No Exit @ The Pearl Theater

“Hell is other people” is a line from Jean-Paul Sartre’s No Exit which sums up the entire plot and feeling of the play itself.

The Pearl Theatre Company presents a translation of Sartre’s No Exit written by Paul Bowles, which is directed by Linda Ames Key, and starring Jolly Abraham (Inez), Sameerah Luqmaan-Harris (Estelle), Bradford Cover (Cradeau) and Pete McElligott (Valet). The show looks at the idea of Hell being just a room that you are trapped in…with other damned souls picked specifically to push your buttons.

It’s apparent right off the bat that all of the actors are highly talented and fully invested in their characters. All of the characters are distinctly unique from each other, from the way they stand and move to the cadences and rhythms of each of their speeches. Abraham (Inez) is very grounded and moves like a cat stalking her prey while always having fire in her voice. Luqmaan-Harris (Estelle) flits around the stage with an affected upper class quality to her voice. Cover (Cradeau) is loose and lugubrious with his body and sarcastic and unaffected in his speech. McElligott (Valet) makes good use of his limited stage time with a distant, no nonsense, clipped quality to his voice and physicality.  

One of the main problems of the play comes from the writing. Sartre was a philosopher as well as a playwright, so many of the characters lines end up being long lugubrious philosophical monologues, or long monologues examining life back on earth. While this is certainly part of style of the play, it made the show feel a lot longer than its relatively short length of 95 minutes. Things would considerably speed up and became more enjoyable whenever the characters were allowed to play with each other. But it depends on what we go to the theatre for. If it’s for entertainment, No Exit is a bit heavy. But if it is to examine our lives and see them reflected in a thought-provoking way, then No Exit is the right show to go see.

Part of the heaviness of the show comes from the very quick shifts of atmospheres and emotions. One minute, the characters will be flirting with each other, then they would be screaming and angry and then suddenly they were laughing once more. The shifts were a bit jarring, but that could have been the point the director Linda Ames Key, wanted to make. The intimate space of the theatre made the audience really feel each emotion, and felt very claustrophobic. But that’s what the characters are feeling as well.

The additional crew of No Exit includes: Technical Director and Production Manager Gary Levinson, Production Stage Manager April Ann Kline, Interim Artistic Director and Dramaturg Kate Farrington, Sound Designer Jane Shaw, Scenic Designer Harry Feiner, Lighting Designer Ann G. Wrightson, Costume Designer Devon Painter and Fight Director Rod Kinter.

If you want to see a show that really makes you think, No Exit is certainly not something you should miss. It will only be at The Pearl Theatre Company until March 30th.

Review By: Chrissy Cody
Photos By: Al Foote III

All The Way @ The Neil Simon Theater

Bryan Cranston delivers a polished performance of presidential politics in Robert Schednkkan’s All the Way!

BRYAN CRANSTON, the Golden Globe® and three-time Emmy Award®-winning star of "Breaking Bad," makes his Broadway debut in an electrifying portrayal of one of the most controversial, ambitious and exciting presidents of the 20th century: PRESIDENT LYNDON BAINES JOHNSON.

This STRICTLY LIMITED ENGAGEMENT of the gripping and suspenseful new play from Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Robert Schenkkan features a company of 20 distinguished stage actors playing some of history's most dynamic figures: J. Edgar Hoover; Martin Luther King, Jr.; Governor George Wallace; Senator Hubert Humphrey; Secretary of Defense Robert J. McNamara and LBJ himself.

1964: A pivotal year in American history—a landmark civil rights bill was passed, America began its involvement in Vietnam...and one man sat at the center of it all, determined to lift the country out of the ashes and rebuild it into The Great Society—by any means necessary. Hero. Bully. President. He played whatever part it took to win the day. It's not personal, it's just politics.

Don't miss Bryan Cranston in the theatrical role of a lifetime, in the play about our lifetime. STRICTLY LIMITED ENGAGEMENT now playing at the Neil Simon Theatre.

Cranston makes his Broadway debut look like a twenty time Tony Award winner performance. He displays all of the arrogance, charm, charisma, and fiery passion of a politician with ease. The rest of the twenty four cast members also give exceptional performance, most of them playing multiple roles.

The visuals of the play may create a struggle for some audience members. There are multiple scenes in various settings and many shift quickly or blend together, however there is only one set piece that remains on stage for the majority of the play. The scene locations are typically indicated by a screen projection, but not consistently. Some of the projections are pictures of the area the scene is taking place in while others state in written form the location and time period.  Some of the elderly patrons (as well as some younger ones) were having difficulty following along.

History teachers, drama teachers as well as history buffs and actors will love this piece. Not only does the story cover vital turning points in American history with a slew of historical figures, but there is also an in depth study guide available on the show’s website (www.allthewaybroadway.com). This study guide has articles, activities, and other teaching tools to help teach students about history around 1964 and also how history can be incorporated into drama.

Though this is a historical piece and you may gain some knowledge of American history, watching this show does not feel like a three hour history lesson. It is faced paced and packed with real emotions. While the storyline circles some deep, haunting, historical topics, it is presented with a bushel of laughter and stellar performances.

Review By: Staci Morin
Photos By: Evgenia Eliseeva

Stockholm @ 59E59 B

   Stockholm both a place and a state of mind. The play by Bryony Lavery and directed by Nick Flint is an intellectually stimulating look at abusive relationships and the devastating affects they will have if perpetuated.

   Christina Benne Lind plays Kali, a wonderfully passionate woman bent on enjoying life to the utmost. Without once losing the intensity of a woman deeply in love, we see her passion become raging manipulation and abuse towards Todd played by Richard Saudek. A game which they have played for years, wherein she become jealous of some past lover of his, convinces herself he is going to leave her and then seeks to destroy his will. The story is old, domestic abuse. It is a rarity though, in which we see it displayed from this perspective. Richard's transitions from man in love to caged animal is both seamless and heartbreaking.  Christina and Richard sizzle onstage. Their chemistry and tension so clear you can see it shimmering between them, a chord that tightens, both in love and inevitably, hate.

   Typical Bryony Lavery style, the script is static. Jumping between third person narratives and dialogue, it takes a moment for the audience to understand who the story is about. A ploy that is both confusing and yet, highly stimulating. This is clearly not just a story about a couple, but rather an inside glimpse into an abusive household and how it will affect the next generation.
   Natalie Lomonte's choreography compliments both the actors abilities and the script. A particularly beautiful piece near the end of the play is breathtaking to watch as we see this couple, whom we have come to know, start their abuse cycle all over again.

   Nick Flint's direction smooths over much of Bryony's static style making the show relatable to an audience. I found the actors speaking in tandem to be a bit disconcerting because they were not completely in sync with each other, a direction I understand thinking back on the show, but one that confused the audience during the production.

   Crew includes, Techincal Director Lou Albruzzese, Composer Estelle Bajou, Sound Designer Janie Bullard, Scenic Designer James Dardenne, Lighting Designer Mike Rigs, and Costume Designer Kenisha Kelly.

   Both erotic and disturbing, Stockholm is not a show to be overlooked, but a piece to be savored and discussed. This play is only running through March 29th, so be sure to get your tickets here.

Hand To God @ The Lucille Lortel Theatre

Looking for a riotous and raucous night of religious slander and sock puppets?  If so, Hand to God is the place to be!  

Jason (Steven Boyer) is going through a difficult time in his life with the death of his father.  Lucky for him, he has Tyrone, his sock puppet, to help him through it.  It becomes clear quickly that this may not be lucky at all.  Between offending, Jessica (Sarah Stiles), the girl Jason is interested in and straining the relationship with Jason’s mother Margery (Geneva Carr), Tyrone causes Jason continual heartache.  Jason hopes to end his friendship with Tyrone.  Tyrone, however, has other ideas.  As the story unfolds, will the local bad boy Timothy (Michael Oberholtzer) get pushed too far?  Will Pastor Greg (Marc Kudisch) be able to handle what looks to be a possession?  Find out with this wonderfully offensive comedy that pushes the envelope of what might be appropriate in a Trey Parker/Matt Stone style.

Robert Askins’ script delivers humor on many levels.  His writing enraptures the audience, grabbing laughs like a shopping spree while simultaneously connecting the audience with all of the characters tragedies.  He is helped in this enterprise in no small way by the extraordinary cast.  Kudisch delivers the axiomatic Pastor with ease, giving us just the right hints into his deeper motives.  Oberholtzer is perfectly believable as the confused, love struck bully.  Stiles execution of dry humor makes for a hilarious counterpoint to the high chaos around her while Carr takes that volatile energy to new heights with her emotional tirades.

Boyer delivers both Jason and Tyrone with frightful ease.  His incredible versatility is simply awesome, a flawless Jekyll and Hyde act.  He delivers hilarity and horror with literally the same breath, an elite talent.

The production deserves its accolades as well.  Kudos must be given to scenic designer Beowulf Boritt and lighting designer Jason Lyons.  The set is peppered with amusingly appropriate religious propaganda at the start and transforms into a hilarious setting for the second half of the show.  The poster over Jason’s bed is especially enjoyable.  The lighting effects as well as set design are fully believable and help draw the audience even further in.

All in all, you will not be disappointed with Hand to God.  It is a road down insane hilarity that should not be missed.

Review By: Paul Morin
Photos By: Gerry Goodstein

Sex Tips for Straight Women from a Gay Man @ The 777 Theater

Sex Tips for Straight Women from a Gay Man was written by Dan Anderson and Maggie Berman.  First published in 1997 -- before TV shows and films such as “Will and Grace,” “Sex and the City” and My Best Friend’s Wedding reflected the straight girl/gay guy friendship in mainstream pop culture; and years before the “Queer Eye” guys introduced the world to the notion of better living through gay advice -- the book instantly became a national best-seller. Now it has hit New York City with a live interactive bang, leaving the audience, laughing, full of knowledge and thoroughly turned on!

This new comedy is set inside a local university auditorium, where the featured event is an interactive discussion with the author of Sex Tips for Straight Women from a Gay Man.  With the help of Stefan, a hunky stage assistant, author Dan Anderson encourages the shy and studious moderator of the event, Robyn, to follow her dreams while following his tips.  Based on the international best-selling book, this world premiere production welcomes audiences into a fun-filled world of foolproof moves and insider advice that could only be culled from that most insightful of individuals: the gay man.

The cast includes Jason Michael Snow (Book of Mormon, South Pacific, Saved) as Dan, Lindsay Nicole Chambers (Lysistrata Jones, Forbidden Broadway, “Submissions Only”) as Robyn, and Andrew Brewer (Cougar The Musical) as Stefan. These three drag the audience in and capture their undivided attention for a hysterical ninety minutes. Chambers is adorably awkward, Snow is quick, sharp and incredibly sassy and lastly Brewer is sexy as hell. This stunning talent combined with the lighting, sound, audience participation, awkward sex talk, and a strip tease on the moon leaves the audience begging for more.

Sex Tips for Straight Women from a Gay Man is now playing Off-Broadway at The 777 Theater. This show is highly encouraged for audiences over the age of 18, gay, straight, married or single, its a great show for everyone.

Review By: James Russo

Photos By: Jeremy Daniel