Sandra Harberger

Don’t Look Back was written by local playwright, Kate Brennan, who wrote The Wonder in Alice which premiered last year as an immersive theatre experience at DreamWrights.  This time, Brennan is reimagining the story between Orpheus and Eurydice.

The 2006 musical, Hadestown, has renewed interest in the Greek mythology and the tragic love story between Orpheus and Eurydice. Ruhl’s play focuses on Eurydice’s perspective and her relationship with her father, who she meets in the underworld. Nana Yates portrayed Eurydice with honest emotions and strength through her grief. Christ Drinkut portrayed Eurydice’s father with warmth and compassion. Anshel Drayton portrayed Orpheus as determined and committed to his love.

We are introduced to Littlest One, played by Fia DiMercurio, as the newest dream giver. With child-like wonder and enthusiasm, she is guided by her mentors as she learns about who she is and her purpose. The Littlest One’s first assignment is a young boy and his foster parent who are terrorized by nightmares. The play contrasts whimsy and lightness of dreams with the heavy, darkness of trauma.

The show opens by immediately breaking the fourth wall as the audience is introduced to our actors for the evening. Joseph and Andrew are lead by Ryan, a Shakespearean scholar with questionable credentials, and their goal is performing the entire canon of Shakespeare in one night. The energetic trio start us off with the well-known tragedy of “Romeo and Juliet” filled with raunchy innuendos, puns, improv, and over the top physical comedy. The pace and hilarity speeds up from there leaving the audience and the actors out of breath by intermission. The second act focuses on Hamlet after everyone had a well earned break.

Benjamin Eisenhouer performed Dewy Fin with the same energy and comedic style as that of Jack Black. He connected well with the students and his character development had you rooting for him in the end. Bethany Maylkh had strong performance as the stern principal with an inner love for rock. The song, “Stick it to the Man,” was performed with such enthusiasm by the students. You could tell it was one of their favorites. Another student song, “If Only You Would Listen” was heartfelt and showcased the love and pain in the relationship between the students and parents.

This is a high energy show with an almost improv feel with lots of physical comedy. Many cast members were tasked with playing multiple parts, and I was impressed as always with their talent at creating a completely different character with a separate set of mannerisms, voices, and running gags. Some switches were even mid scene! Zachary Thompson had many laughs with his over the top performance as the evil Magistrate embodying multiple judges for the trial. The Bloodkravens, played by Michaela Wagner and Mark Tauzin, were a fun twist as an actual witch and wizard trying to avoid being accused.

The Scenic Designer, Billy Ferrell, and the Costume Designer, Simone Davis, worked together to create a fun, modern twist with a 60’s hippie flare to the production. You first meet the Athenians and discover the love triangles between all teens. Mylah Schmitt (Hermia) especially stood out with her ability to play a modern teenage attitude with Shakespeare words. We then meet the Mechanicals. This group is rehearsing a play for the Athenians. Ana Rosenbrein (Bottom) was a standout in her energy and strong physical acting skills for comedic relief. The Fairies are then introduced and cause a bit of mayhem for everyone. Troi Steele (Puck) was fun, mischievous and ambivalent to all the chaos he caused.

Eighteen years ago, the OrangeMite Shakespeare Company began a journey to bring every one of Shakespeare’s plays to the stage. They have reached the 39th and final play with Shakespeare’s epic tragedy, King Lear. OrangeMite’s King Lear is onstage January 17th, 18th, and 25th at the Appell Center for the Performing Arts under the direction of William Wolfgang. King Lear was written by Shakespeare sometime around 1605 and premiered onstage in 1606.  In this tragedy, King Lear suffers the consequences of testing his daughters’ love and choosing flattery over honesty.  William Wolfgang’s portrayal of King Lear was engaging and at times comedic.  He was filled with pride and narcissism and eventually you see his insanity and humanity as he discovered the error of the ways.  Another standout performance was Andrew Texter’s portrayal of Edgar, who was betrayed by his brother.  This role required such a transformation from innocence to beggar to redeemed authority figure.

Buddy, played by Lily Ganong in tonight’s show, was as funny and energetic as ever. He meets his grumpy father, played by Dawn Motter, and chaos ensues all over New York City. Jovie, played by Eve Haag, was sassy, and I enjoyed her song “Never Fall in Love (with an Elf).” And of course, there is a Santa Claus, played by John Baxter, who is up to date with the latest technology fly his sleigh and keep track of his list of gifts.

You will meet a young single mother, Doris, played by Bryn Walker and her daughter Susan, played by Savannah Desrocher. A painful divorce lead her to close her heart off to love and lean heavily toward cynicism. A good hearted old man, Kris Kringle, helped heal her heart and restored her faith, and those around him during a holiday season in New York City. Steve Brown gave a flawless performance of Kris Kringle. He has perfected his performance since first being cast as Kris Kringle in 1997.

Get into the holiday spirit with Wendy, Michael, and John as they fly away with Peter Pan and Tickerbell to teach all of Neverland about Christmas. Jules Quintilian’s Peter Pan was confident and exuberant, and of all her song, “Isn’t It Peculiar” was well done. Kristen Demmers’s Tickerbell was sassy and hilarious, and her song “Humbug” with the Pirates was filled with comedic moments. I really enjoyed the Pirate’s “Jolly Christmas.” Pirates singing about Christmas was such blend of themes. Lost Boy’s mash-up of holiday stories in “The Pageant” was really fun to listen to and watch as the Lost Boy’s all seemed to have so much fun as they learned about Christmas.

DreamWrights presents “Murder on the Orient Express” from October 31st to November 9th under the direction of Rodd Robertson. Jay Schmuck’s portrayal of the Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot, was excellent.

TAFE introduces you to Narnia by walking you through the wardrobe. You meet young Lucy (Madalynn Richard), Edmund (Mason Damon), Peter (Kade Junk), and Susan (Faith Brown) as they discover the magical world of talking animals, witches, and winter that never ends. Karen Leclaire was excellent in her portrayal of the evil witch who has taken over Narnia. Her cold and callous character is quite the foil to the calm and paternal Aslan, played by Lucas Wise.

DreamWrights presents the world premiere of “The Wonder in Alice” from September 26th to October 5th under the direction of Gregory DeCandia. This unique adaptation of “Alice in Wonderland” was written by local playwright, Kate Brennan, and conceptualized by Gregory DeCandia. DreamWrights took an artistic approach similar to the interactive art of Meow Wolf, the American immersive art company founded in 2008. Groups are lead through different 5 different art installations- Rabbit Hole, Cheshire Cat, Caterpillar, Mad Hatter’s Hall, and Queen’s Court.

TAFE: Theatre Arts for Everyone will present Spider’s Web onstage from August 22 to 25 under the direction of Quinton Laughman. See more details here!

TAFE: Theatre Arts for Everyone is presenting a Robin Hood on stage from June 27th to 29th. Robin Hood is an original adaptation written and directed by Diane Crews. TAFE brings the Sherwood Forest to life with the familiar Robin Hood characters robbing the rich to help the poor. This legendary English Folklore has been around since the 13th or 14th century AD.

Once on this Island is a Caribbean story about an orphan peasant girl, Ti Moune, who rescues a wealthy boy, Daniel, after a car accident. It is a story about the complicated nature of love. Jasmine Graham voice was perfect for the character Ti Moune.

It’s such a joy to see familiar Peanuts characters some to life. Charlie Brown (Caleb Stiffler) is lovable as always. Linus (Ally Ferrer) has his important security blanket at all times. Lucy (Kristen Demers) is loud and opinionated. Sally Brown (Ruby Maghoney) is the opposite of her brother in every way. Snoopy (Skye Williams) is imaginative and loved by all. Schroeder (Mariah Banke) plays the piano and loves Beethoven. Marcie and Woodstock (Mirada Snyder) round out the list of characters.

You will meet Bastian (Nolan Matseur) as he reads about Arteyu’s (Rio Gonzalez) quest to save the Childlike Princess (Lorelei Drinkut) and all of Fantastica. You will meet some of your favorite characters like Artax (Lydia Miller) and Falkor (Andrew Matseur). DreamWrights created the many mythical characters with puppets. The scenic design and projections of Fantastica was by Jay Schmuck, and the Swamp of Sadness was designed by Allen Brenner. All the elements worked together to create a magical show.