I think many directors salivate at the idea of reworking their theater pieces despite knowing it is a double-edged sword. As a production runs, actors’ discoveries, relationships and the merging of tech solidifies, creating a slew of nuance that can be explored and expanded. However, that evolution could result in the production feeling overworked to […]
Tiggerbouncer Custodio
Posted inArts + Scene
Mystery and Mirth
The Game’s Afoot If local theater awards existed, North Coast Repertory Theatre’s last production of the season, The Game’s Afoot, would be nominated for several coveted (and imagined) Woody awards. With ugly Christmas sweaters, oversized magnifying glasses and half-in-the-bag smiles smattering the audience, the production is lively, spirited and fun. Despite my having one of […]
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Silence and Depth
Voices of a Silent Stage After an absurd week, Cal Poly Humboldt’s production of Voices of a Silent Stage is food for a tired soul. The dichotomy of the entire piece creates the perfect balance of levity and depth, joy and mourning. It is a show where empty space feels full, so much is said […]
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NCRT’s Sweeney Todd Stays Sharp
Sometimes the uncanny ability that live theater has to evoke jouissance is more a product of the audience than the production. On the night I attended North Coast Repertory Theatre’s Sweeney Todd at the 5th and D Street Theatre, people clutching flowers waiting to reward months of their friend’s commitment to the show, new-to-theater locals […]
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Blithe Spirit‘s Cast Brings the Comedy to Life
Conflicting production designs are not enough to hinder interesting directorial choices and strong acting in Ferndale Repertory Theatre’s new production of Noel Coward’s classic Blithe Spirit. Originally a British farce in three acts, director Merrick D. Yra removes an act, relocates the show to America, mutes the setting to gray and sepia tones, and plays […]
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Raised Stakes at The Prom
As giggling teens heckled, “You’re GAY. We’re all GAY,” from an open second-story window, echoing off the buildings of downtown Ferndale, and an unfortunate side street detour led us to a church marquee reading, “Ferndale Reps The Prom is Anti Christ and Pro LGBTQ,” the importance of playing stakes in theater productions was solidified. Stakes […]
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A New Brain‘s Snappy Synapses
Director, actor, choreographer and wicked talent Alex Blouin let the new Redwood Curtain production of A New Brain marinate for years. Her persistence and ambition in getting this charming musical produced by Redwood Curtain Theatre finally comes to fruition in a spectacular way at 5th and D Street Theater. With star-studded local theater familiars, beautiful stage […]
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Albee at the EXIT
I have never liked Edward Albee’s The American Dream, not as a part of my script analysis classes, nor in the multiple productions that I’ve seen performed. I find it to be shrouded with intellectual commentary and unfollowable simile that leaves the audience wondering what the hell is actually happening. Yet, I am still drawn […]
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First Rate Twelfth Night
The sight of someone smoking a cigarette in costume is shocking to those of us who have been conditioned by every stage manager — some even threatening our lives should we disobey. My shock faded when I found out the man I saw outside the theater was not an actor, but 5th and D Street Theater’s […]
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Second Acts
The journey to try to find the Exit Theatre (890 G St., Arcata) is guided by a mischievous Google Maps and skeptical townspeople convinced we bought tickets online to a San Francisco theater by mistake. But Arcata’s newest theater venue exists, marked by a lone banner adorning the wall of the G Street side of […]
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Peter and the Starcatcher Shines at FRT
I wish more than a handful of people could have seen Jessie Gelormino as one of the best Cosettes I’ve had the pleasure to witness in Les Misérables. Her performance was inspiring, professional and sweet, but only performed in a rehearsal for understudies (as she was) to practice main roles should an actor not be able to […]
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The Life of Galileo in Epic Style
If one were to stage a Brechtian version of Forrest Gump, Tom Hanks would look directly into the camera and relinquish any evidence of his character to deliver the line, “Life is like a box of chocolates ….” There would be montages, live versions of the movie’s soundtrack and images of Trump with audio overlay […]