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REVIEW: Kevin T. Durfee’s ‘Scenes of (Dis)Connections’ at NYC’s The Chain Theatre One Act Winter Festival

Posted on March 11 by The Sleepless Critic

Oh, what might have been….

Don’t let the upbeat opening music fool you. This is one intense table.

Three individuals arrive at a poker game. One individual is earnestly present in spite of her current circumstances and two cannot escape their immediate pressures and distractions even though they all share a common goal – to be present together.

Mary McCarthy, Griffin Garnett and Hannah Wu in Kevin T. Durfee’s ‘Scenes of (Dis)connections’ Photo by Shannon Adams Creative

Written and directed thoughtfully by Kevin T. Durfee, Chain Theatre presented Scenes of (Dis) Connections as part of Chain Theatre’s One Act Winter Festival #27 which took place virtually and in person at Chain Theatre in New York City. Due to a blizzard, this program had to be delayed a week. Click here for more information about the production and here for more information about Chain Theatre, which presents over 90 one act productions during its annual winter festival.

Mary McCarthy in Kevin T. Durfee’s ‘Scenes of (Dis)connections’ Photo by Shannon Adams Creative

A small, floral covered table should bring friends together, but they cannot help but misunderstand each other. In their own way, they all secretly plead for help, but cannot be heard. Durfee uses communication breakdown in a clever way to depict each individual’s perspective through Mary McCarthy as struggling mother One, Griffin Garnett portrays struggling worker Another, and Hannah Wu depicts unemployed Alternative. Athleisure, a business suit, and casually dressed respectively fittingly reflect their distinctive life perspectives. They all aptly underline their distress as they long for the comfort of each other’s company, but cannot escape their various individual pressures.

Griffin Garnett in Kevin T. Durfee’s ‘Scenes of (Dis)connections’ Photo by Shannon Adams Creative

Confiding and connecting are so important. Durfee was inspired to write this work through his own experiences meeting up with friends and everyone is so engulfed in their current circumstances, they catch up, but may lack genuine connection. Durfee uses potentially life altering circumstances, but lack of connection is so easy to do in friendship or in any relationship, especially when even the lure of a cell phone is enough of a distraction from making a genuine human connection. Listening, connection and confiding can lighten anyone’s struggles even when things happen.

Hannah Wu in Kevin T. Durfee’s ‘Scenes of (Dis)connections’ Photo by Shannon Adams Creative

Scenes of (Dis) Connections provide just a snapshot of a friendship without a background story, but could be the foundation of a larger narrative. In its brief time, it begs a few questions about these three interesting characters. How they became friends, how they found themselves in these circumstances and how their friendship progresses would make for an excellent larger production.

Mary McCarthy, Griffin Garnett and Hannah Wu in Kevin T. Durfee’s ‘Scenes of (Dis)connections’ Photo by Ryan Blaise and Shannon Adams Creative

Chain Theatre presented Scenes of (Dis) Connections as part of Chain Theatre’s One Act Winter Festival #27 which took place virtually and in person at Chain Theatre in New York City. Click here for more information about the production and here for more information about Chain Theatre.

REVIEW: ‘Friendship Bonds’ shorts reveal new perspectives at New Ohio Theatre’s New York City’s Indie Theatre Film Festival

Posted on March 3, 2023 by The Sleepless Critic

The New Ohio Theatre presented its 7^th annual NYC Indie Theatre Film Festival live and in person at New Ohio Theatre, 154 Christopher Street in NYC from February 16-19 and then virtually from February 20-26. The New York City Indie Film Theatre Festival offered a variety of films from shorts to features on a wide range of topics and some of the film selections contain mature themes. Click here for more information and to learn more about New Ohio Theatre.

The Sleepless Critic was knee deep in short films and tackled Dating Drama and Friendship Bonds shorts which focused on a variety of perspectives on relationships. Friendship Bonds explores the value and challenges of friendships in various circumstances. Click here for the Dating Drama short film review.

Shorts: Friendship Bonds ‘Andy and Kaliope’ Photo credit to New Ohio Theatre

Beautifully written and produced by Rachel Handler with stirring direction by Crystal Arnette and Catriona Rubenis-Stevens, Andy and Kaliope is a touching short film starring Jai Ram Srinivansan in a sweet portrayal as Andy, a foster child whose big imagination is in a war with his darkest fears. Accompanied by Rachel Handler as warm and encouraging Jamie, Colin Buckingham as Cole, and an extraordinary gift, Andy must muster the courage to move forward. It is a wonderful short film about the power of hope.

Shorts: Friendship Bonds Two Women on A Bridge Photo credit to New Ohio Theatre

Exceptionally directed, written, and edited by Tom Bean, Two Women on a Bridge is a thought provoking journey over the Williamsburg Bridge in May 2020 in a captivating display of black and white cinematography. Starring Karen Maine and Suzanne Lenz to Michael Abiuso’s gentle score, Two Women on a Bridge delves into a fractured friendship and reflects on the overwhelming changes in the world while engaging and hypothetical popup endings instill light humor to some serious themes.

Shorts: Friendship Bonds ‘Eyeballs’ Photo credit to New Ohio Theatre

In a quirky but realistic zoom scenario, a group of students are brought together by a group school project in Eyeballs. Written by Molly Powers Gallagher and starring as Nadine, Ola Pater as Cara, and Zack Palomo as Dev, the small zoom group convincingly conveys the nervousness and the hesitation to share ideas and connect. Directed and edited by Robert Thaxton Stevenson, stay put for this cute comedy’s end credit scene.

Shorts: Friendship Bonds ‘Lindsay, Lindsey, Lyndsay’ Photo credit to New Ohio Theatre

Lindsay, Lindsey, Lyndsey is not an exaggeration, but a tale of three different Lindsays. Lindsay’s fabulous new house. However, things are not quite as they seem. Dan Kuan Peeples, Cameron Cronin, and Daphne Overbeck deal with jealously, unrequited love, and a renewed sense of belonging as they reminisce over old times. Though some of the themes are a bit repetitive, this dramedy examines the complications of long term friendships and what keeps them going through it all.

Shorts: Friendship Bonds ‘The One They Wanted’ Photo credit to New Ohio Theatre

Directed by Catrina Rubenis-Stevens and written by Bryan Harlow, The One they Wanted is an absorbing and important short film about the challenges veterans face from within after they come home. It is a beautiful and poignant look at a pair of brother and sister veterans who share in their internal battles as sister Gabi faces difficulty in daily activities. Margo Serrano as Gabi embodies the veiled emptiness and depression over recent events while Writer Bryan Harlow also stars as Gabi’s nurturing brother Patrick as they attempt to find connection in their shared experiences. It is a genuine and affective short film not to be missed.

Shorts: Friendship Bonds ‘Scene Study’ Photo credit New Ohio Theatre

Scene Study is a sly short film about mixed signals. Written and directed with a few twists and turns by Trace Pope, Russell Sperberg as shy Cal and Joshua Ciccel as charismatic Ryan rehearse a scene study together when something unexpected happens. Director Trace Pope does a remarkable job in this brief time frame to create a light, unpredictable drama that keeps the viewer guessing till the very end.

Remarkably directed by Bandar Albuliwi, Sakrə Fīs (Sacrifice) is a riveting Iranian story about Azaheh, impressively depicted by Tiffany Ariany and Johnny Ferdosi as playful and fascinating Aadan who find themselves in a suspenseful and life threatening situation during a football game. Enhanced by Joe Aguirresarobe’s gripping cinematography and Nima Fakhrara’s affective score, Ariany and Ferdosi’s natural and sweet chemistry and the dangers of daily life in present Iran is what makes this increasingly tense and unpredictable tale such an engrossing and heartrending journey.

Shorts: Friendship Bonds ‘The Bottom’ Photo credit New Ohio Theatre

Do the ends justify the means? A man, at his most vulnerable, is being forced into a mysterious lake at gunpoint. Hostility and tension reach its boiling point in this eerie confrontation between James Kautz as Jude and Alex Grubbs as John before the plot thickens. With harrowing direction by Morgan O’Sullivan and James Kautz and fueled by Adam Bloch’s haunting sound effects, The Bottom is an dark, deeply psychological look at the affect of toxic relationships and may cause more than a chill.

Shorts: Friendship Bonds ‘We (Don’t) Know How to Live Photo credit New Ohio Theatre

On a lighter note, We (Don’t) Know How to Live is a comical and somewhat liberating look at life when reaching a milestone birthday. Four friends unite for Claire’s 30^th birthday party, but Claire receives some distressing news before she arrives which may ruin the whole thing. Jayne McLendon as Betty, Hilary Wirachowsky as Claire, Khadijah Roberts-Abdullah as Darcy and Gordon Harper as Daniel all give off some Friends vibes as they reflect upon the direction of their lives. Reflectively written by Jayne McLendon, Hilary Wirachowsky, and Khadijah Roberts-Abdullah, the festive and inviting setting keeps the mood light as the group tackles relatable and age appropriate musings.

NYC actress, writer, and filmmaker Stephanie Iscovitz talks film career and managing annual ‘New York New Works Theatre Festival’ in October

Posted on September 27, 2017 by The Sleepless Critic

NYC actress, writer, filmmaker, and casting assistant Stephanie Iscovitz is no stranger to a competitive festival, having been on the winning end and a participant. She is taking her expertise to a whole new level running the upcoming New York New Works Theatre Festival, kicking off Tuesday, October 3 and continuing through Saturday, Oct. 21 at New York City’s Duke Theatre with the final gala on Monday, Nov. 6 at Theatre 80.

With a wide spectrum of diverse, carefully chosen theatre productions from hundreds of submissions and created by Gene Fisch, Jr., the New York New Works Theatre Festival is a give back project to help the arts community. It’s an exciting, annual event as award-winning representatives from Broadway and beyond judge the next generation’s promising talent. Click here for the full theatre schedule, tickets, and here for panelist information.

Stephanie Iscovitz delves into her journey as a film festival participant, what to expect at the New York New Works Theatre Festival, and the message she hopes to convey through her work. Click here for more on Stephanie and her upcoming projects.

Sleepless Critic: Starting October 3, you are leading the management team at the New York New Works Theatre Festival.

Stephanie Iscovitz: Yes, I’m managing the New York New Works Theater Showcase and am very passionate about including as many powerful, female and diverse voices as possible.

The New York New Works Theatre Showcase is a theatre competition that provides aspiring writers the opportunity to present their work in a top tier theatre while being mentored by a group of Broadway, television producers, and industry leaders. The distinguished panelists are Broadway producers, Tony Award-winners, Emmy Award-winners, or industry executives that volunteer their time to help aspiring writers. Performances take place in the 199-seat Duke Theatre on 42nd and Broadway from Tuesday, October 3 through Saturday, October 21 with the final gala on Monday, November 6.

I’m eager to take all the wonderful parts of my film festival experience while bringing some great new ideas to the New York New Works Theatre Showcase. As an actor and writer, I know what kind of opportunities I would benefit from and am humbled and excited to provide that for the participants in this year’s showcase.

SC: You bring a broad range of experience to the New York New Works Theatre Festival, including your training at the T. Schreiber Studio and Theatre, a studio that features Edward Norton, Peter Sarsgaard, and Maria Bello, just a few of their renowned alumni. What was that experience like for you?

SI: With only eleven students in the conservatory, it was an extraordinary, life-changing experience. When you’re part of an intense, raw, and emotionally-challenging program like that, the people you experience it with become your family. I still study there as part of their on-going scene study program continually challenged with roles I’m afraid to do. I was most recently working on a character affected with brain damage.

T. Schreiber Studio and Theatre graduate Stephanie Iscovitz T. Schreiber Photo Credit: T. Schreiber Studio & Theatre

SC: What do you think is the most important thing that T. Schreiber has taught you as an actress, filmmaker, writer, and producer?

SI: Terry Schreiber notoriously says that you must give yourself the permission to let yourself happen, which has become my mantra. The first couple of short films I made as an actor, writer, and producer had potential, but they weren’t great. However, I wouldn’t be where I am today or learned as much as I did had I not made those short films, which I consider beautiful stepping stones. Give yourself permission to fall flat on your face and be patient with yourself on this creative journey because in this business, it’s more about the journey than the destination.

SC: Having attended a number of festivals in your career, you have firsthand experience participating in what can be incredibly competitive festivals. What was your first film festival you attended?

SI: The first film festival I got into was for my first film, Ladies Night, presented at a great festival I return to annually, the 2014 Big Apple Film Festival. It’s a comedy held in a karaoke bar and I’ve learned a lot after that first film, like avoid writing a film where music rights are imperative. To my surprise, it was very well received and screened alongside Jerry Stiller in the festival program. I had no idea what I was doing at the festival and was so nervous during the Q&A I could feel my shortness of breath while I was speaking. It’s a comforting thought that no one really knows what they’re doing and just trying to do the best they can with what they’ve got.

Big Apple Film Festival with Jerry Stiller

2014 Big Apple Film Festival – Stephanie won for her first film, which screened along Jerry Stiller. It was a comedy called ‘Ladies Night’ Photo Credit: Stephanie Iscovitz

SC: Recently, you went to Long Beach Island for a film festival not long ago. What is it like for you to attend a festival where your production is featured?

SI: Lighthouse International was the best film festival I’ve attended. Each year, the festival champions a selection of new, often unrecognized films from the US and around the world to compete in the festival and for audience award categories, which screen alongside award-winning spotlight films from Sundance, Cannes, SXSW, Toronto and Tribeca. I saw pre-released films and met other NYC filmmakers, sparking collaboration for future projects.

After the screenings, there were Q&A’s with the filmmakers. We had our world premiere of Bruce Loves You where the shorts programmer, Chip Parham, ran a stellar screening. It was wonderful to have a captive audience interested in knowing more about our film making process and about of course, Bruce the ghost.

'Bruce Loves You' cast at Lighthouse International film fest

‘Bruce Loves You’ team at the 2017 Lighthouse International Film Festival Photo courtesy of Darin Quan

SC: As you attend these festivals, do you feel like you get better at the process or is every festival different? What was it like to win at the festival?

SI: Every festival is different. We’ve started to call it ‘Game of Festivals’ where you win or die and 99% of the time you die. It’s all so subjective and such a gamble, depending upon who’s watching your submission if your submission was actually watched, at what time of day, and what the viewer’s own personal values and tastes are. When you are actually accepted out of thousands of submissions, it feels like a real lottery win.

I met one of my closest friends and collaborators at a film festival where our film, Catslaughter had been rejected. After speaking with her, it turned out we had the same exact film except hers was about a sweater and ours was about a cat. She had submitted early and was already accepted when we submitted late. Timing is everything. A rejection doesn’t necessarily mean your film was bad. There are a number of factors involved and in this case, they had already programmed a similar film. However, it turned out to be a huge blessing because she and I clicked creatively and have gone on to work together on multiple projects.

Filmmaker Cinder Chou at 2016 Big Apple Film Festival Photo courtesy of Stephanie Iscovitz

SC: What is the message that you hope to deliver through your work?

SI: I really want to drive social change through storytelling and that begins with representation on film, particularly through the female lens and experience. I hope to enlighten while helping audiences feel a little less alone.

Tickets are still available to this year’s New York New Works Theatre Festival. Click here for more information and tickets. New York New Works Theatre Festival is also on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Click here for more on Stephanie Iscovitz and her upcoming projects.

Stephanie Iscovitz’s new project Photo courtesy of Rutledge Customs