Saturday, April 28, 2007

Theatrical Review: The Desperate Hours by Joseph Hayes

THE DESPERATE HOURS
Written by: Joseph Hayes
Directed by: Susan Butler
Theatrical Review by: Paul Adam Smeltz

Our Good Friends at The Center Stage Players presented the first production of their 2007 season with Joseph Hayes’ “The Desperate Hours” in The Shawnee Playhouse in Shawnee on the Delaware, PA which may bring to mind the classic film made during the 1950s staring Humphrey Bogart and Fredric March. The play focuses on what has become known as a home invasion where three escaped convicts set themselves up in a home to await money that’ll enhance their ability to elude the police who are searching for them. The family are terrorized by the convicts as they do their best to endure and survive the situation they find themselves in.

The play entices each audience member to ask themselves, “What would I do?” We see the situation unfolding and begin to devise our remedies to the scenarios we’re being witnessed to. However, we slowly begin to realize we may not think as clearly when actually faced with a similar situation as we would be merely viewing it from a detached perspective. Therefore, the play encourages its viewers to examine their own sense of certainty and allows them to understand those who may not take the perfect actions to remedy their situations.

Although The Center Stage Players is well know for its numerous stellar productions, “The Desperate Hours” is not their best show. The time in which the play was written doesn’t seem to translate well into our modern times in spite of the attempts to modernize it with cordless phones and other gadgets. Also, in the 50 plus years since the play was written, many potential members of the audience have become used to the more sophisticated and realistic crime dramas found on television.

In addition to this, the acting was a bit uneven. There is a motto among those who study the theatrical arts which states “Acting is reacting.” There were many times I’ve noticed actors reacting to things that hasn’t yet occurred. This anticipation took away from the sense of the characters experiencing things for the first time as we do in real life. I’ve also noticed how some actors delivered their line in a certain register which varied little or none at all. This took away from any sense of tension the production could have created as it prohibited a climax in emotion since everything was the same. This observation is unfortunate as these actors have proven they could do better work.

The Production was Directed by Susan Butler (who also served as Set Designer) and Stage Managed by Lillian Gonzalez. The large cast included Jack Butler who portrayed Mr. Paterson and served as Assistant Director and Set Designer, Our Good Friend Amy Cramer who portrayed Eleanor Hilliard and served in Publicity, Dan Eash who portrayed Jesse Bard, Ed Erm who portrayed Robish, Mary Stewart Erm who portrayed Miss. Swift, Glen Geisner-Getz who portrayed Dan Hilliard, Andrew Hendry who portrayed Ralphie Hilliard, Kyle Hess who portrayed the voice of Dutch, Tom Leeds who portrayed Chuck Wright, Chris Martinelli who portrayed Glenn Griffen, Kaitlen Miller who portrayed Cindy Hilliard, Christine Oberg who portrayed Harriet Carson, Steve Paugh who portrayed Lt. Carl Fredericks, Mark Pender who portrayed Tom Einston, and Brant Snuffer who portrayed Hank Griffen. Other members of the production staff included Arthur Ritter who served as Lighting Designer, Sarah Hendry Jesse Berlane who served as a Light/Sound Technician, Katherine Neville who served in Publicity and Designed the Program/Flyer for the production, and Roselinda Karlson provided production photographs.

“The Desperate Hours” by Joseph Hayes is currently being performed at The Shawnee Playhouse in Shawnee on the Delaware, PA. The Production runs until Sunday April 29th and continues on May 4th, 5th, and 6th. Please call 570-424-4050 ext 1544 for information and ticket reservation.

Numerous photographs relating to the production can be found in The Forwardian Arts Society Theatre 07 Gallery on The Forwardian Arts Society Blog at myspace.com/forwardian_arts.

Thursday, April 26, 2007

Theatrical Review: A Streetcar Named Desire.

A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE
Written by: Tennessee Williams
Directed by: Prof. Stephanie Daventry French
Theatrical Review by: Paul Adam Smeltz

Our Good Friends at The East Stroudsburg University (ESU) Theatre Department in East Stroudsburg, PA presented the classic Tennessee Williams’ “A Streetcar Named Desire” which takes place in a steamy section of New Orleans in 1946. As those who come to experience precious ESU theatrical productions have come to expect, the scene design by Our Good Friend Prof. Q. Brian Sickels brought a dimension to the play creating an expectation of excellence to the audience before the first lines were uttered. This expectation did not lead to disappointment.

There has been much said as to what this classic to the “American Theatre” is about and the meanings it has for those who view it. In fact, many of the character in the work seem to have more issues than the New York Times. Some see it as a play about abuse while others see it as a play about alcoholism. I see the play to be about a woman’s continuing spiral into madness.

The woman in question is Blanche Dubois. She is excellently played by Angel Berlane. Ms. Berlane’s performance embodies the multitude of elements the character demands of an actress who desires to be faithful to the part. These elements include ingredients consisting of melodrama along with deceit, melancholy, and pathos. All of which could be part of a recipe book entitled, “Cooking with Bourbon.” Ms. Barlane’s talent is to find a balance between these ingredients as not to allow one to overshadow the others thus spoiling the stew while at the same time presenting a meal to be partaken by the audience which is, by its very nature, unbalanced. This is no small feat and a great deal of recognition for her accomplishment is well deserved.

The play itself evolves around Blanche’s visit to her sister Stella Kowalski who is played by Crystal Berlane. Casting these two sisters to play sisters provides the audience an opportunity to experience a sibling relationship which has developed naturally throughout lifetimes as compared to one artificially manufactured during the course of rehearsals. This adds a welcomed dimension to the production lending a degree of reality which may have otherwise been lacking. One got the sense Crystal and Angel Berlane utilized the understanding they have of one another to bring more life into their characters. Together, the two sisters work well as a team.

However, like all pairs of siblings, Ms. Crystal Berlane has considerable talents of her own. Her portrayal of Stella brought into reality of what a life as an abused woman who loves her abuser is to the audience. The seemingly peculiar balance of naivety and worldliness most women in these circumstances exhibits was well presented by Ms. Berlane thereby demonstrating how many who seem to be victims of circumstances are sometimes volunteers. It may be appropriate here to note the presence of The Women’s Resources of Monroe County 24 Hour Hotline number of 570-421-4200 placed in the program. It’s good to be reminded we no longer live a time where no one can end the abuse in their lives.

In previous reviews of ESU productions, I’ve mentioned the enjoyment one can have in watching a young actor or actress grow in their talent as they gain more experience in the theatrical arts. This joy was pleasantly experienced by D. E. Ausem’s portrayal of Stanley Kowalski. A lesser actor could easily allow himself to be overshadowed to the point of imitation by the filmed performance that made Marlon Brando famous. However, Mr. Ausem’s talents brings a new life to the character leaving the image many people had of Brando’s portrayal in the far distant past. This is a new Kowalski with far more depth and understanding than Brando’s. At least it is according to this humble reviewer’s opinion.

A supporting character not well know by those who’ve heard of the play is that of Harold “Mitch” Mitchell as played by Jason Pallay. It’s unfortunate supporting characters don’t get the recognition they deserve as they are often essential to the play’s development and leads to a more enriched understanding of the other characters. “Mitch” is a simple man who is smitten by Blanche. Through his eyes we see the depth of Blanche’s insanity and her attempts to self medicate through bourbon and sexuality because she believes “Desire is the opposite of Death.”

Mr. Pallay’s portrayal of Harold “Mitch” Mitchell is done with the simplicity of a sponge absorbing all that is around him. This allows the audience to absorb the play through his innocence. Although there were times I was wondering when Mr. Pallay was going to tell Ms. Angel Berlane “life is like a box of Chocolates,” I felt his over all performance added something wonderful to the play and it wouldn’t have been as good without it. I look forward to seeing Mr. Pallay in future ESU productions.

The Production was well directed by Prof. Stephanie Daventry French who seem to have brought the talents of the cast to a deeper understanding of the play and themselves. Besides those already mentioned, other cast members and crew included Elanor Koening who portrayed Eunice Hubbell and served as a Prop Assistant, Michael Demyan who portrayed the Young Man and the Doctor, Our Good Friend Robin Kessler who portrayed the Musician and serves as Assistant Stage Manager and Sound Designer, Dave Morton who portrayed the Hot Tamale Man and served as the Assistant Director/Dramaturg, Alice M. Mol who portrayed a Neighbor and the Nurse, Our Good Friend Angelo Revilla III who portrayed Pabou Babin, Merrill McGuinness who portrayed a Neighbor and Flower Girl, Samantha Avola who portrayed a Saloon Girl and served as an Assistant Stage Manager, Raj Shankar who portrayed Steve Hubbell, Amanda Kalinowski who served as Stage Manager, Eric Creegan who serves as Lighting Designer, Jesse Berlane who served as Costume Designer, Patrick C. Dorian and Luis Lebron who served as Sound Consultants, Matthew Jacobsen who served as Master Carpenter, Jason Barry who served as Master Electrician, Jesse Jackson who served as Lighting Crew, Christopher Parlardy who served as Light Board Operator, Ryan Werkheiser who serves as Sound Board Operator, Stephanie Reyes who served as Wardrobe Mistress, Samantha Guy who served as Costume Assistant, Kendra Cruz who served as Prop Master, Melissa Rogers and Kaitlyn Howard who served as Pro Assistants, Janell Manzi who served as Prop Crew, Allison Getz who served as Make Up Designer, Kenny Garry and Ryan Groff who served as Running Crew, Rachel Mack and Meredith Lubin who served as Box office Managers, Heather Werline who served as House Manager, Krista Scott who served as Dialect Consultant, and Shaunenne Holt designed the Poster.

“A Streetcar Named Desire” by Tennessee Williams is currently being performed at The Fine Arts Building on the Campus of East Stroudsburg University in East Stroudsburg, PA. The Production runs until Sunday April 29th. Please call 570-422-3483 for information and ticket reservation.

Numerous photographs relating to the production can be found in The Forwardian Arts Society Our Good Friends Gallery on The Forwardian Arts Society Blog at myspace.com/forwardian_arts.

Sunday, April 22, 2007

Pages of The Sherman

Our Good Friends at The Sherman Theatre in Stroudsburg, PA hosted The Pocono Arts Council presentation of “Pages From The American Songbook” with The Fryer/Balaban Swingtet on Sunday April 22nd. A small but appreciative crowd enjoyed the nostalgic tunes. Our Good Friends Cheryl Yost, Richard Berkowitz, and Fran Henry (All of The Sherman Theatre) along with Our Good Friends Laura Goss (of the Pocono Arts Council) and Arline M. Smeltz were among those who enjoyed the show. The next show at Our Good Friends at The Sherman Theatre will be The Nancy Wilson of the Supremes Concert on Friday April 27th. Please contact Our Good Friends at The Sherman Theatre at 570-420-2808 for more information. You’ll find numerous photographs at The Forwardian Arts Society Music AMJ 07 Gallery at myspace.com/forwardian_arts.

Saturday, April 21, 2007

Circus Sherman

Our Good Friends at The Sherman Theatre in Stroudsburg, PA presented The Russian American Kids Circus on Saturday April 21st. It was a great show delighting of all ages. Our Good Friends Cheryl Yost, Richard Berkowitz, and Fran Henry (All of The Sherman Theatre) along with Our Good Friends Gary Lambert and Arline M. Smeltz were among those who enjoyed the show. The next show at Our Good Friends at The Sherman Theatre will be The Pocono Arts Council presentation of “Pages From The American Songbook” with The Fryer/Balaban Swingtet on Sunday April 22nd. Please contact Our Good Friends at The Sherman Theatre at 570-420-2808 for more information.

Bookhouse Bluegrass

Our Good Friends at The Eastern Monroe Public Library (EMPL) in Stroudsburg, PA presented Our Good Friend Louie Setzer and the Appalachian Mountain Boys during their Bookhouse Concert on Friday April 20th. It was a great evening filled with the delightful toe tapping sounds of Bluegrass music. Our Good Friends Rob Ramos and Linnae Cintron (both of The EMPL) along with Our Good Friends Michael Wetmore of SYLP-H (Support Your local Poet-Hooray), Mark Lichty, and Arline M. Smeltz were among the very enthusiastic audience. The Next Bookhouse concert will be entitled, “Just an Old Sweet Song” with John Abernathy on Friday May 18th. Please contact Our Good Friends at The Eastern Monroe Public Library at 570-421-0800 for more information. You’ll find numerous photographs at The Forwardian Arts Society Music AMJ 07 Gallery at myspace.com/forwardian_arts.

Thursday, April 19, 2007

A Little Night Poetry

Our Good Friends at The Shawnee Inn and Resort in Shawnee on the Delaware, PA presented their 2nd Annual Night of Poetry on Thursday April 19th. A small but very talented group of poets gathered to share word touching the soul of all who heard them. Our Good Friends Betsy Jackson, Rob Howell, and Amy Cramer were among those who shared their voices while Our Good Friends Jill Hammaren and Arline M. Smeltz were among those who listened with their hearts. Please contact Our Good Friends at The Shawnee Inn and Resort at 570-424-4000 for more information. You’ll find numerous photographs at The Forwardian Arts Society Literature 07 Gallery at myspace.com/forwardian_arts.

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Coffee and Sayles at ESU

Our Good Friends at East Stroudsburg University in East Stroudsburg, PA presented Our Good Friend Regina Sayles in a solo Common Grounds coffeehouse concert on Wednesday April 18th. Regina has the wonderful ability to bring something very meaningful to the songs she performs making even the cover tunes written before her birth as if they were her own compositions. However, the concert also included songs from her new CD which often surpassed the depth of the classics she offered. Our Good Friend Arline M. Smeltz was among the small but satisfied crowd who were in attendance. Please contact Our Good Friend Regina Sayles at www.myspace.com/reginasayles for more information. You’ll find numerous photographs at The Forwardian Arts Society Music AMJ 07 Gallery at myspace.com/forwardian_arts.

The NEPTA Awards Show Report

We hope our words find you well. Our Good Friend Marty Courtney has shared with us his impressions of what occurred during the NEPTA Awards Show which took place on Saturday April 14th in Scranton, PA. We, at The Forwardian Arts Society, would like to express our sincere appreciation to Marty for keeping us informed on what is happening in the Theatrical world and in reminding us of the many wonderful achievements of our local (i.e. NEPA) talent. We’d like to encourage you to share your news with us so we may post it on our blogs. We look forward to hearing from you and we’ll keep a good thought for you until then.

The Forwardian Arts Society

NEPTA Awards Show
Written by Marty Courtney

Last night at the annual NEPTA Awards Show it was proven that there is a great amount of talent in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Community theatre groups from all over the area received awards for their performances in 2006 and the competition was fierce. Here are some of the highlights for the Monroe County area theatre groups and their performers.

The Pennsylvania Rep Company won 3 awards for "Tiny Tim's Christmas Carol".
Best Choreographer.....Nance Brown.
Best Supporting Actress in a Musical.....Debbie Chambers as Mrs. Cratchit.
Best Director of a Musical.....Michael Harron.

The Stone Porch Theatre Company won 3 awards for "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest".
Best Lighting Design.....Arthur Ritter & Will Rothfuss.
Best Director of a Drama..... Will Rothfuss.
Best Drama of the Year.

The Stone Porch Theatre Company won an award for "Breaking Legs".
Best Lead Actor in a Comedy..... Marty Courtney as Lou Graziano.

Among the awards won by The Lakeside Players was Best Supporting Actor in a Drama won by Marty Courtney as Doctor Lane in "The House On The Cliff".

Nance Brown and Marty Courtney represented Penn Rep, and Amy Cramer and Matt Christie represented Stone Porch as presenters.

Cassie Dierolf beautified the stage as she represented Penn Rep as a "Trophy Girl" handing awards to the winners.

Chris Martinelli and Danielle Catrillo led several cast members from "Tiny Tim's Christmas Carol" in a scene from the show including the song "Christmas Time".

Easily the best acceptance speech of the night was by Chris Martinelli speaking on behalf of the cast of "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest" for the Best Drama award.

Rick Cummins spoke from the heart as part of the tribute to Michael Harron and film clips were shown going back to 1983 that included dramatic and musical scenes as well as some very funny bloopers and
out-takes. Michael received an extended standing ovation when he was given the NEPTA Lifetime Achievement Award and in his speech he called it the Half-Lifetime Award because he is not even half finished yet.

Community Theatre keeps getting better and better in our area and it will keep getting better as long as we all keep supporting it. If you involved with one theatre group in our area, support the other groups too. Go to their shows, audition for their shows, you'll find they have the same interests that you have. We are all in this for fun and the more we work together, the more fun we will all have. If you're not having fun acting, you must be doing something wrong.

He who laughs the most before he dies wins, and I'm in the lead.

Sunday, April 15, 2007

Climate Fest 2007

Our Good Friends The Deer Head Inn and The Antoine Dutot Museum Gallery in Delaware Water Gap, PA hosted The First Annual Climate Fest, which brought a much needed awareness of many environmental issues though speeches, music, art, and film, on Saturday April 14th. It was a great day filled with entertainment and meaningful information enabling the huge numbers of attendees to gain a sense they can help save the planet through their new awareness. Our Good Friends Michèle Bautier, Maxwell Kofi Donkor of The Sankofa Ensemble, Ron Penska of The Lost Ramblers, Phil Woods along with John Coats Jr., Spencer and Nancy Reed, Kate and Richie Roache, Marty Wilson along with Don Donato, and Peter Taney of the Juggernaut String Band were among the performers while Our Good Friends Richard Chamberlain, Marie Steeger, Ann and Willie François, Bill and Jill Goodwin, Christine M. Griffin (co Coordinator of the event), Jean Richardson and Nancy Scheirer of The Kirkridge Retreat Center, Gary Lambert, Mark Lichty, Suzanne McCool (Monroe County Commissioner), John J. Siptroth (PA State Representative), Mike Wetmore of SYLP-H, and Arline M. Smeltz were among the many who enjoyed the day. Please Explore www.poconoclimatefest.com for more information. You’ll find numerous photographs at The Forwardian Arts Society Climate Fest 2007 Gallery at myspace.com/forwardian_arts.

Monday, April 02, 2007

TFAS Poetry Festival

The Forwardian Arts Society (TFAS) held its First Annual Poetry Festival to honor National poetry Month at Our Good Friends at The Eastern Monroe Public Library (EMPL) in Stroudsburg, PA on Monday April 2nd. A small yet supportive group consisting of Our New Friends Doreen Torres, Kimberly Shultz, and LeeAnn Antal listened attentively with their hearts while Our Good Friends Ellen Bihler and Jeanette J. Jennis shared their poetry. The Forwardian Arts Society publishes poetry in their blogs so please feel free to email forwardian@hotmail.com to have your work considered. Please contact The Forwardian Arts Society at 570-269-3348 for more information about the group. You’ll find numerous photographs at The Forwardian Arts Society Gallery at 360.yahoo.com/pauladam.