Gloucester | The Sleepless Critic

REVIEW: Gloucester Stage Company’s ‘Ms. Holmes and Ms. Watson – Apt 2B’ a puzzling comedy

Posted on September 27 by The Sleepless Critic

Sherlock has always had its passing comical moments.

Though considered a mystery-crime drama, Sherlock Holmes has delved into quirky territory featuring an eccentric lead in Sherlock Homes and his various idiosyncrasies. Holmes is a deductive and egocentric genius who considers emotion irrelevant and crosses paths with Dr. Watson who is reasonable, but also carries emotional weight in various situations. They are both brilliant in their own way and together, a force to be reckoned with.

Gloucester Stage Company’s production of Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson – Apt. 2B, by playwright Kate Hamill in Gloucester, MA. The production is directed by Rebecca Bradshaw, and stars Erin O’Sullivan and Ms. Sherlock Holmes; Breezy Leigh as Dr. Joan Watson; Stephen Shore as Inspector Lestrade, Elliot Monk, and Others; and Grace Experience as Irene Adler, Mrs. Hudson, and Others. © 2025 Shawn G. Henry • 978-590-4869 GSC-250903-Holmes+Watson_351

Directed by Rebecca Bradshaw, Gloucester Stage Company continues Kate Hamill’s comedic murder mystery spoof Ms. Holmes and Ms. Watson – Apt 2b live and in person at Gloucester Stage Company in Gloucester, Massachusetts through Saturday, September 27. This wild production features adult humor and is a lengthy two hours and 15 minutes with a 15 minute intermission. Click here for more information and for tickets.

Based on numerous stories and four novels by Sir Author Conan Doyle, the legend of Sherlock Holmes has been adapted many times which includes satire and parodies, but this classic tale tends to be at its best through its thrilling, haunting and suspenseful moments as the mystery unfolds. That is when I think Ms. Holmes and Ms. Watson – Apt 2B is also at its best.

Set in London in the spring of 2021, Stephen Shore performs multiple roles including a chilling Narrator. As Shore’s face illuminates in an eerie glow while Shore’s charismatic and elegant vocals start to reveal the tale, I was excited for what was in store. Shore is a talented and charismatic presence standing out in this production.

However, even with its scattered suspenseful moments, this production is mostly a quirky pop cultured peppered comedy where freelance detective Sherlock meets Dr. Watson in the contemporary world to solve a mystery.

Kristin Loeffler’s sliding set boasts that classic Sherlock fireplace with twin bookcases, skeleton and wooden doors illuminated by Deb Sullivan’s evocative and ghastly red lighting as well as Julian Crocamo’s ticking and classical sound design.

I appreciated the dynamic between Breezy Leigh as excitable and frank New Yorker Ms. Watson who seems firmly planted in the contemporary world while aside from new age meditation and vaping, Eryn O’Sullivan’s Sherlock seems in every other way from the past rebuffing technology and relying solely on the mind and the written word for everything. O’Sullivan brings an over the top cryptically calm detachment, frequent disdain and pretension while Dr. Watson is so excitable and squeamish, it became difficult to believe that Ms. Watson was ever a level headed doctor.

The production delivers major characters from the classic Sherlock novels featuring some enviable costume selections by Chelsea Kerl, especially displayed in Grace Experience’s red velvet suit and fabulous bejeweled shoes. Portraying multiple roles, Grace Experience zings from a peculiar cockney-accented housekeeper to a bold and clever seductress while having a great time in each swift transformation.

However, I still longed for more thrills and less clutter. Ms. Holmes and Ms. Watson Apt. 2b feature a murder mystery, but comedy is king in this production and among so many comedic distractions, it became difficult to get invested in the mystery. While it has some self aware humor and creative silliness in a certain train scene, it seems to meander too often without striking a real balance between humor and suspense. As a fan of Kate Hamill’s great work most recently in The Odyssey and Austen’s Emma, I was just longing for something more.

Gloucester Stage Company continues Kate Hamill’s comedic murder mystery Ms. Holmes and Ms. Watson – Apt 2b live and in person at Gloucester Stage Company in Gloucester, Massachusetts through Saturday, September 27. Click here for more information and for tickets.

REVIEW: Teaching and learning through adversity in Gloucester Stage’s impactful ‘No Child’

Posted on August 20 by The Sleepless Critic

“If you can read this, thank a teacher.”

An American proverb like this speaks volumes about teaching being the very foundation of most everything in life. Without the inspiring art of teaching, the world would be a very different place.

To think some people know they are born to teach and through it all, they do just that.

Beautifully directed by Pascale Florestal, Gloucester Stage continues Nilaja Sun’s semi-autobiographical No Child, a one person production continuing live and in person at Gloucester Stage Company in Gloucester, Massachusetts through Saturday, August 23. This insightful play within a play within a play contains strong language and runs 75 minutes with no intermission. Click here for more information and for tickets.

Valyn Lyric Turner in Gloucester Stage’s ‘No Child’ Photo credit: Jason Grow Photographer

The poorest congressional district in the nation is within the Bronx. One teacher embarks on a dubious journey to teach 27 tenth graders and quickly wonders if she may be in over her head. Valyn Lyric Turner, starring in this one person production, takes on this insurmountable challenge and rises to the challenge with grace, wit, humor, and integrity.

Narrated by Turner as Custodian Baron with a twinkle in her eye, Turner embodies a wide range of animated characters from youthful to the elderly in innovative and brilliant ways capturing distinct mannerisms, posture, tics, accents, diction as well as various expressions and languages. In a performance that might have come off bumpy and awkward, Turner’s shrewd solo performance is engaging and lively with each character uniquely and astutely personified through smooth and fascinating transitions.

Turner as Janitor Baron speaks directly to the audience with sage musings and historical knowledge of the Bronx school Baron has cleaned since 1958 while sharing the story of aspiring theatre teacher Miss Sun. In a tailored shirt and dark pants, Jose, Miss Sun, Jerome, Miss Kennedy, Miss Tam, Chris, and Janitor Baron are only a small portion of the dynamic characters Turner masterfully delivers in swift succession with finesse and unmitigated charm. Not only exacting accents from southern to Jamaican at times within the same breath, but taking it one step further by occasionally correcting pronunciations in character from one character to another. It is extraordinary to see Turner accomplish this amazing solo acting feat within this inspiring and absorbing tale.

Hazy windows, a weathered light fixture, an uncovered beige radiator and a water stained linoleum floor punctuated by two red steel classroom chairs at center stage detail Christina Todesco’s intricate scenic design. Sound designer Jacques Matellus conveys the production’s surroundings through the show’s atmospheric sound design which includes a metal detector, a moving train and the authentic sounding class bell.

One of the many highlights of this production is it radiates not only what it is like to be a teacher in a challenging classroom, but unveils a number of significant perspectives including, as Custodian Baron states, what these “academically challenged” students are like facing fears, apprehension, frustration, lowered expectations and for some, an embattled home life.

A humorous, timely, poignant, educational and inspiring journey, No Child remarkably explores the distractions, sacrifices and challenges that even the most patient teachers face and the power of every victory in the classroom and beyond.

Gloucester Stage continues Nilaja Sun’s semi-autobiographical No Child, a one person production continuing live and in person at Gloucester Stage Company in Gloucester, Massachusetts through Saturday, August 23. Click here for more information and for tickets.

REVIEW: Gloucester Stage Company’s ‘The Garbologists’ is a treasure

Posted on July 23 by The Sleepless Critic

Leave it to two strong leads to make trash an intriguing subject, especially when it is linked to tales of the heart.

Keenly directed by Rebecca Bradshaw, Gloucester Stage Company continues the regional premiere of Lindsay Joelle’s dramedy, The Garbologists live and in person at Gloucester Stage Company in Gloucester, Massachusetts through Sunday, July 26. This two-hander production runs 92 minutes with no intermission and contains adult humor while offering some eye opening facts and a look into the physical demands working as a sanitation worker. Click here for more information and tickets.

Gloucester Stage Company’s production of The Garbologists by playwright Lindsay Joelle, in Gloucester, MA. The production is directed by Rebecca Bradshaw and stars Tomika Marie Bridwell as Marlowe and Paul Melendy as Danny. © 2025 Shawn G. Henry • 978-590-4869

Fueled by Julian Crocamo’s quirky and arresting sound design which clicks and integrates car horns, crackling glass, and Snow White’s ‘Heigh ho’ expression remixed to a thumping beat, The Garbologists delves into the lives of two seemingly different strangers placed together on ‘junior jack’ Marlowe’s first day of work.

Wearing a New York Rangers winter hat, veteran sanitation worker Danny, depicted with a thick New York accent and seemingly tough and sarcastic demeanor by Paul Melendy, is tasked with the job of training Thomika Marie Bridwell as newbie Marlowe. Outspoken, playful, street smart, and not above bending the rules, Danny is frank, casual and forward while serious and intellectual Marlowe is quiet and reluctant to share details into why she turned to this line of work. As they discover more about each other, their complicated and tumultuous relationship veers from ‘teach me’ to ‘don’t speak to me’ through small victories, misunderstandings, and growing tension as their time together progresses. They may also have something more to learn from each other than they realize.

A detour, one way and parking sign, bike lane, crosswalk, a Starbucks sign, fire hydrant and a stop light spread out on marked black pavement are included in Kristin Loeffler’s authentic thoroughfare setting while garbage bags are strewn to the side. Official high visibility and reflective jackets and orange gloves are just portion of Jen Greeke’s costuming which includes formal and work attire which offers glimpses into each individual’s personality. Taking place during a Manhattan winter, Anshuman Bhatia’s glaring and flashing lighting evokes a sense of solitude and loneliness in the early morning still cold air as Danny and Marlowe navigate in a steel garbage truck to their next stop.

Melendy and Bridwell share a fascinating camaraderie and sharp comedic timing which makes watching these opposites react to each other thoroughly enjoyable. Their aside looks, Danny’s prankster nature, and Marlowe’s intolerance for idle chatter make silences deafening and their banter and actions unpredictable. They are also two people trying to overcome their current situations in their search for happiness. Dealing with grief and family dysfunction, The Garbologists explores two people trying to overcome their current situations in search for happiness. The production contains its share of moving and poignant moments which broadens this pair’s depth and vulnerability as they deal with complex challenges in and out of work.

In this delicate and challenging time for New York sanitation workers, The Garbologists opens a world into a day in the life of a civil servant with talk of taxes, tips, what actually happens to garbage when you throw something away and just how dangerous and crucial in what can be an underappreciated line of work. At one point, Melendy’s Danny reflects, “There is a lot you can learn about a person by what they throw away” which is real food for thought.

Gloucester Stage Company continues the regional premiere of Lindsay Joelle’s dramedy, The Garbologists live and in person at Gloucester Stage Company in Gloucester, Massachusetts through Sunday, July 26. Click here for more information and tickets.

REVIEW: Vivid dreams of what could be in Gloucester Stage Company’s affecting ‘The Glass Menagerie’ by Tennessee Williams

Posted on June 18 by The Sleepless Critic

This is a memory play.

This description speaks volumes about legendary playwright Tennessee Williams’ autobiographical and deeply personal play, The Glass Menagerie. De’ Lon Grant serves as narrator, the protagonist Tom and perhaps Williams himself focusing on the dysfunctional Wingfield family, the delicate nature of life, and the hope of what the future holds. This memory play was the first of its kind and Tennessee dedicated it to his sister in real life.

De’Lon Grant in Gloucester Stage Company’s ‘The Glass Menagerie’ Photo by Shawn Henry

Exquisitely directed by Doug Lockwood, Gloucester Stage presents their 46^th anniversary summer season with Tennessee Williams’ classic drama The Glass Menagerie live and in person at Gloucester Stage Company in Gloucester, Massachusetts through June 28. The show runs two hours and 25 minutes including one 10 minute intermission. Click here for more information and for tickets.

Adrienne Krstansky and Liza Giangrande in Gloucester Stage Company’s ‘The Glass Menagerie’ Photo by Shawn Henry

There is a certain magic in The Glass Menagerie, even as dreams and reality collide. Taking place during the Great Depression in the 1940s, hope and illusion inhabit a cramped apartment in Saint Louis, Missouri even as dusty dining room chairs are uncovered in a dank room. Thin, translucent curtains, dining room chairs and a square of iridescent light shine in this space as De’lon Grant as Tom, Liza Giangrande as Laura, and Adrienne Krstansky as Amanda make themselves at home. Jenna McFarland Lord’s amazing set design infused with Aubrey Dube’s rich and crucial sound design is a breath of fresh air and holds a surprise which will not be revealed here.

Nia Safaar Banks successfully rewinds the clock to this vintage era with floral tea length dresses, wide brimmed hats, suspenders, and page boy hats. Amanda Fallon blends inviting and haunting illumination to this production which is often moody, veering from the evocative red flash of dancehalls to soft and luminous candlelight casting vivid shadows in the background.

Patrick O’Konis and De’lon Grant in Gloucester Stage Company’s ‘The Glass Menagerie’ Photo by Shawn Henry

In a long coat and brimmed hat, Grant weaves in and out of his dual role charismatically recalling Wingfield history and recollections while playing his part as Tom as the play unfolds. The Glass Menagerie’s small cast holds challenging and meaty characters steeped in deeply rooted flaws. Some of the family and societal issues that are brought up in Williams’ timeless work, The Glass Menagerie could have been written yesterday. Working as a workhouse shipping clerk, Tom has grander dreams and secretly struggles as the man of the house since his adored father left the family. Liza Giangrande portrays Tom’s helpful, quiet, anxious, sweet and imaginative sister Laura who has lived with a disability her entire life. Pretty and slight with delicately braided hair, Giangrande delivers a meaningful performance as Laura exuding quiet strength in this sympathetic character as she struggles between escaping the world and a longing to fit in.

Liza Giangrande and Patrick O’Konis in Gloucester Stage Company’s ‘The Glass Menagerie’ Photos by Shawn Henry

Patrick O’Konis is enchanting as Jim O’Connor who dreams of a life beyond working in a factory with Tom. Easygoing and ambitious, O’Konis makes quite an impression with Amanda and Tom while sharing some endearing moments with Laura.

At the center of the family is Adrianne Krstansky as Tom and Laura’s chatty, bubbly and yet anxious and controlling mother, Amanda Wingfield. Visibly shaking at times and fiddling with her clothes, Krstansky delivers a brilliant and unsettling performance as Amanda who veers from sing song excitement and fixation to alarm and paranoia handing out backhanded compliments. Dwelling on past charms and occasionally reminiscent of Blanche in A Streetcar Named Desire, Amanda fixates on her days of prosperity when she was the bell of the ball. Ruminating on symbolic jonquils, she nitpicks, fusses, plots, plans and worries over her children’s success and happiness hoping to find Laura a husband.

De’Lon Grant, Lia Giangrande and Adrienne Krstansky in Gloucester Stage Company’s ‘The Glass Menagerie’ Photo by Shawn Henry

Boasting raw and compelling characters, The Glass Menagerie is an affecting drama that mixes relatable humor, cruelty, regret, and generational trauma, but also joy, sweetness and amazement. Strong are the ties that bind. It is poignant, hopeful and it unveils a certain beauty in this family’s unwavering strength in these hard times.

With exquisite direction by Doug Lockwood, Gloucester Stage presents their 46^th anniversary summer season with Tennessee Williams’ classic drama The Glass Menagerie live and in person at Gloucester Stage Company in Gloucester, Massachusetts through June 28. Click here for more information and for tickets.

REVIEW: Witnessing transformation in Gloucester Stage and Teatro Chelsea’s dramedy ‘The Hombres’

Posted on September 19, 2024 by The Sleepless Critic

Julián seems lonely and misunderstood, but not for long.

Ricardo “Ricky” Holguin delivers a moving performance as gay Latino yoga instructor Julián who has always been intimidated by macho men. When he realizes he has to deliver a message to a group of construction workers above the yoga studio, he must face his fear to unexpected results.

Directed affectingly by Armando Rivera with sweeping choreography by movement designer Nathaniel Justiniano, Gloucester Stage Company and Teatro Chelsea co-presents Tony Meneses’ dramedy The Hombres continuing at Gloucester Stage in Gloucester MA through September 22 before concluding at Chelsea Theatre Works from September 27 through September 29. The show runs 100 minutes with a 15 minute intermission. Click here for more information and for tickets.

Jaime José Hernández, Luis Negrón and Arthur Gomez in Gloucester Stage and Teatro Chelsea’s ‘The Hombres’ Photo by Jason Grow Photography

A group of Latino construction workers composed of Arthur Gomez as Héctor, Jaime José Hernández as Beto, and Luis Negrón as Pedro are working above a New Jersey yoga studio. This fascinating trio shares an easygoing and amusing rapport sharing dirty jokes, intriguing stories or fantasizing how good life must be for the gringos (people who are not Latino) working in the city. In impressive glowing neon hard hats and jackets by Chelsea Kerl with vivid lighting by John Holmes, they strut and occasionally goof off while on break looking down at the city and the yoga studio does not go unnoticed.

Ricardo “Ricky” Holguin and the cast of Gloucester Stage and Teatro Chelsea’s ‘The Hombres’ Photo by Jason Grow Photography

Rivera cleverly overlaps the construction and yoga studio scenes depicting how vastly different these environments are until they inevitably collide. Scenic designer Kristin Loeffler makes the most of the stage as it highlights these contrasting worlds structurally connected featuring candles, incense, crystal and brass offering bowls, yoga blocks and mats while movable scaffolding and various pieces of equipment adorn the background. Julian Crocamo’s catchy sound design, highlighted by metal clanging infused rhythms and meaningful club and ruminating music, is a lively addition to this tale.

Ricardo “Ricky” Holguin and Patrick O’Konis in Gloucester Stage and Teatro Chelsea’s ‘The Hombres’ Photo by Jason Grow Photography

In a bandana and loose and flowing clothes, Julián seems tuned in and often empathetic towards others. An aspiring dancer, Julián is caring, funny, unassuming, sensitive, a bit of an over thinker and an amazing listener often finding himself engaging in other people’s problems and connecting to those around him more often by circumstance than by his own will. Patrick O’Konis portrays conflicted and friendly yoga member Miles who is also a bit of an enigma. Holguin is wonderful navigating the trepidation within Julián’s encounters with others with a mix of caution and relatable humor.

Ricardo “Ricky” Holguin and Arthur Gomez in Gloucester Stage and Teatro Chelsea’s ‘The Hombres’ Photo by Jason Grow Photography

Arthur Gomez as Héctor is earnest, vulnerable, and frustrated with his life and longs to make a change. Gomez’s Héctor thinks Julián may have the answers to his problems. The connections established in this show are stirring, heartwarming, and complex as it explores the lives and struggles of these Latino men. Julián often expresses himself through dance which leads a number of uplifting and humorous situations.

Ricardo “Ricky” Holguin and Luis Negrón in Gloucester Stage and Teatro Chelsea’s ‘The Hombres’ Photo by Jason Grow Photography

The Hombres is a well paced production with a captivating cast as each character undergoes some sort of mental, physical or spiritual transformation. Even in its unpredictable turn of events, it is a hopeful show that explores friendship, brotherhood, and what is truly means to be a real man.

Directed affectingly by Armando Rivera with sweeping choreography by movement designer Nathaniel Justiniano, Gloucester Stage and Teatro Chelsea co-presents Tony Meneses’ dramedy The Hombres continuing at Gloucester Stage in Gloucester MA through September 22 before concluding at Chelsea Theatre Works from September 27 through September 29. Click here for more information and for tickets.

REVIEW: Embrace life and pursue the ultimate wave with Gloucester Stage’s summer soaked world premiere comedy ‘Wipeout’

Posted on July 16, 2024 by The Sleepless Critic

It is never too late to try something new.

Margaret nicknamed Gary, is ready to take risks. Whether throwing caution to wind by neglecting to wear sunscreen or a seatbelt, Gary is finally embarking on a lifelong dream – to ride the ultimate wave for her 77^th birthday in Santa Cruz, California…having never set foot in the water before.

Cheryl D. Singleton, Karen MacDonald and Noelle Player in Gloucester Stage’s ‘Wipeout’ Photo by Jason Grow

With innovative and at times hilarious direction by Shana Gozansky as well as inviting lighting by Kat C Zhou, Gloucester Stage could not have chosen a more perfect time in its 45^th season to unveil the world premiere of Aurora Real de Asua’s comedy Wipeout continuing live and in person at Gloucester Stage in Gloucester, Massachusetts through July 28. The production contains a mix of important and needlessly explicit language, adult themes and runs approximately 100 minutes with no intermission. Click here for more information and for tickets.

Noelle Player and Karen MacDonald in Gloucester Stage’s ‘Wipeout’ Photo by Jason Grow

Surrounded by brightly colored beach balls on an aqua draped landscape, three women and one handsome teenage Santa Cruz Surf Skool instructor take to the waves depicted in a wooden pool like structure with sea turtles and various marine life painted on its perimeter. The absence of water in Jenna McFarland Lorde’s immensely exuberant set design embellishes the humor and endearing moments in this production as rolling chairs carry surfboards. Infuse Aubrey Dube’s immersive Pacific Ocean sounds and Wipeout transforms into one lively surfing safari.

Wipeout’s excellent physical comedy is hysterical as the group carefully wades through the ‘water’ in scrupulous and urgent strokes while each character balances on their individual board. In water shoes and matching surf skool t-shirts by Jennifer Greeke, Gary, depicted with captivating depth and bawdy audacity by Karen MacDonald, is excitable, adventurous, and a playful prankster but there might be more to that than meets the eye. MacDonald’s more serious moments are equally adept in a glassy-eyed grimace or squirming consternation. Supportive, wise, cheerful and grounded school teacher Claudia portrayed beautifully by Cheryl D. Singleton, shares true companionship with Noelle Player as haughty and glamorous with a bit of a chip of her shoulder Wynn and Gary through the manner in which they share memories, meanderings, insecurities, inside jokes, gossip and bawdy references at times with Golden Girls flair. They embody a solid, longtime, and intimate friendship through thick and thin. This engaging trio fumbles to find common ground with Thomas Bilotta who is instantly likable as their patient, enthusiastic, and compassionate teenage instructor Blaze which is met with intriguing results. Wipeout is full of surprises as well as stirring and authentic life lessons as each character explores instinct, life’s unpredictability, mortality, and what is really means to embrace life to the fullest.

Noelle Player and Thomas Bilotta in Gloucester Stage’s ‘Wipeout’ Photo by Jason Grow

With innovative and at times hilarious direction by Shana Gozansky and inviting lighting by Kat C Zhou, Gloucester Stage could not have chosen a more perfect time in its 45^th season to unveil the world premiere of Aurora Real de Asua’s dramedy Wipeout continuing live and in person at Gloucester Stage Company in Gloucester, Massachusetts through July 28. The production contains a mix of significant and needlessly explicit language, adult themes and runs approximately 100 minutes with no intermission. Click here for more information and for tickets.

REVIEW: Gloucester Stage examines love’s good, bad, and funny side in Noel Coward’s ‘Private Lives’

Posted on June 21, 2023 by The Sleepless Critic

Two pairs of British honeymooners embark on a luxurious beachside vacation without a care in the world…until their exes come into view. Then panic sets in.

Directed with vintage finesse by Diego Arciniegas, Gloucester Stage presents the amusing and at times hilarious romantic comedy, Private Lives live and in person at Gloucester Stage in Massachusetts through June 25. The show is presented in three acts and is approximately two hours with two intermissions. Click here for more information and for tickets.

Gloucester Stage’s ‘Private Lives’ Gunnar Manchester as Elyot and Katie Croyle as Amanda Photo Credit to Jason Grow

Seeing an ex can be excruciating, embarrassing, and depending on the circumstances in which it ended, a resentful experience. Every individual is different, but unless one parts way in a resplendent and amicable manner resembling a typical Reese Witherspoon romantic comedy where everyone is cheerfully and most times unrealistically understanding, seeing an ex can take the wind out the sails and become a harrowing and at best, brief and awkward experience. During what should be the happiest time in these honeymooners’ lives, encountering a complicated ex can spell disaster.

Gloucester Stage’s ‘Private Lives’ Serenity S’rae as Sibyl Photo Credit to Jason Grow

Private Lives may be a bit outdated in some of its thinking, but the nature of love remains the same. It boasts Noel Coward’s snappy dialogue that resembles 1940 classic comedy His Girl Friday about ten years before that film existed. Set in the 1930s, Private Lives features gorgeous classic love songs designed by Eric Hamel and possesses the charm of times gone by including marvelous vintage couture and outdoor wear by Nia Safarr Banks and landline telephones back when no one could identify who was on the other end of the line until it was picked up. Refreshingly, not a cell phone in sight. Another bright facet of Private Lives is Izmir Ickbal’s elegant scenic design that matches the show’s pristine sophistication from matching French-style furniture and grand piano to a pristine marble patio, balustrades, and lush greenery.

Gloucester Stage’s ‘Private Lives’ Stephen Shore as Victor and Katie Croyle as Amanda Photo Credit to Jason Grow

Essentially though, it explores the good, the bad, and the ugly side of love. The patterns of falling in and out of love while learning from what went wrong. When it comes to love on a scale of when it’s good, it’s perfect, but when it becomes ugly, watch out.

Gloucester Stage’s ‘Private Lives’ Jennifer Bubriski as Louise Photo Credit to Jason Grow

Each character has an eloquent speaking style and sophistication in manner, tone, and behavior evident even in chatty, young, and impressionable Sibyl depicted with vigor and excitable humor by Serenity S’rae. S’rae as Sibyl is not to be underestimated and her scenes with Gunnar Manchester as Elyot are full of idealistic expectations. Manchester certainly has the charisma for it as brooding, mysterious and a gambler in every sense of the word Elyot. While his motives are often in question, Elyot is a fascinating sort that never walks blindly into a situation. Katie Croyle embodies headstrong Amanda with wit and cynicism, yet still idealistic about love and hoping she has outsmarted her past. Stephen Shore, who shares a passing resemblance to Matt Damon, depicts chatty, protective, yet heart on his sleeve Victor while Jennifer Bubriski portrays Louise, a comedic bystander in this situation with perfectly timed, deadpan one-liners. The cast have compelling chemistry as well as quick witted comedic timing. Each character also demonstrates various outlooks on love, but will it serve them well?

Gloucester Stage’s ‘Private Lives’ Stephen Shore as Victor Serenity S’rae as Sibyl and Gunnar Manchester as Elyot Photo credit to Jason Grow

Energetic, tense, and with plenty of engaging physical and absurd humor, Private Lives is a smart, lighthearted, and hopeful romantic comedy about searching for love that is perfect in its imperfection.

Gloucester Stage presents the amusing and at times hilarious romantic comedy, Private Lives live and in person at Gloucester Stage in Massachusetts through June 25. The show is presented in three acts and is approximately two hours with two intermissions. Click here for more information and for tickets.

REVIEW: Gloucester Stage’s ‘Paradise Blue’ a savvy and intriguing noir experience

Posted on September 16, 2022 by The Sleepless Critic

Paradise, a longtime 40s Detroit Jazz Club, holds many secrets. As those secrets gradually unfold, nothing is as it seems.

With multi-faceted direction by Elise Joyner and Logan Pitts, Gloucester Stage Company presents Dominique Morisseau’s noir drama Paradise Blue through Sunday, September 18 live and in person at Gloucester Stage, 267 E Main Street on Cape Ann in Gloucester, MA. The show has some adult language. The half moon stage and intimate venue does not have a bad seat in the house. Click here for more information and for tickets.

Gloucester Stage’s ‘Paradise Blue’ Darian Michael Garey as P-Sam, Destiny Deshuan Washington as Pumpkin, and Dereks Thomas as Corn Photo Credit to Jason Grow

Though the show’s main focus didn’t seem immediately clear, many revelations piece the production together for its stunning conclusion that may leave you thinking about it long after the show is over.

Paradise Blue focuses on a group of people tied in one way or another to a jazz club/boarding house called Paradise, run exclusively by no-nonsense Blue, portrayed with guarded complexity by horn player Durrell Lyons. Now in danger of closing, the club has its own mysterious roots in Detroit and everyone in Blue’s world has a stake in the club’s future.

Gloucester Stage’s ‘Paradise Blue’ Darian Michael Garey as P-Sam and Dereks Thomas as Corn Photo Credit to Jason Grow

Paradise Blue taps into the cast’s multilayered personas as each character makes surprising choices as the show progresses. This complex and unpredictable production boasts strong performances with particular standouts from Destiny Deschaun Washington as Pumpkin and Alexandria Danielle King as Silver. Destiny Deschaun Washington infuses Pumpkin with warmth, humbleness and compassion towards everyone while consistently putting others first at times to her own detriment. Pumpkin’s maternal nature endears her to each cast member as she shares bittersweet and complicated moments with Blue and a natural camaraderie with James Ricardo Milord who only recently joined the cast, but kept up with the best of them as trusting and steadfast piano player Corn.

Gloucester Stage’s ‘Paradise Blue’ Alexandria Danielle King as Silver, Durrell Lyons as Blue, Darian Michael Garey as P-Sam, and Dereks Thomas as Corn, Photo credit to Jason Grow

Chatty, curious, and hardworking, Pumpkin is the seeming antithesis to new tenant Silver, portrayed with blunt and worldly shrewdness by Alexandria Danielle King. Both Silver and P-Sam, depicted with agitated energy by Darian Michael Garey, possess a learned tenacity and restlessness from bitter past experiences. Darian Michael Garey exudes palpable energy while King simmers. Seeing these characters face conflict in their own unique way is a fascinating character study, but due to vastly differing perspectives, Pumpkin and Silver are particularly intriguing with each interaction.

Gloucester Stage ‘Paradise Blue’ Destiny Deshuan Washington as Pumpkin and Alexandria Danielle King as Silver Photo Credit_Jason to Grow

Paradise Blue itself exudes its own restlessness in the Black Bottom neighborhood of Detroit which society considers the club a ‘blight.’ Word travels fast and gossip carries its own weight in this enigmatic neighborhood. Paradise Blue succinctly carries the tense and rueful undertones through Toni Sterling’s stirring lighting and Aubrey Dube’s soulful and bluesy sound design. Nia Safarr Banks’s sharp vintage suits and distinctive and colorful dresses pop against Janie Howland’s modest and earthy-colored set.

‘Paradise Blue’ Stage set Photo Credit to Jason Grow

Paradise Blue is a powerful drama with grit and gall as each character pours their hopes into Paradise for a brighter future unsuspecting of what lies ahead.

Gloucester Stage Company presents Dominique Morisseau’s noir drama Paradise Blue through Sunday, September 18 live and in person at Gloucester Stage, 267 E Main Street on Cape Ann in Gloucester, MA. Click here for more information and for tickets.