Sylvia -The Dorset Players

Given the popularity of A. R. Gurney’s play, Sylvia, it is hard to believe that it was rejected many times before it was first produced on Broadway. Missing his grown children and dissatisfied with his job, Greg bonds with Sylvia, a dog who jumps into his lap while he is sitting on a park bench. His wife is not  thrilled when he brings the dog home.  Since in the play, the dog is embodied by an attractive young woman, it is understandable. The production of the play at the Dorset Players is delightful. Its only flaw is that it just   plays for two weekends and you don’t want to miss it. After listening to our discussion of the production, contact the Dorset Players for tickets.

Discussion of Sylvia

Dorset Players website

 

 

                            Jim Young, Maya Grace Redington Tracy Hughes

Red Maple – Capital Rep

Bob and I saw a delightful comedy at Capital Rep in Albany which we recommend. This is a world premiere  which is always exciting. However, I suspect this play will be produced by other theatres because of its appeal. Capital Rep is a theatre where we have enjoyed engaging productions before. We discuss the play below. However, in our discussion, we did not mention the significance of the red maple which is a stimulus for much of the action that takes place in the stylish  Albany apartment. Two couples. who are old friends. discover a great deal surprising about themselves and each other. Listen to our discussion and then order tickets. The show plays until February 17 with evening performances Tuesday through Saturday and matinees, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.

Click below

Discussion of Red Maple

Click below to order tickets or call 518-445-7469

Capital Rep

 

             James Lloyd Reynolds, Elizabeth Meadows Rouse , Yvonne Perry and Oliver Wadsworth

Bennington Community Theatre – The Curious Savage

The Bennington Community Theatre will be performing The Curious Savage at Oldcastle Theatre on December 7 and 8. Bob and I had the opportunity to talk to some of the eleven actors and director Christine Decker before a rehearsal. We set up in the lobby of the theatre and spoke to Chris and the performers as they were available. Besides enjoying what they shared about their experiences  rehearsing the play, we learned more about the play which had been produced on Broadway in 1950.  Lillian Gish played the role of Mrs. Savage who is trying to keep  her money from her greedy step-children. It sounds like a fine plot for a comedy, particularly since there are so many charmingly eccentric characters. .

Click below to hear the interview

Interview with cast members of The Curious Savage

Then click on the Oldcastle Theatre website for tickets

Oldcastle Theatre website

The Fourth Wall

Oldcastle Theate Company is presenting A. R. Gurney’s unique  comedy with music The Fourth Wall through August 19. Gurney wrote  delightful and inventive plays, many of which Oldcastle has presented over the years since 1976, when they toured their first Gurney production, Who Killed Richard Cory?  Bob and I went to the packed opening night of The Fourth Wall. Our discussion of this most enjoyable   play is below. Just click to hear it.

Discussion of The Fourth Wall

Click below to order tickets and find our about the theatre’s other events

Oldcastle Theatre website

As usual on opening night Mike Cutler from CAT TV interviewed some of those connected with the production. Click below for to watch that.

CAT TV interviews

 

 

A Doll’s House Part 2 Weston

 A Doll’s House Part 2  is playing at the Walker Farm Theatre at the Weston Playhouse through August 26. This sequel to Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House was a hit on Broadway and is being performed throughout the country this summer. The issues that the original play raised which are further explored in this sequel by Lucas Hnath are absorbing and entertaining. Bob and I  have been talking about them a great deal.

Click below to hear our discussion

Discussion of A Doll’s House Part 2 Weston

Click below for the Weston Playhouse web site

Weston Playhouse

 

Pride and Prejudice

The Dorset Theatre Festival is presenting Pride and Prejudice from August 9-25. This version  by Kate Hamill adapts the Jane Austen book into what some have called a post-modern play. Talking with Jessica Frey (Lizzie) and Dave Quay (Mr. Darcy) made us eager to see this interpretation.  It sounds as if it will be a delightful evening in the theatre, particularly with these actors,

Click below to listen to them

Pride and Prejudice Interview

Then click on the theatre’s website to order tickets and find out about their other events.

Dorset Theatre Festival

You might also be interested in the actors’ websites. Click on their names below.

Jessica Frey

 

 

Dave Quay

 

 

 

 

Here is a picture of the cast and some rehearsal pictures.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As You Like It

As You Like It runs  from August 9 to September 2 at Shakespeare and Company in Lenox, Massachusetts. As You like It is a play that delights the first time you see it and the tenth time you see it. This version sounds particularly enticing since it is set in the early twenties in Shakespeare and Company’s  outdoor Roman Garden Theatre at five o’clock in the evening. Last year’s production of The Tempest was in the same location at the same time of day and was a delight.  If it does rain, the production will move to the tented Rose Theatre.

Govane Lohbauer

It is not only the actors that create the magic of theatre. Besides Shakespeare, there are many other talents that make plays come alive. Bob and I had the pleasure of interviewing Govane Lohbauer. whose costumes have enhanced many productions at Shakespeare and Company, and Jim Youngerman, skilled set designer, both of whom are helping bring this production  to life..

           Jim Youngerman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click below to listen to the interview

Interview with Govane Lohbauer and Jim Youngerman

Video, Director Allyn Burrows discussing the play

For tickets click on the web site below

Shakespeare and Company web site

For reviews of this and other plays click below

Berkshire Theatre Critics Association