indoor activities

REVIEW:  A playwright’s journey goes awry in shrewd satirical comedy ‘When Playwrights Kill’

Posted on by The Sleepless Critic

Theatre can really drive you crazy and no one is more versed on that subject than Matt Doyle as playwright Jack Hawkins. Matt Doyle also acts as narrator reflecting on his wild journey as a struggling playwright.

With Noah Himmelstein’s zippy direction fueled by John Gromada and Joel Abbot’s catchy and mischievous sound design, Matthew Lombardo’s zany satirical comedy, When Playwrights Kill continues its world premiere live and in person at The Huntington in Boston, Massachusetts for a limited engagement through Saturday, April 18.  This semi-interactive play-within-the making-of-a-play contains adult language and runs 2 hours with an intermission. Click here for more information and for tickets.

(L-R) Adam Heller (The Producer), Matt Doyle (The Playwright), Kevin Chamberlin (The
Director) in ‘When Playwrights Kill’ Photo by Jim Sabitus

Loosely based on a real life theatrical incident, When Playwrights Kill features far more wry humor and hilarity than dark moments when a struggling playwright desperately attempts to get his new play, The Return to the Broadway stage.  Working with an unpredictable theatre company which includes a greedy producer and a semi-retired acting legend, success may come with a price.

(L-R) Kevin Chamberlin (The Director), Matt Doyle (The Playwright), Beth Leavel (The
Actress) in ‘When Playwrights Kill’ Photo by Jim Sabitus

Alexander Dodge’s modestly stylish scenic design includes a glimmering red curtain and an extravagant makeup table with diva lights enhanced by Elizabeth Harper’s versatile lighting that not only cues scene changes and adds depth to the set, but illustrates Jack’s self aware inner monologue and narration.

Matt Doyle (The Playwright) and Beth Leavel (The Actress) in ‘When Playwrights Kill’ Photo by Jim Sabitus

Comparing a restaurant to a shame shack and lines like “I’m not even following your tricycle of thought” is just a sample of Matthew Lombardo’s witty and uproarious script.  It often draws on theatre history and boasts an assortment of theatrical and Boston references, but you don’t need to be a theatre buff to enjoy the absurdity of this shrewd production.

When Playwrights Kill features a strong cast that feed well off each other as this initially lighthearted production’s plot wildly thickens.  Doyle delivers an earnest and engaging performance as Jack while articulating the building fury and frustration of being a playwright.  Doyle’s asides are especially entertaining and he shares a fascinating chemistry with Beth Leavel as Brooke Remington, a semi-retired acting legend hired to perform his one woman show.

Beth Leavel (The Actress) in ‘When Playwrights Kill’ Photo by Jim Sabitus

Electric in fabulous heels, Beth Leavel is excellent as frazzled, charismatic, egotistical and blunt Brooke mastering a complex array of physical comedic scenarios that bear a passing resemblance to Carol Burnett‘s comedic prowess. For example, a scene where Leavel as Brooke is navigating a phone is pure perfection.  Always making a memorable entrance, Brooke can also order a meal that gives Sally Albright a run for her money decked out in glamorous and vibrant attire by costumer Alejo Vietti only second to Tomás Matos as frank and wisecracking Val Liam’s chic and studded wardrobe in shredded denim and florals.

(L-R) Beth Leavel (The Actress) and Marissa Jaret Winokur (The Stage Manager) in ‘When Playwrights Kill’ Photo by Jim Sabitus

Adam Heller is also memorable as a business minded, fittingly raspy voiced and relentlessly greedy producer who shares some grand scenes with Doyle, but it is especially entertaining as Heller and Kevin Chamberlin, wonderful as the Director, conspire together calculating what next is in store.  Boasting some priceless facial expressions, you may also feel the frustration of Marissa Jaret Winokur as a sympathetic and level headed Stage Manager who is doing everything necessary to keep this production afloat.

(L-R) Beth Leavel (The Actress), Tomás Matos (The Prompter), Adam Heller (The Producer),
Matt Doyle (The Playwright) in ‘When Playwrights Kill’ Photo by Jim Sabitus

Twists and turns navigate this quickly paced and often unpredictable tale that delves into themes such as avarice versus creativity and other thought provoking ideas that resonate while the production never takes itself too seriously. 

When Playwrights Kill is a delightfully absurd and insightful treat to anyone on and off the stage.

Matthew Lombardo’s zany satirical comedy, When Playwrights Kill continues its world premiere live and in person at The Huntington in Boston, Massachusetts for a limited engagement through Saturday, April 18.  Click here for more information and for tickets.

REVIEW:  ‘The Outsiders’ musical sure does shine

Posted on by The Sleepless Critic

Tulsa, Oklahoma is divided by the-haves and have-nots in 1967 and that divide is capable of causing a confrontation at the drop of a hat.

The drive-in and literature provide a means of escape for Pony Boy, a 14 year-old Greaser often surrounded by teenage gang violence.  As young as he is, he may be the only one who is asking why.

The cast of ‘The Outsiders’ musical national tour Photo by Matthew Murphy of MurphyMade

Directed meaningfully by Dayna Taymor with Justin Levine’s powerful music direction and Rick and Jeff Kuperman’s slick and athletic choreography, Lexus Broadway in Boston continues the national tour of The Outsiders musical at Citizens Opera House through Sunday, April 12.  This coming of age musical’s action is not limited to the stage and runs 2 hours and 30 minutes with one intermission.  Click here for more information and for tickets and here for the next stop on The Outsiders Musical national tour.

The Outsiders was originally a 1967 novel by S.E. Hinton.  The author oversaw every aspect of the popular 1983 Francis Ford Coppola film adaptation of the same name featuring what was then a promising group of actors that went on to make their own iconic mark in the world.  The film became a popular cult classic with a dynamite cast starring Thomas C. Howell as Pony Boy, Patrick Swayze as Darrell, Ralph Macchio as Johnny, Matt Dillon as Dallas, Rob Lowe as Soda Pop, Emilio Estevez as Two-Bit, Leif Garrett as Bob and Diane Lane as Sherri “Cheri” Valance.  It also first premiered as a stage play in 1990.

The Greasers Photo by Matthew Murphy of MurphyMade

From its building opening folk-rock number Tulsa ’67, The Outsiders musical hits the ground running and it is as thrilling as it is introspective.  Nolan White is an immediately compelling narrator as poetic, sensitive, naïve and bookish Pony Boy.  Pony Boy spends his days escaping the chaos and Tulsa’s gang violence through 60s film icons such as James Dean and Paul Newman, but it is only a matter of time before the violence around him catches up to him.

The national touring cast of ‘The Outsiders’ musical Photo by Matthew Murphy of Matthew Murphy of MurphyMade

Smoke rises over Projection designer Hana S. Kim’s and Sceneographer Tatiana Kehvehgian’s weathered and strategically placed multi-level industrial set.  Peppered with vintage props that effectively rewind the clock such as a teal antenna television, functional Cadillacs that growl to life and a vintage metal-framed wooden table, the surrounding set pieces are brilliantly navigated by the cast into alternating positions, especially grease, wooden planks and cinderblocks which take part in the Kupermans’ slick and athletic choreography.  Grainy film montages creatively and impressively illustrate the stage in unexpected places combined with Brian MacDevitt’s lighting heightening the show’s innate intensity through windswept shadows, flashlights, headlights and a dazzling sunrise.

The Socs of the national touring cast of ‘The Outsiders’ musical Photo by Matthew Murphy of MurphyMade

Outstanding harmonies within Great Expectations, I Could Talk to You All Night, Grease Got a Hold, Run Run Brother and Throwing in the Towel, and Stay Gold is just a few of the mellifluous numbers in this guitar-tinged folk and roots rock score.  The Outsiders tackle privilege, bullying, gang and domestic violence, grief and loss.  It also delves into brotherhood, family, friendship and more prevalently, yearning to be understood and the dream of a better life. 

The captivating cast share natural camaraderie amongst the two gangs punctuated by the performances of Tyler Jordan Wesley as wildly unpredictable Dallas and Travis Roy Rogers as reliable Darrell.  Wesley hits all the right notes with Little Brother while Darrell’s resentment, self righteousness, worries and distress are encapsulated in the numbers Runs in the Family and Soda’s Letter.

The national touring cast of ‘The Outsiders’ musical Photo by Matthew Murphy of MurphyMade

Life can change on a dime and the mesmerizing manner in which they are presented are one of the greatest aspects of this amazing musical as well as how beautifully this musical brings out Hinson’s work about innocence and struggle in a remarkably new, unique and fitting manner.

This musical sure does shine.

Lexus Broadway in Boston continues the national tour of The Outsiders musical at Citizens Opera House in Boston, Massachusetts through Sunday, April 12.  Click here for more information and for tickets and here for the next stop on The Outsiders Musical national tour.