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REVIEW:  From comedy to complication in Erin Moughon’s ‘Escape (The Pina Colada Song), Kevin Cheng’s ‘Dear Diary,’ Pascal Phoa’s ‘Last Train to Nevada’ and Kevin T. Durfee’s ‘Between the Wired Fence’ at NYC’s The Chain Theatre One Act Winter Festival

Posted on by The Sleepless Critic

From traumatic to comical to poignant, Program #9 explores a variety of struggles among two people from strangers to spouses including grief, circumstances or growing apart.

Chain Theatre’s One Act Winter Festival continues both live stream and in person at the Chain Theatre in New York, New York through March 2. Erin Moughon’s Escape (The Pina Colada Song), Kevin Cheng’s Dear Diary and Pascal Phoa’s Last Train to Nevada are 15 minute One Act productions Kevin T. Durfee’s Between the Wired Fence runs 45 minutes. Click here for more information and for tickets.

Aren’t most breakups complicated?  However, this particular one is on another level.

Claire Shiell and Matthew Menendez in Erin Moughon’s Escape (The Pina Colada Song) Photo courtesy of Chain Theatre

Candidly directed by Perryn Pomatto, Erin Moughon’s Escape (The Pina Colada Song) shares too small a snapshot into a relationship with quickly building tension as a woman breaks the news to her boyfriend that she wants to break up with him.  What ensues is outside the expected as Claire Shiell and Matthew Menendez share some humorous moments unleashing frank relationship truths along the way building to a fascinating revelation.  Escape leaves more questions that beg for a prequel or a sequel to this one act.

Elizabeth McBryde and Kevin Cheung in Kevin Cheng’s ‘Dear Diary’ Photo by Genda Lin @gendalin

With ruminating direction by Emily M. White, the cherry blossoms are in bloom as Elizabeth McBryde as reserved Josie settles on a Central Park bench to verbalize her thoughts in her daily journal entry in Kevin Cheng’s Dear Diary.  However, her sensible thoughts are interrupted by an encounter with Kevin Cheng who is memorable as optimistic and cheerful Pablo practicing a speech. Dear Diary is poignant and funny with more to the story that Josie can reveal as disarming Pablo charms her into helping him out and they discover more about one another.

Elizabeth McBryde and Kevin Cheng in Kevin Cheng’s ‘Dear Diary’ Photo by Genda Lin @gendalin

What if escape is your last hope?

Pascal Phoa’s Last Train to Nevada focuses on a couple who are running out of options in 1942.  Their only hope of being together requires a drastic change that is sure to change both their lives.  With stirring direction by Yibin Wang, Pascal Phoa portrays an uncertain Freddy and Gwyneth Benitez-Graham as a despairing Ida from different countries in a dangerous and intolerant climate.  Phoa and Graham bring complexity to their character’s motivations as time is running out and they are in urgent need of an answer.

Pascal Phoa and Gwyneth Benitez-Graham in Pascal Phoa’s ‘Last Train to Nevada’ Photo courtesy of Chain Theatre

At some point, something has to give.

Written and directed by Kevin T. Durfee, Between the Wired Fence reflects on timing and aspiration as a couple metaphorically stares at one another from two sides of a figurative fence.

Elisa Falanga and Shannon Adams-Gray in Kevin T. Durfee’s ‘Between the Wired Fence’ Photo courtesy of Chain Theatre

Shannon Adams-Gray offers a thought provoking performance as overwhelmed but successful financial adviser Sawyer who was once an aspiring actress.  Daniel Bishop portrays Odie, Sawyer’s spontaneous and intuitive husband who tries to help her cope as he pursues a career in performance art.  Bishop as Odie’s outlandish and over the top persona is a seeming contrast to Adams-Gray as Sawyer’s forced sensibilities, but there lies an underlying charm and clear bond in their brief stage time together.

Daniel Bishop Kevin T. Durfee’s ‘Between the Wired Fence’ Photo courtesy of Chain Theatre

When Elisa Falanga delivers a mysterious package, it springs forth an eye opening reckoning for Sawyer and a new understanding on how they can both move forward.

Between the Wired Fence offers humor and insight on both sides of the fence into life’s delicate timing while touching upon the anxieties and pressures of the world and what it means to succeed.

Chain Theatre’s One Act Winter Festival continues both live stream and in person at the Chain Theatre in New York, New York through March 2.  Click here for more information and for tickets.

REVIEW: Theatre KAPOW shows they have perfect timing with Peter Josephson’s ‘A Tempest Prayer’

Posted on by The Sleepless Critic

It is no surprise that Theatre KAPOW added Peter Josephson’s A Tempest Prayer, based on Shakespeare’s The Tempest, to their 13th season entitled, ‘We Can Get through This.’  Having lived through the Great Plague of London, Shakespeare was sadly familiar with the anguish of isolation and solemnity that encapsulates a person during a pandemic and the closing of theatres.  It is a perfect choice for this indelible year.

Peter Josephson’s  A Tempest Prayer, a solo retelling of William Shakespere’s The Tempest also starring Peter Josephson, was live streamed at various times from Theatre KAPOW’s studio in Manchester, NH from November 13 through November 15.  Click here for more information on season 13 and how to support them on Giving Tuesday on December 1.

Theatre KAPOW company member and award-winning actor Peter Josephson takes on quite a lot capturing the essence of a Shakespearean classic while displaying a full range of emotions not only as Prospero, but as other mystical figures.  It is a harrowing journey within a man’s psyche stranded with his daughter on a mystical Mediterranean island imprisoned by his thoughts.  He knows there is a way to escape, but must come to terms with himself in order to find freedom.   If the show’s surroundings and lead actor’s struggles do not seem a bit familiar in this odd year of 2020, maybe you’re adjusting better than you might expect.

Peter Josephson in ‘A Tempest Prayer’ Photo courtesy of Matthew Lomanno Photography/Theatre Kapow

Though A Tempest Prayer is a solo retelling, Josephson portrays other mystical characters on the island in innovative ways while simultaneously making him look that much more unhinged.  He uses marionettes for the illusion of interaction and Prospero’s daughter Miranda looks lifelike in a moving CGI portrait.  Multiple camera angles, the dark and ominous island setting, and stirring sound effects by Matt Cahoon, Tavya Young, and Jake Hodgins all contribute to Peter’s captivating torment.

Josephson gives a fierce and gripping performance as Prospero expressing his inner turmoil as he struggles to forgive, the weight of his ills threatening to drive him mad unless he can let go.  He’s menacing, fearful, shrewd, and human.  It is easy to witness this turmoil and have empathy while he is wracked by loneliness and confinement.  He paces and ponders the insignificance of life as he attempts to propel himself into a brave new world and appreciate what he does have.

Peter Josephson in ‘A Tempest Prayer’ Photo courtesy of Matthew Lomanno Photography/Theatre Kapow

Perhaps you are your own worst enemy.  Perhaps more than anyone surrounding you, the unbearable truth is that the biggest struggles are the ones you endure within yourself.  Letting go is the key to making things better if only it were that easy.

Sleepless Critic had the honor of interviewing Peter Josephson on a past production he performed with Theatre KAPOW. Click here for the interview.

Theatre KAPOW’s 13th season is underway.  Click here for more information about Theatre KAPOW, their mission, and how you can support them on Giving Tuesday on December 1.