By Ron Levitt
Florida Media News
ENV Magazine

MANALAPAN, FL — Florida Stage, which has found its place in the sun by presenting thought-provoking new plays, has done it again! This time, it’s an 85-minute extra-ordinary, intellectually-stimulating production about three smart, tortured souls who seemingly beg for acceptance.

The Storytelling Ability of a Boy by educator Carter W. Lewis is the latest play by the prolific , prize-winning playwright who has introduced several of his works at Florida Stage, including the highly successful Ordinary Nation two years ago.

This time Carter – thanks to the astute and sensitive direction of Louis Tyrrell and an eerie but effective use of sound by technical guru Matt Kelly – introduces his audience to three people (one teacher and two students) who are struggling to “ft in.” The trio, for different reasons, can’t seem to find their place in the social setting of a rural school and their loneliness and misunderstanding trigger a drama filled with violence, sexual confusion and fury.
Seeking acceptance – yet, making it difficult to engage others in their lives – are the teacher Caitlan(Laura Carbonell) and her students: Peck (Marshall Pailet), a brilliant and imaginative writer, and Dora (Bethany Anne Lind), his intellectual sparring partner and best friend. The two students seem too resent the implication that there are things they don’t understand and they release temperament and attitude that can only lead to disaster.

It is easy to give praise to any production which makes its audience think! “Storytelling” is that kind of play. It forces you to ask yourself if you ever knew any young people like these – kids who are far ahead of the ordinary students in many ways intellectually, but who may seems dysfunctional to the crowd or at least misunderstood individuals.

But, this play – as stimulating as it is mentally — is especially notable because of the acting skills of the three performers. And, one will find it difficult not to laud the acting prowess of this trio in making this production so intriguing.

Carbonell is realistic as the teacher trying to nurture her talented nerdy, teenage student. Pailet – as the student with a gift of storytelling well beyond his age and experience — is totally believable in a stunning acting rendition, and the charming Lind – whether mouthing foul-mouthed four-letter words or expressing doubts about her sexuality – uses Carter’s colorful script and language skills to emerge as a star with a bright future on stage. All three are credible New York-based actors who are leaving an indelible mark on South Florida theatre. One cannot help but praise this acting trio for making “Storytelling” so mind-bending. Their acting skills are three indelible and compelling reasons to see this production!
This production runs through January 17. Call 561-585-3433 or visit www.floridastage.org.

By Ron Levitt

Florida Media News
ENV Magazine

CORAL GABLES, FL – It seems as if GableStage’s brilliant director Joseph Adler has collected a bunch of the bright young South Florida acting talent on one stage, melded them with three terrific veteran performers, found a stimulating play about politics and turned the mixture into one of the area’s best 2009 productions.

The only criticism one might have of Farrragut North is the timing of this production about American fast lane political shenanigans. What a coup it would have been to bring this play onstage in the midst of an election year. However, if you are nostalgic for election coverage or a political junkie who thrives on what is going on inside campaigns, Farragut North will be your quick fix, just as it was for New York audiences who received it as a post-election triumph back in 2008.

Written by a knowledgeable political operative Beau Williams, Farragut North (named as homage to the busy Washington D.C. ineighborhood where lobbyists hang out) ) seems to have been scripted as if the playwright had been taking notes on the campaign trail. Actually. Williams was a media expert to several Democratic candidates in recent years. This play is a judicious look at what goes on behind the scenes in the national political arena. Suffice it to say, it rings with the same political reality and fresh accuracy of The Best Man, the stunning play by Gore Vidal which came out in 1960. This is obviously the best play with a political theme since that time.

It’s set against the backdrop of a presidential primary when a young press staffer (Nick Duckhart ) – wise beyond his 25 year chronological age – teams up with a veteran campaign guru Paul (the award-winning, always on target Gregg Weiner ). They are certain that their shrewd manipulation can steer them – with their charismatic candidate – directly into the White House. But, that lust for power is thwarted by a veteran operative of another candidiate (Robert Strain) and a seductive intern (a lovely Betsy Graver ). Then, of course, there is a New York Times journalist ( a terrific Deborah Sherman ) who manipulates politicians and is manipulated in return, That synopsis may be a bit short on its overall content, but that storyline – peppered with its inside look at campaign tactics and the playwright’s sharp, keen, bright script — just about tells it all. Farragut North is timely, interesting and a delight to those who find intrigue or drama in electioneering or ever have been involved in supporting a political candidate,

Artistic chief Adler has put together a fresh and exciting cast. Several members of the cast are fairly recent graduates of the New World School of the Arts (Duckhart, Graver, David Hemphill and David Sirois). Duckhart is on stage almost constantly and his portrayal may well be a break out performance for the young actor. He is so real, so charismatic, that he is totally believable as the young staffer hoping to take himself into the West Wing. Duckhart only recently wowed audiences at Boca’s Caldwell in “The Whipping Man” and in “Torture” at Mosaic – and with this performance in “Farragut” firmly establishes his credentials

And, wait until you meet Graver, who dominates the scene as the sexually assertive intern who takes on supposedly clever politicos. She is stunning! And the two Davids –Hemphill and Sirois — both of whom have supporting roles in this two-hour delight but are in awe of working with this director — could sit well as stars in their own right, a nod to the perfect casting by Adler, the most revered Carbonell winning chieftain in South Florida. Hemphill and Graver recently got glowing notices in “The Glass Menagerie”at Broward Stage Door and Sirois, an accomplished playwright and actor, added praiseworthy news clippings for his starring role in Sexual Perversity in Chicago, a David Mamet play at the Alliance Theatre Lab in Miami Lakes.

Of course, veteran performers such as the soft-spoken but dynamic Gregg Weiner — coupled with Deborah Sherman and Robert Strain – cannot be over looked, even when we praise the newer set of actors. Again, it is perfect casting!

The usual suspects – Sean McCllelland for his managable sets, Jeff Quinn for his lighting and Matt Corey for sound technique — add to the luster of this winning production.

There are all sorts of verifiable news items floating around about the future of this play. The latest one is that Actor George Clooney will take on the filming of Farragut North in 2010, with himself in the director’s chair and Leonardo DiCaprio in the starring role. If so, he probably should consider making Adler his advisor- sidekick to keep it in the “ movie powerhouse” department and consider a trip here within the next few weeks to see how a capable, energetic group of actors make this story so eye-worthy. Such a visit may be an education in professional theatre at its best.

Farrragut North runs through January 24. Call 305 445-1119 for tickets now. Tickets for this show could be in hot demand. You won’t want to miss it.

By Ron Levitt

Florida Media News
ENV Magazine

CORAL GABLES, FL — The theme for most holiday shows, whether on stage or in the movies (such as A Christmas Carol or Miracle on 34th Street ), is “redemption.” But, the most redeeming quality of the musical Another Night Before Christmas – currently ringing in the festive season at Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre here is the acting and vocalizing of its two stars – Irene Adjan and Ken Clement.

The two-some of Adjan and Clement are reason enough to celebrate the holidays in Coral Gables. Adjan’s vocal range seems to reverberate throughout the town. She charms as a disillusioned social worker, waiting to get the spirit of Christmas back in her life, and Clement is a comic hurricane, thundering through another story about Santa coming to the rescue.

Directed by David Arisco, who usually provides South Floridians with giant casts, amazing scenic effects and lavish production numbers, Another Night Before Christmas seems to be tied to the economic mess of 2009 – just two actors, yet a surprisingly innovative set by Gene Seyfer, a single piano providing the music (as always well done by Musical Chief David Nagy) and a ho-ho-hum of a story by Sean Grennan and Leah Okimoto, the talented creators of Married ALIVE! which had a successful run earlier at Actors’ Playhouse. But, leave believability at the curb because this is strictly a joyful, holiday fantasy……fun…cuteness…. sentimental appeal — a story with heart…..a combination of all the holiday tales you’ve seen or heard while growing up. Sure. the script seems all too familiar, but one would have to be a Scrooge to dismiss this pleasurable production! And, there is no reason not to bring the kids along for this holiday ride!

But, the main reason to see Another Night Before Christmas is to catch the duet of Adjan and Clement interact and sing. They are two of the area’s most visible and award-winning duos and they seem imbued with the kind of spirit that the holiday season should be all about!

Karol Elliot (Adjan) is a kind, young lady who seals herself off from the world on Christmas Eve. She doesn’t even pick up her phone when her family or ex boyfriend calls. A man—called The Guy — (Clement) breaks into her apartment and goes from being an unwanted intruder to a welcome guest, with amazing powers such as knowing when a phone will ring and who is on the line. This “homeless man” proves to be more than the heroine first believes. And, thus we have the makings of a schmaltzy look at a woman who is redeemed – thanks to Santa and the holiday spirit.

Yes, the plot is transparent. But, who cares? It’s all about feeling good!

The music is adequate although not the kind which you will be humming as you leave the theatre. Actually, the final number – Please Send Me Christmas – has powerful lyrics and when Clement sings Believe In Me, you get the feeling this show may be sending a worthy message to those who have become “too adult” to really get the spirit of the holidays. In fact, the lyrics by Grennan generally stand out – thanks again by the delivery of the two stars.

This show runs through Dec. 27 but not on Christmas Eve. Spend that time with those you love or watching Jimmy Stewart on TV in It’s a Wonderful Life. But first, call 305 444-9293 for tickets at Actors’ Playhouse.