The Fabulous Andersons In A Tribute to The Dorseys

The joint is jumping, you better believe it!

Swing, swing, swing is in the air as the fabulous Andersons give a tribute to Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey at 59E59 Theaters through October 7th.  "The Anderson Twins Play The Fabulous Dorseys" is set to snippets from the film "The Fabulous Dorseys" with a charmingly cornball script by the brothers Will and Pete.

Pete Anderson, Jon-Erik Kellso, Kevin Dorn and Will Anderson in  "The Anderson Twins Play The Fabulous Dorseys" at 59E59 Theaters. Photo by Lynn Redmile.

The battles between siblings Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey are echoed on the bandstand by Pete and Will. The brothers Anderson, who also offer a standard Thursday night performance in the E-Bar at 59E59, talented musicians on the clarinet, sax and flute, are backed by their sextet in this cabaret production of "The Anderson Twins Play The Fabulous Dorseys."   

For more information and tickets, go to www.59e59.org.  

The intersection of Beethoven and Quasimodo is Chekhov

Is it only the idealists among us who search for the unattainable? Can the melancholic also pursue it?
The premise in "The Hunchback Variations, A Chamber Opera," at 59E59 Theaters through July 1st, is a doomed collaboration between Ludwig von Beethoven (George Andrew Wolff) and Quasimodo (Larry Adams) to find a sound that will fulfill a stage direction in Anton Chekhov's "The Cherry Orchard."
Quasimodo and Beethoven, both deaf and more than a touch ornery, are holding a series of panel discussions on the inevitable failure of their project. The attempt to create "the Impossible, Mysterious Sound" and "the Effects on Love and Friendship of Rehearsing the Creation of the Impossible and Mysterious Sound" are the subject for "The Hunchback Variations, A Chamber Opera." The sound is "impossible" because it is one of nostalgia for something lost or missing or not existent. Beethoven and Quasimodo are trying to find something that eludes the senses.

Mickle Maher, an original member of Chicago's Theater Oobleck which brought the musical play east, adapted the chamber opera from his eccentric little play "The Hunchback Variations." His libretto is set to Mark Messing's score for cello (played by Paul Ghica) and piano (Christopher Sargent.)
Adams and Wolff both have a wry demeanor and pleasant voices. They tell the tale well, revealing the details of the relationship between Quasimodo and Beethoven over the course of eleven "variations."
Quasimodo asks, "Where do we put the happiness that has not been forged?... Where is the room for keeping all the nothings?" Beethoven responds "I would like to think that such a room exists."

For a schedule of performances, visit www.59e59.org To learn more about the producing company, Theater Oobleck, visit http://theateroobleck.com

Geeks to Whales: Can Devolution Be Progress?

Evolutionary biology has somehow become controversial.

Sets and video design by Jim Findlay. Patricia Buckley as Minnie, one of the characters she portrays in “Evolution.” Photo © Russ Rowland

Darwinism battles creationism in "Evolution" at 59E59 Theaters through May 20th.

Minnie is overmedicated and living with her mother. Minnie was the bright sister, but it's Pammy whose career as an evolutionary biologist has made her the family star in "Evolution."

All three women, and Minnie's nurse Sherry, are intelligently played by Patricia Buckley, who is also the author of this funny and poignant new play.

Patricia Buckley is Pammy, an evolutionary biologist, one of the characters she portrays in “Evolution.” Photo © Russ Rowland

Sea mammals, as Pammy drolly lectures, can only be explained as land animals regressing back into the ocean. Minnie, whose name teases the word minnow, seems to be drawn to water. She may be a victim of devolution and the sea.

Jim Findlay's sets and video designs for "Evolution." project dynamic marine scenes, enhancing the production.

Meanwhile, downtown on Here's stage, the New York Neo-Futurists present "You Are In An Open Field" on Thursdays -Saturdays through May 19th.

Steven A. French and Cherylynn Tsushima. Photo © Anton Nickel Marta (Marta Rainer) in "You Are In An Open Field" has a similar compulsion to Minne in "Evolution" for breathing under water. Marta is one of the geeks riffing on game theory in this musical slash video game entertainment.

"You Are In An Open Field" is written and performed by Kevin R. Free (Kevin), Marta Rainer and Adam Smith (Adam) and Eevin Hartsough. Rounding out the cast are Steven A. French (Actor) and Cherylynn Tsushima (Dancer) who add to the air of absurdity and whimsy. Music is created by the Neo-Futurists' frequent collaborator Carl Riehl who leads a live hip hop band. Christopher Dippel directs this off-beat and amusing theatrical event. To download tracks from the New York Neo-Futurists new musical "You Are In An Open Field" go to SoundCloud. Two songs, "I'm The Boss" and "Do It," are available on SoundCloud at the direct link http://soundcloud.com/ny-neo-futurists/sets/music-from-you-are-in-an-open. Visit www.59e59.org for a schedule for "Evolution."

To find out more about "You Are In An Open Field", visit www.here.org

The Music of Violins

Sometimes the truth can seem so fantastic that it makes for a great story.

Mary Beth Peil as Erica in a photo by James Leynse

After a slightly slow start, "The Morini Strad," in a New York premiere at Primary Stages at 59E59 Theaters through April 22nd, just begins to hum beautifully. Willy Holtzman's play is based on truth but it is fantastic in all the best senses--odd and imaginative; the characters "The Morini Strad," get a grip and hold on tight.

Michael Laurence as Brian with Mary Beth Peil as Erica in a photo by James Leynse

Erica (Mary Beth Peil), once a child prodigy, has only memories of her great performances (enacted by violinist Hanah Stuart) and her Davidoff violin. Age has diminished her capacities. No longer able to play, she is difficult, even unpleasant to everyone-- especially to the students she takes on. She invites Brian (Michael Laurence), a luthier, to come to repair the violin.

Hanah Stuart, Mary Beth Peil and Michael Laurence in a photo by James Leynse

Exacting and embittered, Erica asks Brian to sell the Strad. Beguiled by the promise of a huge payday, Brian invests his hopes and time in what may prove to be a futile endeavor.

Mary Beth Peil and Michael Laurence (with Hanah Stuart top) in a photo by James Leynse

Peil and Laurence beautifully play out the improbably affectionate relationship that develops between Erica and Brian. They give utterly believable and very moving performances.

Michael Laurence as Brian in his workshop. Photo by James Leynse

For tickets and a schedule of performances, please visit www.primarystages.org.