Review: Everyman Theatre Presents the Great American Rep - A Rotating Rep of Epic Scale

What was Everyman Theatre Artistic Director thinking when he envisioned doing two classic American plays like DEATH OF A SALESMAN and A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE in repertory. One theater, a set design that change from one show to the next in thirty minutes! The opportunity to see these two shows in ONE day for each and every Saturday and Sunday during the run!! One cast that can act in both plays and survive.

Well, it's all happening at Baltimore's Everyman Theatre. What a way to celebrate its 25th Anniversary Season and finish an incredible year of great theater.

Thankfully, you all have until June 12, 2016 to experience this unheard of experiment that can make it tough for actors and possibly cause exhaustion to theatergoers (I mean seeing both shows in one day which happens 18 times!).

Both shows are incredible enthralling. While Lancisi chose SALESMAN to direct (does do superbly), he reached out to Derek Goldman to lead an amazing cast in STREETCAR.

Kudos to Set Designer Daniel Ettinger who had the tough task to design both shows so the sets could be re-arranged in a short time and yet both could be so effective.

David Burdick (Costume Designer) has done a yeoman's task in creating the marvelous and utilitarian outfits worn.

There is superb lighting by Harold F.Burgess II, so vital in experiencing a great theatrical experience.

Chas Marsh does the Sound Design and great music which adds greatly to both shows.

Denise O'Brien designed the wonderful wigs which don't look like wigs.

Both Directors must be applauded for bringing both of these magical majestic masterpieces so that theater audiences can immerse themselves into the brilliant work of the playwrights, Arthur Miller and Tennessee Williams...no easy task.

And finally...the actors who all deserve the stirring standing ovations they receive every night.

SALESMAN opens with Wil Love, playing Willy Loman (Wil playing Willy...how did that happen?) walking down the far aisle towards the stage carrying the heaviest luggage imaginable filled with his "samples" that he carries all over New England from his home base in New York. You feel for this salesman as he huffs and puffs his way onto the stage. Love is just plain astonishing in this role. A part I will always remember.

His co-actors (eight from the Everyman Resident Company of ten) are giving it all. They are just plain superb. There's Megan Anderson as "Forsythe", Danny Gavigan as "Happy", Chris Genebach as his brother "Biff", Deborah Hazlett as "Linda", Willy's understanding wife, Beth Hylton as "Jenny" and "Letta", Drew Kopas as "Bernard", Bruce Randolph Nelson as "Charley" and "Howard", Carl Schurr as "Ben", Arturo Tolentino as "Stanley", and Dawn Ursula as "The Woman". Adding to the enjoyment is the wonderful voice of Kelli Blackwell who sings her heart out during short intervals. This was a great idea.

The two brothers play a pivotal role and work so well together in their dealings with their unhappy and quickly growing old father,Willy. The play is all about family and this case a very dysfunctional one. I've never seen it performed on stage before and it is rarely done according to Lancisi. Do not rely on the Dustin Hoffman version that played on television. One must see THIS production to really appreciate the talent of the playwright, Arthur Miller.

Now on to STREETCAR. Once again, a play that is not commonly done and again, I've only seen the Marlin Brando film and once again, you must see THIS production to understand the many nuances and themes emanating from the pen of the great Tennessee Williams. The city of New Orleans plays a major part of the story and you can almost smell the "beignets" from the Cafe du Monde in the original French Market near Jackson Square. (I own a mug.)

Director Goldman uses a slew of savory characters all over the stage to replicate they myriad people in the "crescent city". And then there's the jazz that envelopes the theater so you think Bourbon Street is outside and not Fayette Street.

The mood is infectious. The acting good enough for Broadway. And I truly mean it. Beth Hylton gives new meaning to the term "tour de force" playing the pivotal role of "Blanche" and along with Anderson's terrific take as her sister "Stella", they work brilliantly together.

Gavigan gets to play the role of a lifetime as "Stanley" and he and his close friend "Mitch" play by one of the best newcomers ever to take the stage at Everyman...Chris Genebach, are so superb, you don't even think they are acting.

The couple who live upstairs from the Kowalskis, "Steve" and "Eunice "are played by Nelson and Ursula. They are a terrific pair. Rounding out the cast is Tavish Forsyth ("Young Collector"), Kopas, Chloe Mikala, and Tolentino. Bringing the "blues" is singer Blackwell and she can really "sing the blues".

It's long evening of theater, three hours with two intermissions. But you will never look at your watch and you will also be thankful that you were able to see this unforgettable production.

Both plays have special events. For SALESMAN, the "World of the Play is May 21, "Nightcap Chat" on May 31, Cast Conversations on May 5 and June 2.

For STREETCAR, the "World of the Play" is May 21, "Nightcap Chats" on May 3 and May 31, and "Cast Conversations" on May 5 and June 2.

The plays run until June 12. For tickets call 410-752-2208 or visit www.everymantheatre.org.

Running along with the two plays is a series dubbed "Women's Voices in American Theatre. On four Monday evenings (when theaters are usually dark), actors from the Everyman ensemble of resident actors will offer readings of works by female playwrights. Each session will be hosted by a woman of not in the community.

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake began the series on April 25 hosting Lillian Hellman's THE LITTLE FOXES directed by Hylton.

On May 9, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra music director Marin Alsop hosts WEDDING BAND by Alice Childress. Hazlett directs.

May 23, Maryland Public Broadcasting's Rhea Feikin will host Wendy Wasserstein's THE HEIDI CHRONICLES directed by Anderson.

And finally, on June 6, Walters Art Gallery Executive Director Julia Marciari-Alexander will host one of my favorite plays by Lynn Nottage, INTIMATE APPAREL directed by Ursula.

The readings will be at the Everyman rehearsal hall. Subscriptions are $36 to $54. Single tickets are available.

Next season, FINALLY, has been announced.

Get ready to laugh. Three of the six plays are comedies and one is the first musical at Everyman's new home.

The comedies are DOT a new play by Colman Domingo running from Dec. 7, 2016 to January 8, 2017, THE ROOMATE by Jen Silverman running Oct. 26 to Nov. 26, 2016, and one of my favorite comedies, NOISES OFF, currently a huge hit on Broadway, running from May 17 to June 18, 2017.

The musical is LOS OTROS by Tony-nominee Michael John LaChiusa (THE WILD PARTY) and Ellen Fitzhugh runs March 22 to April 23, 2017.

The two plays are the mystery classic WAIT UNTIL DARK, Sept. 7 to Oct. 9, 2016 and a new adaptation of Charles Dickens' GREAT EXPECTATIONS running Feb. 1 to March 5, 2017.

What a year this looks like.

Subscriptions are now on sale.

THIS AND THAT

All this week , NBC's "The Today Show" is having BROADWAY WEEK.

Monday was the new hit musical WAITRESS.

Tuesday was THE COLOR PURPLE.

Wednesday will be TUCK EVERLASTING (with Baltimore's Pippa Pearthree)

Thursday will be SHE LOVES ME.

Set your DVRs.

For you fans of the great E. Faye Butler, catch her in a newly revised chamber version of GHOST: THE MUSICAL at the historic Fulton Opera House in Lancaster, PA. She plays Oda Mae Brown. It runs until May 14. For tickets, call 717-397-7425 or visit www.TheFulton.org.

December 7, NBC presents HAIRSPRAY LIVE with Harvey Fierstein and Martin Short

Finally, I highly recommend the Irish film "Sing Street" from the Director of "Once" and "Begin Again", Jonathan Carney. It is set in 1985 Dublin. The original music is so great I just ordered the CD. It also features the music of various hits from the '80s. It may remind you of the film and now Broadway show SCHOOL OF ROCK since it features young people starting a band. I can see "Sing Street" work as a Broadway musical.

Photo Credit: ClintonBPhotography

cgshubow@broadwayworld.com

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