthew Gumley.)  In this group of players, no one should be left off this long list of bests, but we will add one more standout in Julia Coffey who gives Miss Janus a keen and warm understanding.

For more about "London Wall," please visit The Mint Theatre.

Around town

Thomas F. Flynn recounts his
esperiences on September 11th
in the new play based on his book of
the same name. At BMCC Tribeca
Performing Arts Center.

1. Raise a glass to the Bard 

2. King Lear for "A New Audience"

3. A noteworthy new venue takes shape at WTC

4. Remembering the day the Towers fell

5.  What would Sartre do?

6. Paul Taylor, Dancemaker

7. Project Shaw
8. Grifting, game theory and comics

Shakespeare and beer....
New York Shakespeare Exchange has come up with another brilliant way to promote the Bard of Avon: The first ShakesBEER of 2014 will kick off in March, with two "Stone Street" crawls scheduled for Saturday, March 1 and Saturday, March 8 with additional Shakespearean bar crawls scheduled throughout the year-- 10 in all.

At each pub, the actors, cheek by jowl with the audience, break out a scene from one of the Bard's works. The ShakesBEERean acting company includes many a Shakespeare hand from the city, NYSX past performances, and from around the country.

In case you need a remindeer, NYSX recently held The Sonnet Project as a tribute to William Shakespeare, and a way to encourage appreciation of his work in a modern context.

For tickets and information, visit www.shakespeareexchange.org/content/shakesbeer-2014

Kings in their dotage
For fans of "King Lear," there can't be too many productions of the great Shakespearean tragedy. There's another one in Brooklyn this spring, following Frank Langella's at BAM. This one features Michael Pennington, two-time Olivier Award nominee, an artist of international stature and one of England’s greatest classical actors, in the title role in William Shakespeare's tragedy. Mr. Pennington leads a company of 22 actors. This is the second production in Theatre for a New Audience's inaugural season, which kicked off with "Midsummer Night's Dream," at its first permanent home, the new Polonsky Shakespeare Center, 262 Ashland Place in Brooklyn, directed by Arin Arbus. "King Lear" begins previews March 14 for an opening March 27 and a run through May 4.

Find out more by visiting http://www.tfana.org/

The PAC at WTC
A new and noteable venue is emerging at the World Trade Center with the appointment of a core team to lead the The Performing Arts Center at the World Trade Center (PAC.) David Lan, Artistic Director of London's Young Vic, has been appointed as Consulting Artistic Director alongside Lucy Sexton as Associate Artistic Director. Andy Hayles, Managing Partner of innovative theater consultancy Charcoalblue, will be the theater design consultant. Film director Stephen Daldry has joined the PAC’s Board of Directors.

The artistic team is collaborating with the PAC’s staff, board and numerous consultants to create a global center that will produce and present new work, in multiple disciplines. All of this will take place in an adaptable venue with unprecedented digital connectivity.

Where were you on 9/11?
Thomas F. Flynn jumped on his bicycle outside his Greenwich Village home and followed the first plane downtown. There he became not a witness and reporter, but a participant, caught up in surviving the tragedy that rocked New York a little over a dozen years ago. In "Bikeman,"  Flynn, a veteran journalist, and an award winning writer and producer for the CBS Evening News with Dan Rather, recounts his experiences on 9/11.  Flynn was there at the fall of the south tower. "Bikeman," based on Flynn's book, is  directed by Michael Bush and features Robert Cuccioli, Irungu Mutu, Angela Pierce, Elizabeth Ramos, and Rich Topol.

"Bikeman" began performances on January 26th and is set for an opening on February 18th at BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center, 199 Chambers Street.
For information, go to www.Bikeman911.com.  

"Hell is other people."-- Sartre
Can an existential attitude help us cope? Or might it drive us to solitude?  Find out when the Pearl Theatre presents Jean-Paul Sartre's "No Exit," from February 25th through March 30th. Linda Ames Key directs this adaptation from the French by Paul Bowles.

To find out more, please visit http://www.pearltheatre.org/1314/noexit/

Fill your March with dance. 
Paul Taylor is still turning out modern dance classics with attitude, verve and abandon. Beginning in mid March, his company, PTDC begins its diamond anniversary season at Lincoln Center, with the sponsorship of Tiffany's for its Spring gala. The repertory includes two newly minted pieces, so look for Marathon Cadenzas and American Dreamer on your dance card.

For a performance schedule and tickets, please visit www.ptdc.org.

And another thing....
Check out the Gingold Theatrical Group's "Project Shaw" at Symphony Space. Each production is one Monday night only, with "The Philanderer" coming up on February 24th.

For more information and tickets, go to Project Shaw.

Cons are a family affair in "Fast Company"

 www.carlaching.com

Blue (Stephanie Hsu) is the daughter who is excluded from the family business of grifting and sent off to college. There she discovers that you can run a con using advanced mathematical theory.

Carla Ching's new comedy "Fast Company," under the direction of Robert Ross Parker, begins previews March 12th for a run through April 6th at the Ensemble Studio Theatre.


For tickets for "Fast Company," please visit Ovation Tix.

How well do we know even our closest friends?

Domesticity can make for a very dull subject.

In Donald Marguiles' Pulitzer Prize winning play,  in a Roundabout Theatre Company revival, at Laura Pels Theatre through April 13th,"Dinner With Friends," it is laced with the spice of infidelity.

Beth (Heather Burns) spills her misery to her old friend Karen (Marin Hinkle) and her husband's best friend Gabe (Jeremy Shamos) even before the dessert is served. Tom's (Darren Pettie) absence from this regular gathering is actually due to his going to see his girlfriend, and not because he is off on another business trip.

When his travel plans are snowed out, Tom returns home to discover that Beth told Gabe and Karen that he wanted a divorce. Late as it is, Tom drives over to to set the record straight with Karen and Gabe, who feel betrayed by the dissolution of Beth and Tom's marriage.

Gabe and Karen had fixed Beth and Tom up, spent vacations with them and their kids together over the years. While Beth was clearly blind-sided, they were the last to know. Beth muses,  "He was moody. Yes. Distracted. I thought it was work. Or jet lag..." Tom tells Gabe he has never been happier than he has since his marriage ended. He doesn't want therapy, or need advice.

"Dinner With Friends" tells a simple tale of four friends, two couples, each looking to keep passion alive or rekindle it, despite the grind of the day to day domesticity of their lives.

As Tom, Darren Pettie manifests an appropriately defensive menace. He is the the bullying poster boy for leaving your wife. When Tom tells Gabe about his new girlfriend, he sounds as if he is proselytizing: "She saved my life, Gabe. She really did; she breathed life back into me " His enthusiasm for the new is like a slap at the friendship he and Gabe have shared.

Jeremy Shamos has the gift of likability that make his Gabe vulnerable and approachable. He is a content with the life he's chosen: "We’ve all made sacrifices to our kids. It’s the price you pay for having a family," he tells Tom.

Under Pam MacKinnon's direction, the ensemble breathes fresh life into this ordinary story. Heather Burns plays Beth as both put-upon and manipulative. The subtlety in her characterization contrasts with Marrin Hinkle's straightforward portrayal of the judgemental and down-to-earth Beth.

"Dinner With Friends" covers the twelve plus years of marriages and friendships with ease and panache. The attractive sets, designed by Allen Moyer, travel through the many locales "Dinner With Friends" inhabits, from Martha's Vineyard to rooms in the protoganists' homes.

If you have seen the 2001 Emmy-nominated film version or the original 1999 production, you will find this one charmingly done and nicely staged. (Need more opinion? Check out TB review on VP.com.)

To learn more about "Dinner With Friends," please visit http://www.roundabouttheatre.org/

Location, location... It's a drag!

The vagaries of real estate seems such a New Yorker's obsession.

Keira Keeley, Charles Busch, Julie Halston, Mary Bacon and Jonathan Walker in the Primary Stages production
of "The Tribute Artist" © 2014 James Leynse.

In Charles Busch's latest ouevre, "The Tribute Artist," in a Primary Stages production at 59E59 Theaters through March 16th, the real estate is a Greenwich Village townhouse.

The expansive and elegant set, by Anna Louizos, is a grand and dignified persona. The other characters do not fare as well. The live action is marred by improbability, admittedly often very funny, and a slow pace.

Cynthia Harris in the Primary Stages production of "The Tribute Artist" © 2014 James Leynse.

Treading the fine lines between drag queen/female impersonator/and down-and out "celebrity tribute" artist, Jimmy (Charles Busch) seizes a foolproof opportunity. Jimmy's unwarranted optimism lends both fizz and fizzle to playwright Busch's comedy. His friend, Rita (Julie Halston) joins him in a scheme to impersonate Adriana (Cynthia Harris); Adriana was Jimmy's landlady in the beautiful old house, who died in her sleep during a night of carrousing with Rita and Jimmy. 

Julie Haston in the Primary Stages production
of "The Tribute Artist" © 2014 James Leynse.

Halston, a long-time Busch actor and collaborator, and Busch have a natural chemistry and ease. What could go wrong, Jimmy asks? The plot's twists make for many a merry surprise.

Enter Adriana's niece by marriage, Christina (Mary Bacon) and her transgender daughter, Oliver (formerly Rachel) (Keira Keeley), wth a claim on the property. Oliver, ever the romantic, hunts up an old flame of Adriana's on Facebook and hence, enter Rodney (Jonathan Walker.)  Highlights of the producton include an exit scene Busch has written for Rodney, and the fact that young Oliver-Rachel can curse like a stevedore on steroids.

The unrelenting zany in "The Tribute Artist" has some wonderful moments, and some predictible. Don't fault the cast or director Carl Andress for any lulls in the party; sometimes the zany just falls flat.

It's always a pleasure seeing both sides of Busch-- ingenuous actor, inventive playwright. Unfortunately in "The Tribute Artist," Busch the playwright does not do Charles Busch, the actor, justice.
(See also Tamara's Tumblr for additional commentary.)

To learn more about "The Tribute Artist," please visit http://www.primarystages.org/

Theater is about engagement, tears and laughter, and make believe

Fairytales make for good theater, because through them we envision a world different from the daily grind.
There is magic and mystery.

by Sheila Burnett: "Beauty and the Beast" at Abrons Arts Center

"Beauty and the Beast" is a compelling story in which the beast is misunderstood and opposites attract.
In the new production at the Abrons Arts Center, starting March 13th,  the Beast is played by Mat Fraser, a well-known disabled actor and performance artist in his native England; Julie Atlas Muz, choreographer, former Miss Coney Island and burlesque artist, is his Beauty. This moving "Beauty and the Beast" is definitely for mature audiences only.

Jim Himelsbach (live) Paul Zimet (projected)
In Mallory Catlett's "This Was The End."
Photo by Keith Skretch

Phelm McDermott, founding member of Improbable theater company, directs the live-action, improvisational and puppet pageant. Hear what the director and actors say about the development of "Beauty and the Beast"in this video.

To learn more about "Beauty and the Beast," please visit www.abronsartscenter.org

Memory not fairytales drives Mallory Catlett's "This Was The End," at the Chocolate Factory from February 21s to March 8th. In Chekhov's play the eponymous Uncle Vanya asks, "What if I live to be 60?" In Catlett's play, a veteran cast of four, Black-Eyed Susan, Paul Zimet, Jim Himelsbach and Rae C. Wright explore the answer by looking at the manifestations of aging, from memory loss and sleep deprivation to the tolls it takes on the physical being.

Black Eyed Susan in Mallory Catlett's "This Was The End" at the Chocolate Factory through March 8th. Photo by Keith Skretch

To find out more about "This Was The End," and get a small sampling of the show see this and visit http://www.chocolatefactorytheater.org/. 

Emily Schwend's "Take Me Back," at Walkerspace in a Kindling Theatre Company production from February 28th through March 22nd, looks at the American dream through the eyes of a parolee back from a four-year Federal stint. To Bill, living with his diabetic mother, the dream is more like a nightmare. Or perhaps a different kind of fairy tale.

To find out more about "Take Me Back," please visit  them at their FB page and go here for tix.

Former Czech President, Vaclav Havel's last work "The Pig, or Vaclav Havel's Hunt for the Pig," witten by Havel and Vladimír Morávek, adapted into English by Edward Einhorn, presented at 3-Legged Dog in a Untitled Theater Company #61 production from March 6th through March 29th, combines food, drink, revelry, song and politics. 

Before the show, Cabaret Metropol, a New York-based ensemble specializing in classic European cabaret music, performs. The production's “after-party” features a tribute concert of music that inspired the Velvet Revolution, from the Velvet Underground and others, performed by the members of the dynamic cast. Dinner is provided by the Slovakian restaurant Korzo.

For more information about this production and 3-Legged Dog, visit http://www.3ldnyc.org/