You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown @ York Theatre Company

  

You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown was an uplifting adventure. The York Theatre Company, for the first time ever, assembled a cast of professional young actors to portray our Peanut friends and they took the performance into their own crafts.

Director Michael Unger sought to pay homage to Schulz’s 17,897 strips with a Peanuts stage designed by Brian Prather. Each element, from the spinning grand piano in the center that held Snoopy’s infamous doghouse to the comic-esque grass drawn on the ground was a scene set within one of Schulz’s mini stories.

Charlie Brown (Joshua Colley) was as we all remember—facing seemingly childish internal struggles that simply grow more complex as we age. Colley’s voice radiated the stage and his well-earned young talent was palpable.

Lucy (Mavis Simpson-Ernst) captivated that big, bold, pushy and psychiatrically-inclined character that resonates with anyone from any culture. Simpson-Ernst commanded the stage with professional ease.

Sally’s (Milly Shapiro) comedic timing was impeccable. Smart, sassy and always prepared with a comeback, Shapiro expertly maneuvered the stage and emulated her character right from one of Shulz’s strips.

Linus (Jeremy T. Villas) dragged his little blanket, shouted wise anecdotes and sucked his thumb in deep contemplation. Villas captured the deceptive depth of his character and graced the audience with a taste of his dancing in “My Blanket and Me.”

Schroeder (Gregory Diaz) was his usual, Beethoven-obsessed self. Diaz’s performance was riddled sarcasm and intelligence. He pulled us all into his musically enchanted world and made me remember that childlike innocence we all face when admiring the greats we one day want to be.

Lastly, Snoopy (Aidan Gemme), was the comedic tie of the show. Gemme’s performance was a cherished hilarity. With well-placed howls and barks, Gemme put his own deviant approach to Snoopy that I thoroughly enjoyed.

The York Theatre Company’s young professional approach is a welcome success. Assembling a cast of multi-cultural and highly versatile actors coupled with expert staging made for an excellent performance. If you are able, take the time to catch You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown at The Theatre at St. Peter’s.

Review By: Alex Lipari
Photos By: Sara Krulwich

Plaid Tidings @ York Theater Company

If you want a fun, warm, feel good musical that takes you back in time, you need to head over to The York Theater Company and see Plaid Tidings. This musical is a special holiday edition to Forever Plaid written and directed by Stuart Ross. Going into this show I was nervous that I haven’t seen the original musical, but the writing was so clever that I did not miss a beat.

Stuart Ross sets the musical in modern time, the Plaid Lads have been brought back to life and try to find the reasons why they have been brought back to earth, and they rely on the audience to help them discover their mission. The crazy plaid boys do a brilliant job of enticing the audience and bringing us along for the adventure.

The company consists of only four actors. We have Frankie portrayed by Bradley Beahen, who grounds the show, he’s the leader of the pack, and has a fantastic reality check with Rudolph the red nose reindeer and Frosty the Snowman. Next, we have Sparky, who lives up to his name. Sparky is played by Jose Luaces who managed to light up the stage whether he was singing, or just crossing the stage. Then we have Jinx, who was the shy plaid, but man did he have a voice! Ciaran McCarty plays this role perfectly, and you can’t help but fall in love with him. And the last Plaid Lad, Smudge. John- Michael Zuerlein plays Smudge, and in my opinion is the heart of the group. He can’t seem to keep up with the choreography and has the best physical comedy bits, but he breaks down and tells us the “uber dream” for the group, which is to have a Christmas Special on broadcast and to make people feel warm and gooey inside. And lets not forget the wonderful pianist, James Followell, who is on stage the entire time and deals with the Plaid Lads, but never misses a beat!

Along with a fantastic cast, the set was very impressive. It took you back in time and you feel like you are in the audience for a live taping. You enter the theater and all you see are Christmas lights and four mics. Little did you know that throughout the show, pop out platforms, and revolving doors would surprise you the entire night. The costumes were classic. They capture the “old school feel” and there was plenty of plaid.

Smudge talks about the Plaids uber dream and making the audience feel warm and gooey, and I must say, mission accomplished! I could not stop smiling during this show. The only thing that would make it better is if I had a cup of hot chocolate, because this space was so intimate, you really feel like you are at home watching a Christmas special on TV. This show was an amazing time, everyone should see it this holiday season, and you are guaranteed a smile and lots of laughs!

Review By: Briana Burnside
Photos By: Carol Rosegg

Big @ York Theater Company

When thinking of a musical named “Big,” audiences wouldn’t immediately think of a bare-bones production in a very intimate theater.  However, the York Theatre Company’s production of Big (which is part of their Fall 2014 Mufti Series) definitely delivers a performance that is anything but small.

Every kid dreams of the life they’ll have when they’re grown up, and Big, the musical adaptation of the 1988 classic comedy film, sets out to show that growing up isn’t always as great as it seems.  Big tells the magical story of Josh (Hayden Wall), a twelve-year-old boy who makes a wish on a carnival machine to be grown up.  When his wish comes true, he finds a job with a toy company owned by George MacMillan (Richard Maltby, Jr.) and meets the jaded Susan (Kerri Butler), a woman whose poor luck in love has gotten the better of her.  Of course, the now “big” Josh (John Tartaglia) soon learns that the perks of being grown up don’t come without some downsides.

Though the cast took the show from script to stage in less than two days, every individual gave a bright and energetic performance, and they all clearly had a great time.  Tartaglia brings humor and refreshing sincerity to Josh, a child suddenly in a grown man’s body.  Butler shines from the moment she enters as Susan, and shows great depth as she takes the character from a cold executive to a jaded woman who had forgotten how wonderful life could be.  Of course, Janet Metz gives an endearing and emotional portrayal of Josh’s mother, a woman who suddenly found herself dealing with the disappearance of her child.  Jeremy Shinder gives a solid comedic performance as Josh’s pre-teen friend Billy.  Finally, it is worth noting that Maltby, known for being a director and lyricist, gave a commendable performance as MacMillan, the kind-hearted owner of a huge toy corporation.  Maltby was added to the cast following a last-minute cancellation, and was a welcome addition.

The rest of the cast (James Ludwig, Rhyn Saver, Tom Lucca, Elainey Bass, Liam Forde, Trista Dollison, and Whitney Brandt) each play multiple characters, and give fun and enjoyable performances in each unique role they take on.

Overall, the cast of this stripped-down production of Big, under the direction of Michael Unger and the musical direction of Eric Svejcar, gives audiences an unexpectedly satisfying treat that certainly lives up to its name.

Review By: Jacob R. Hines

Inventing Mary Martin @ The York Theater Company

 Mary Martin, famous for originating the roles of Nellie(South Pacific), Maria(The Sound of Music), Venus, and Peter Pan, had a career that spanned 40 years filled with Hollywood movies and tours overseas. Earning four Tony Awards and an Emmy in her lifetime, she famously invented herself and reinvented herself to match the needs of pop culture and was hugely respected by such composers as Rogers and Hammerstein and Cole Porter, and beloved by audiences all over the world.

 This revue honors her achievements with stunning performances by Emily Skinner, Lynne Halliday, Cameron Adams, and hilariously narrated by Jason Graae. A show filled with laughter, it is unafraid to dig up the flops of Martin's career as well as the achievements, poking light hearted fun at her earlier disappointments reminding the audience that she too as human, while at the same time boasting of her talent by pointing out that Martin beat out Ethel Merman for a Tony.

   Emily Skinner(Tony nominee) is enchanting, representing the sensual nature of Mary, her voice consistently draws you in and keeps you on the edge of your seat. Young, peppy Cameron Adams, brings Mary's youth to life with her lilting soprano voice and sweet, yet spunky demeanor. Lynne Halliday, is graceful, creating the illusion of old Hollywood glamour. Together, these women weave Mary's story.

   Jason Graae, the narrator and host of what can only be called a party, is both comic relief and responsible for moving the storyline along. Representing as many males as he needs to, his shining comedic moment was actually reenacting Mary's "Women's Fashion in 50 years." To the direction of an off-stage voice, Graae races through 50 years of women's fashions, complete with heels and hats galore - absolutely the funniest moment in the show.

   Written and directed by Stephen Cole and co-directed and choreographed by Bob Richard, Inventing Mary Martin is quite obviously a labor of love and the admiration for the woman is apparent in the show. While the script can be somewhat lagging at times, the numbers are beautiful, and the cast incredibly talented.

  Inventing Mary Martin opened at the York Theatre, April 27th and will be playing through May 25th, be sure to get your tickets here!

Review By: Aziza Seven
Photos By: Jenny Anderson

Love, Linda: The Life of Mrs. Cole Porter @ York Theatre Company

Love, Linda: The Life of Mrs. Cole Porter is a one woman show that will have you leaving the theatre more thoughtful and educated about the relationship between one of Broadway’s greatest composer and the charming millionaire wife that helped create him. 

Stevie Holland who wrote the book with Gary William Friedman, also plays the esteemed Linda Porter with grace and poise, breathing life into this often looked over muse in history. While some of the acting would be better suited for a less intimate gathering, Stevie does a wonderful job. She is obviously very invested in this historical figure and her passion shows so much so that I found myself completely immersed. 

Lending a hand was the talented Musical Director, Christopher McGovern on the piano, featuring bassist Danny Weller, and drummer Alex Wyatt. Together, they created the perfect jazz trio. Mixed with Stevie’s throaty jazz vocals, they’re interpretation of Cole Porter’s works brought to mind the speakeasies and parties they were originally played at by the legend himself. 

The show features such classics as "In the Still of the Night," "Love For Sale," and "Miss Otis Regrets." 

Directed by Tony winner Richard Maltby, Jr., the production weaves itself through a narrative exploring the deep love felt between the couple as well as shedding some light on their more complicated relationship.

Love, Linda opened officially at the York Theatre Company on Dec. 12 and has a limited run through Jan. 5th. I suggest getting tickets as soon as possible!

*The York Theatre Company is under the leadership of producing artistic director James Morgan and executive director Andrew Levine. 

Photo provided by playbill.com
Review By: Aziza Seven