New Work | The Hanslick Girls

February 25, 2019

The World On Fire: Haven Theatre’s “The Total Bent”

Compared to the raucous live performances throughout the evening, Dania couldn’t help but feel the slightest tinge of letdown when the pre-recorded 1960s hits came through the speakers as the house lights rose. She longed for a version of the songs with the same raw power as the songs in The Total Bent had possessed –– but admitted to herself that perhaps that was impossible to capture on record.

“What a gutpunch,” Dania said, glancing up to the illuminated cross at centerstage. Around the stage, musicians were just packing up their instruments, scattered around the stage. Only the two keyboard players –– Frederick Harris and Jermaine Hill –– were listed as members of the cast, but it has been difficult to divorce the remaining quartet of band members from the narrative.

November 13, 2018

Book By Its Cover: Broken Nose Theatre’s “Plainclothes”

“What is this new trend of plays with projected title cards?” Dania asked, pointing at the projected footage of Chicago. Moments before the bows, the words “THE END” had flashed onto the screen –– complimenting the projected “PLAINCLOTHES” that had followed the first scene in the play.

“Is it a trend?” Gwen asked. “In The Canyon did that, but I can’t think of another.”

“Indecent had a title projection. So did Hir last summer.”

“I believe Indecent‘s projections are in the script.”

October 8, 2018

Across Two Worlds: Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s “Manahatta”

“Well, I don’t know exactly what I expected,” Eleanor began, as they walked out of the Thomas Theatre, and back into the courtyard of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. “I guess I thought it would be preachier.”

“It’s still sorta preachy,” Dania contended. “In that it has a message.”

“If that’s your bar for ‘preachy,'” Gwen replied, with a motion back towards the theater, “then any play with a message could be described that way.”

September 10, 2018

Drilling Down: The House Theatre of Chicago’s “Borealis”

“Is it always so…close like that?”

Dania indicated her feet, still tucked up under her chair after the set had been constructed mere inches from her.

“Usually,” Gwen said. “I believe every show I’ve seen at The House is arranged into alley seating, or in the round. They want the audience to feel like part of the action.”

“Well, I was definitely almost kicked in the face.”

“They rehearse so that doesn’t happen,” Gwen added. “Surely.”

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