La Musica Deuxieme: Produced by, blessed unrest

.                                      (Matilda Woods,Taylor Valentine)

La Musica Deuxieme: Produced by blessed unrest (theatre for the adventurous)

Written by Marguerite Duras; Translated by Barbara Bray; Directed by Jessica Burr.                  Costumes by Sera Bourgeau; Lighting Jay Ryan; Sound by Laura Galindo.

Marguerite Duras was a fantastic writer of lyrical and haunting poetry with a revolutionary style. She was a feminist who authored many novels, plays and screenplays. Her very praiseworthy and unique creativity includes this brilliant play ("La Musica Deuxieme") currently staged in the excellent space, The Drawing Room, a perfect venue for this highly charged story of love, desire and abandonment.  

It's a story of two lovers; He (Taylor Valentine) and She (Matilda Woods) have been separated for some time and meet again in a hotel room.  Many of Marguerite Duras' novels have hotel rooms, seaside resorts, beautiful white muslin curtains on gorgeous

                                            (Taylor Valentine, Matilda Woods)

French windows with a breeze that constantly makes the curtains wave restlessly -  like the people in the room; the character, "He", is restless, anxious, talks in French on the phone while anticipating something beautifully troublesome. Suddenly, here, the elegant Matilda Woods  ("She") enters. Thus, a tale of passion, longing, desire, betrayal begins one more time.

In a very charged language, they try to be vague about their dishonesty but both of them come to reveal how they have cheated on each other: He, with some exotic foreigner and She abandoning him (at least that's how he took it) while going to the bars all alone by herself. They each inhabit a dilemma of tortured passion to possess and abandon, and then possessing again under all odds, and followed by betraying and abandoning yet again, -  not only of the one that each desires but of one's own individual self, too.

The very tense and taut dialogue from both sides is all about this longing of being together at least one more time under all circumstances, though we (the audience) can see the ultimate result of said longing will be a disaster in the making a second time.

Duras' writing is all about an unfulfilled passion of ever longing, to be a winner of sorts that will encounter defeat over and again. The longing, (a beautifully and haunting word) is often suggested in a metaphorical, stream of consciousness manner that will lose its essence if that burning desire and long lost passion - still burning underneath - should unite. Duras's longing here has no union but merely stays as longing. It is an emotion that remains - expressing the characters' pain and regret of a love lost and in  spite of this eagerness to possess they both will have lost, alas! - one more time.  This passion, however, which leaves each lover naked without ever touching - surely lasts longer,

This is a wonderfully acted play by both Valentine and Woods, and directed to perfection by Jessica Burr.  Lit very effectively in dim light by Jay Ryan, it will be with me for a long time as well. I already feel a strong desire to see it one more time. 

Everyone should rush to catch a performance of a great play by one of the most gifted writers in the world.

May, 2024                                                                                                                                        Reviewed by BINA SHARIF

Editor/Publisher: artsinternational.blogspot.com

Member: ATCA

email: binashariff@gmail.com

Cell: 212-260-6207

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THE DOUBLE BASS:Origin's First Irish Festival at Cell Theater

THE DOUBLE BASS: FirstOrigin's Irish Festival at Cell Theater

THE DOUBLE BASS

Written by Patrick Suskind in German language

Translated and performed by Sean Gormly

Directed by: Labhaoise Magee

Lighting: Chris Steckel

Sound: Mason Pilevsky

THE DOUBLE BASS is a solo play translated and performed by a charming and talented Sean Gormly,who has the through knowledge of musical instruments especially the double bass.

According to the player, "The double bass is absolutely vital instrument of an orchestra but least appreciated." The actor also informs us that the double bass originally had three strings but eventually the fourth string was added to it."  It's a very important play for all of us who know a lot about the double bass and the ones who know the least. It's an hour long monologue, almost a lecture about the musical instruments and the lives of their players and the passion of the musical career with all it's longings, desires and frustrations.

Sean Gormly, a lonely man who lives in a sound proof apartment, minimlly furnished is ironing his white shirt at the start of the play informing us charmingly about the love and frustration of being a musician especially as the double bass player. He is very attractive to the soprano named Sarah of his orchestra, actually not only attracted towards her but is actually in love. He confessed that he had no girl friend for the last two years and express his longing for sarah by dancing with the double Bass, a very touching scene of the lonely life of an artist.

He talks about other composers like Mozarts and thinks he is over rated and his ambitious father was cruel to him. He likes German and Austrian composers better, Wagner among some of them.

He is not happy about his fee as a player compared to some others but is proud that he paid much less for his double Bass. Despite his loneliness and frustration about many things dealing with his Orchestra and personel life, his passion for music and his craft is outstanding. He doesn't allow his despair to take over his passion, and Sean Gormly has passion and dedication for his instument and for his craft.

He keeps himself busy, getting ready for his immediate performance, get dressed , ready to go after venting some regrets and lack of companionship but you know that his heart and soul is consumed byhim playing the double Bass for life.

This play is very educational, brilliantly performed in a calmly agitated manner by extremely likeable Sean Gormly. The play which was originally in German language has some Irish references whichdoes justice to his Irish brogue. THE DOUBKE BASS is not only a good play, it's also a very important play. We often go to the theater to reflect, to be inspired, to learn something new...all those things happened to me during the play. I was fascinated and I really learned a lot about the musical world and the musical instruments and the dedication of the artist under all odds and obsticles.

REVIEWED

bY 

BINA SHARIF

ATCA

Editor/Publisher:artsinternational.blogspot.com

Email:binashariff@gmail.com

Cell:212-260-6207

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LAST CALL FOR BABE REILLY: Origin's First Irish Festival

 LAST CALL FOR BABE REILLY: Origin's First Irish Festival at CELL

Written by: Marianne Driscoll

Directed by: Kira Simring

Lights: Chris Steckel

Scenic Design: Anita Simony de-Adelsberg

Choreography: Sean Crosby

At Cell Theater

LAST CALL FOR BABE REILLY Is an enchanting, funny and original little fairy tale of a play

about death, dying and being interviewed if you pass the test and can be admitted into the the gardens of

heaven. There is a gatekeeper (wonderfully animated Zoe Watkins) asking questions like if Babe Reilly(Marvellous John Keeting) was a kind person? Did he ever call his mother? was he nice to his neighbors? Then there is Babe's guardian angel Jasper (John Charles Mclanghin)  who is missing one of his wings and hoping that Babe Reilly will pass the test and enter the heavenly heaven so he can get his extra wing but alas Babe is not allowed in heaven this time and in a state of confusion somehow ends up in Penny's room. Penny( Nicole Borbone) lives all alone by herself, father is long gone, where is the mother? No idea, might be working very hard and has no time for Penny. Penny, a wonderful Nicole Borbone has no one but a very old cat and need Babe's help who happens to be her neighbor, youngerBabe played by( John Charles Mclanghin) who is very kind to Penny, plays guitar and sing songs and is Penny's only friend and savior.

Finally Babe Reilly is allowed in glorious heaven and every one is thrilled, The gatekeeper keeps her job, Jasper get his wing, Babe is safe and comfortable and Penny is saved.

There is a saying which goes like this, "What happens at the very end is sometime the best thing for you."

At least this charming little play which lasts only for an hour but delight us throughout proves that. The whole cast is incredibly talented, John Keeting is a master of his craft, a star actor at Irish Rep with incredible looks and voice and great stage presence and Nicole Borbone, a wonder, charming, funny, smart and a very talented young actress, so is Zoe Watkins, goofy, sexy and a flirt. John Mclanghin in both roles also delights.

Who would think that one can be rejected to enter heaven after dying and then finally being given a second chance? Don't ever forget to be kind  to all, and call your mother regularly. You might get lucky as well.

REVIEWED 

by

BINA SHARIF

ATCA

Editor/Publisher:artsinternational.blogspot.com

Email:binashariff@gmail.com

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"HERSELF" By: Tim McGillicuddy: At Goural theater: Part of Origin's Ist Irish Festival

"HERSELF"  By: Tim McGillicuddy:  At Goural theater: part of Origin's Ist Irish Festival;          Directed by Hamilton Clancy

Scene Design: Rebecca Lord Surrat; Light/Sound: Eric Nightengale; Costumes: Lisa Renee Jordan

"HERSELF"  A  World preimere, Produced by the drilling company, authored by Tim McGillicuddy is about a family story which has also effected the community and their social life. The story is about guilt, remorse, anger, shame, rumors and lots of serious gossip without many answers.

It takes place in a pub at the harbor sight in Gallway. Pub was owned by Jim Hays, co-owned by Peddy (Drew Vallins) Jim who was an alcholic and now deceased has left the pub for her sister Mureen (Kathleen Simmonds) who has come back from New York. She escaped to NY to suppress her dark memories of dysfunctional family and the father who was a tyrant and still is. Mureen is livid  still with her father and has never forgiven her father for mistreating her mother who is also deceased and her memory suffers from false rumors of perhaps having an affair with a parish priest which is a hot topic of gossip in the community which terribly effected jim.

This kind of scenario of a very prominent and wealthy family which has a lot of influence in  that town has left half baked rumors of impropriety which won't go away. Martin, the father brilliantly played by Hamilton Clancy. With incredible force, confidence and raging energy. He declares that he would rather built a shopping mall instead of his daugther keeping and repairing the old pub with the rotten pipes and floors. Mureen is also his father's daughter, ferocious Kathleen Simmonds dressed in a sytlish black designer's dress and an expensive rain court and high heels is livid and accuses her father about his maltreatment towards Jim and her mother. Hamilton Clancy doesn't give up, after all he is a billionaire and what do the billioners do? Build shopping malls...Wonderfully powerful scenes between the raging father and a very angry daughter.

The pub is frequented by the regulars, Peddy ( Drew Valins) who is also a bartender is a very nice peace loving person who likes to resolve every one's conflicts in a calm manner. There is Mary (Una Clancy) who is the town's gossip mongerer and knows all the secrets of every one as if she was an invisible presence at all occasions in every one's life. Una Clancy gives a stunning performance at once serious and hilarious.

Then there is Jane (Natalie Smith) pregnant girl friend of late Jim constantly consoled and loved by Maureen. Mureen has some kind of fetish of kissing the young Parrish Priest, father Michael (Skyler Gallun) who also is attracted towards Maureen and eventually goes for a confession. Of course this is an Irish play, a brilliant one on top of it full of the regular stuff, the pub, the lager, regulars, the gossip and rumors of all kinds with lot of dark humor, balm to the soul of Ireland.

The whole cast is absolutely brilliant. Kathleen Simmond, multi talented Hamilton Clancy, the director/artistic director of Drilling company theater and a powerful presence as an actor are scene stealers. Aiden (Patrick Hart) a handsome young fellow with a beautiful voice is also a heart breaker.At the end there is a surprise.

I throughly enjoyed this play as I enjoy most of the Origin's Ist festival's productions. I actually wait and wait for it's arrival. This year I haven't seen everything because I wasn't around but this is my usual experience.

Whenever I see a production of Origin's Ist show, I say to myself, "Oh! this one is the best" like recently I saw KING and was blown away, then I saw a sweet play brilliantly acted, "BUMBLED" and I said to myself, "Oh!  This one is the best and now, "HERSELF" and I declared to myself, "Oh! dear, this one is the best." I have come to a conclusion that almost every show, every reading, every event in this amazing festival is equally superb.

REVIEWED by

BINA SHARIF

ATCA

Editor/Publisher:artsinternationl.blogspot.com

email:binashariff@gmail.com

cell:212 260-6207

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BUMBLED: Part of Origin I st Irish Festival At NY Irish Center

         
                                      Tir Na Theatre presens Bumbled at New York Irish Center                                            

                                                      "Bumbled", written by Bernard McMullan.                                                                 Directed by: Carmel O' Reilly; Performed by Colin Hamell

At the NY Irish center Carmel O'Reilly offers up a stingingly (pun-intended) directed presentation

of a skillfully acted one man performance thanks to the fine, energetic actor Colin Hamell in "Bumbled".

"Bumbled", over one hour plus minutes, give the audience a buzzingly (Pun-intended) smart look at the

 behavior of bees, drones, workers and the queen herself.

Deftly written by Bernard McMullan, "Bumbled" gives us a tour of ourselves. As the bumbled bee

actor Colin Hamell who is dressed just like a bee himself take us on a tour of warning about life.

He first dances up a wiggly-backside jig when the show begin and after a time of humerous tugging

settles furthur into more serious reflections, the plight of bee species itself which seem to have dwindled

world wide over the past many years. Why? How? Is it the canary inside nature's mine- are we being

 warned as a human species?

'Bumbled" is smart. apt reflection in lots of ways making it more than just a spoonful of honey.

Colin Hamell is blessed with the ability of  doing all kinds of accents and display his huge talent full of 

  humor and empathy while narrating the international bee festival in Ireland. He is so incredibly funny

    that the audience on first night of his performance were roaring throug out with  sudden bursts of

    laughter.

A brilliant and extremely enjoyable performance, well directed and well lit.

Run to catch the remaining performances. It's great fun to watch the talented Colin Hamell.

Reviewed by

BINA SHARIF

ATCA 

Editor/Publisher:artsinternational.blogspot.com

email:binashariff@gmail.com

cell:212-260-6207

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Fishamble: The new Play Company presents KING at 59E59

 Fishamble: The New Play Company presents: Origin I st Irish Festival

"KING" at 59E59

Written and Performed byPat Kinevane

Directed by Jim Culleton.              Lighting design: Pius McGrath  Choreographers: Kristina Chaloir and Julian Brigatti                                                                       

In a dim and shadowy room appears a mesmerizing figure who is totally absorbed doing Tango and

wrapped around his troubled memories of the past, of his father, his school days and of his cherished grandmother. His grandmother named him Luther after Martin Luther King who was her hero.

His grand mother used to tell him," that the pain and oppression of the Irish and black people is the samebut now we are free."

Luther is very bitter about the history of Ireland and the occupation and maltreatment by the British.

It also makes him think how like Ireland he had been mistreated and abused many times by many

people and circumstanes but he keeps doing his Tango and keep dancing. Keep seeing light in the dark.

He is hopeful and is getting ready for a big night full of fun, dancing and of bright light of hope and

 promise.

His mind races and struggles with his past memories in a stream of consciousness manner which

combines incredible sadness and humor.

He often relates to the audience in a very intimate manner making believe as if they are part of the show.

I loved that sense of intimacy.

But his sharp humor and his Tango is the saving grace for his non-stop racing stream of memories and

wonder.  At one point he says, "I am mad but people who claim they are not mad are lethal."

It's mysteriously vague if he had been in mental institution some time ago and now recalling the time in 

a ward, the nurse and his difficult thought process like water flowing and not flowing at the same time.

But now he lives alone in a single room by himself and his present occupation is overflowing memories

 entangled in his most favorite occupation whic is the Tango and Pat Kinevane can do that Tango in a

fast and furious manner lit by beautiful and ominous and haunting lights by Pius Magrath.

It's the best lighting design particularly for this show, enhanced by the voice of Tango instructor, Jose

 Miguel Jimenez.

Pat Kinevane is an extremely versatile performer with booming voice which has a lot of range all

the way from a scary shout to a melodiously soft whisper which takes your breath away. He is

 agile, dramatic and stunningly captivating.

It's another fantastic production by the most wonderful Fishamble.

There are more fascinating plays in this amazing festival, Origin's 1st Irish festival is one of the best theater festival in NYC right now, The plays and readings are happening at many venues such as Cell theater, Irish arts center Ny Irish arts center in Queens, Irish historical society, 59E59 st and lasting till April 29. Plays are from Ireland as well by local Irish American playwrights/directors/muscians.

It's my most favorite theater festival and I am always excited for it's arrival and have been covering it for the last couple of years and it's such a delight to encounter the poetry and music and passion and humor and many other jewels and gems in such marvelous work of art. Don't miss it, still one more week left for you to treat yourselves.

Reviewed

by

BINA SHARIF

ATCA

Editor/Publisher:artsinernational.blogspot.com

email:binashariff@gmail.com

Cell:212-260-6207

Facebook, Instgarm.

This review is also posted on www.facebook.com/hidramas

THE LOOK OF LOVE AT BAM

 "THE LOOK OF LOVE" at BAM

An Evening of Dance to the Music of Burt Bacharach

Choregraphy by Mark Morris

Mark Morris Dance Group and Music Ensemble

Lighting Design by Nicole Pearce.

Costume Design by Isaac Mizrahi

THE LOOK OF LOVE

A full enthsiastic house happily witnessed a choriographic musical medley of Bacharach's excellence.

Marcy Harriell's powerful and melodious singing elevated the retro songs such as, "Do You Know The

 Way to San Hose" "Rain Drops Keep Falling On My Head, "What The World Needs Now" by way

of her soaring magical voice. Her Stupendous singing is a superb interpretation of Hal David's lyrics.

The movements of colorful, playful and highly energetic dancer choreographed by the most brilliant

Mark Morris that accompanied each song skillfully and gracefully reflected the idea of each one.

The dance is set to the enthralling songs by the legendary Bacharach with new arrangements by

Ethan Iverson and it's a perfect match.

Morris uses these songs which adds pure joy of feeling of love. The whole dance is about love, love

 found, love's incredible heat and energy which also fades at times into cold rain, again seeking the

 warmth of love. Love is the thing which matters in this marvelous combination of love songs and the

 dancers incorporating the feel of love in their arms, knees, long legs and rhytmic movements.

Lovers come together, they embrace, they part, they move away, they find new lovers, they carry folding

 chairs, create a new area for new love,  play withe colorful cushions as if they were their intimate

 companions, a source of love and comfort and surprising heart break some times but the flow of love

 continue to sooth the senses and the colorful costumes of orange, red, purple, light olive green, and

 yellow by Isaac Mizrahi add so much to the feel of love that one almost want to fall in love with some

 one in that auditorium.

The beautiful lighting design by Nicole Pearce is effective and matters a lot in The Look Of Love.

All the songs were delicious but I loved, "Walk By" Just a walking dance was amazing, the walk on

 some road might take you to many optimistic choices, one might be the pursuit of love?

And I also throughly enjoyed, "Rain Drops Keep Falling On My Head." Dancers danced like the rain

 drops of water with their arms raised and their palms up as if they were trying to catch a few drops and

 all of a sudden the lightining flashes surprise them with some unexpected anguish.

"The Look Of Love" is a marvel.

Reviewed by Bina Sharif

Editor/publisher:artsinternational.blogspot.com

Member of ATCA

email:binashariff@gmail.com

Cell:212-260-6207

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