Sunday afternoon’s performance of Stephen Sondheim’s “Company” at the Grace Lutheran Church (103-15 Union Tpke) represented a different look at the venerable institution of marriage. The Parkside Players were paired as couples with various reasons to be married. Or not.
Poor Bobby (Nick Radu) is the only bachelor in this nest of lovebirds. They have come to surprise him for his 35th birthday, but before the evening has ended our opinions of everyone will have changed. Not necessarily for the better.
Let’s take a closer look. Slightly built Sarah (Shana Aborn) has taken up karate. She promptly floors her husband Harry (Steven Callahan) in two out of three falls. When not competing physically, they are competing in head games. Sarah doesn’t help Harry stay off drinking while Harry tempts his perpetually dieting wife with visions of chocolate brownies.
Southerner Susan (Heather Meagher) loves her devoted husband, Peter (Peter Sullivan). Except the only way they enjoy their marital bliss is by divorcing. Oh, Peter turns out to have an eye for the guys, not just the gals.
Jenni (Terri Mattasov) and her man David (Timothy Paul Robinson) prove that opposites attract when straight laced Jenni tries a funny smelling smoke from David.
What about wide eyed, bright smiled Amy (Alicia Brosky)? She can’t get married; she mustn’t get married to Paul (Ian McDonald). After all, he’s easy going, hard working, and unusually compassionate. Oh, he isn’t the same religious persuasion. Will love conquer all?
My personal favorite is Valerie Keane as jaded Joanne. She’s filthy rich and filthy minded. Her long suffering mate Larry (Nelson Rocha) knows all about Joanne’s escapes from boredom but looks the other way.
So, in the end it boils down to swinging single Robert’s three beautiful flings– fiery redheaded Marta (Susan Erenberg), beautiful blonde Kathy (Alison Schwab) and not too bright but stunning stewardess April (Nili Resnick). As you might expect, these pairings are just as empty as his friend’s relationships.
In the end, what’s better?- a life sentence of co-habitation or cocktails for one?
Anyway, kudos to director Ray Bonett and Music Director Richard Louis-Pierre who leads his orchestra for Sondheim’s “You Could Drive a Person Crazy”, “Another Hundred People”, “Side by Side by Side”, “The Ladies Who Lunch” and more.
Call (718) 497-4922 for tix.
Phoenix Players’ “Getting and Spending”
The Phoenix Players have never pandered to the crowds with schlock claptrap. Every season’s production is crisp, clever, emotional and thought provoking. Their current performance, “Getting and Spending” by Michael J. Chepiga is typical of that philosophy. Director Ben Fabrizi and Producer Anna Wolf maintain this high level of commitment to excellence.
On opening night, an unexpected surprise brightened the event. The playwright and his family attended. They were greeted by fine acting from one of the troupe’s founding fathers Bob Combe as attorney/Franciscan monk Richard. His Delilah was conniving, manipulative and beautiful corporate crook Aimee Hiltz as Victoria Phillips.
A partly endearing and partly terrifying pair of friars; Brother Thaddeus (Johnny Dee Damato) and Brother Alfred (Frank Freeman) are mirrors of good and evil, providing humor and needed injections of reality throughout the evening.
Unrequited cell phone slinging suitor Charles (Dylan Halaszynski), the long suffering mother Mary (Emily Garrick) and prosecuting barracuda Elizabeth (Amanda Lightner) help to round out the strong supporting cast.
Yes, catch their final weekend at the Landmark Poppenhusen Institute at 114-04 14th Rd in College Point by calling for tix at (516) 678-0016. Then CAST YOUR BALLOT for the Phoenix Players who are registered with the NY Innovative Theatre Awards for off-off Broadway productions. Surf to www.nyitawards.com and VOTE.
I look forward to their next production. As always, save me a seat on the aisle.
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