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REVIEW: Dating just got complicated for Dating Drama shorts 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 presented a variety of films from short films to features on a variety of topics and some films 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 the Dating Drama and the Friendship Bonds shorts which focused on a variety of perspectives on relationships. Click here for the Friendship Bonds short film review.

New Ohio Shorts ‘Full Disclosure’ Photo credit New Ohio Theatre

Dating is not for the faint of heart. Sharply written and directed by Mia Rovegno, Full Disclosure opens up the rapid fire, neurotic world of dating in a part confessional stream of consciousness romantic comedy that will keep the viewer guessing till its twisty conclusion. Charise Greene as Darleen and Ryan Pater as Trent display cute chemistry that swings from obscure to anxious to downright impressive in a sequence of traditional dating scenarios as Zera Bloom’s cheerful, low key instrumental score keeps this lighthearted rom com quite the charmer.

New Ohio Theatre Dating Drama Shorts ‘eXcape’ Photo credit New Ohio Theatre

Two exes face the end of their relationship. One is about to move out, but soon realize they are trapped inside their apartment. Lindsley Howard as Jess and Mariah Naomi Sanchez as Marianna attempt to navigate their rocky relationship on a riddle-filled quest for answers in eXcape. Boosted by Kate Eberstadt’s tense soundtrack, eXcape is a somewhat predictable scenario, but boasts some adventurous and bittersweet moments during this down-to-the-wire mystery.

New Ohio Dating Drama Shorts ‘Jules and Dee’ Photo credit New Ohio Theatre

Featuring a retro punk soundtrack by Jim McCarthy, written and directed by Juliet Perrell and co-directed by Edna Luise Biesold, Jules and Dee take a wild, comedic, and modern twist on Shakespeare in a play within a play showcasing the awkward mayhem that takes place behind the scenes at the Cherry Lane Theatre. Though it loses its way a bit at times, a spicy Jules by Julie Perrell and Delia Bannon as Dee make a fun pair and it features a refreshing twist ending.

New Ohio Dating Drama Shorts ‘Made in Heaven’ Photo credit New Ohio Theatre

Directed by Yiqing Zhao, Made in Heaven explores the mother daughter relationship and those relationships that are kept hidden from the world. Named after a café, Made in Heaven is a story about matchmaking, cupcakes and an undercover plot to unlock those secrets. Yiqing Zhao aptly portrays Serena’s firm and discerning mother Jo and delivers some intriguing scenes with Regina Ohashi as poker faced Ivy. Elizabeth Chang is likable as conflicted Serena, but this story leaves more questions than answers and would benefit from an extended version to get to know the characters better.

New Ohio Dating Drama Shorts ‘Me Myself vs I’ Photo credit New Ohio Theatre

Capturing a whirlwind of emotions including excitement, nervousness and anxiety especially exemplified in the landscape of today’s social media world, Uzunma Udeh as Zoom shows off comedic chops and charisma in Me, Myself vs I. Created auspiciously by Uzunma Udeh and Tamera Vogl, Me Myself vs I is a well done narrative within a zippy timeframe.

New Ohio Dating Drama Shorts ‘Red’ Photo credit New Ohio Theatre

Directed by Katia Koziara and written by Phoebe Dunn with Ben Brown, Red swiftly turns up the heat as Phoebe Dunn and Ben Brown embark on what becomes an unorthodox date. Though the two develop some tension as the film progresses and boasts a clever title, knowing the characters better would have made the film a bigger thrill.

New Ohio Dating Drama Shorts ‘You Can Kiss Me’ Photo credit New Ohio Theatre

Two unhappily married people think they have found hope in something new in You Can Kiss Me, a film by Jan Jalenak. Penelope, portrayed sympathetically by Brandi Nicole Wilson, thinks she has led a predictable life and longs to be adventurous and enigmatic Meg, portrayed by Ylfa Edelstein, tends to keep her personal life close to the hip. Though the film leads to some implausible scenarios, Brandi Nicole Wilson delivers stirring scenes with both Edelstein and Andrew Elvis Miller as Paul. The film’s intensity is enhanced by music composed by Jay Purdy including Jensen Smith’s Cello Kiss.

New Ohio Dating Drama Shorts ‘Intimacy Workshop’ Photo credit New Ohio Theatre

What starts out as an absorbing comedy takes an unexpected turn in Intimacy Workshop, written and directed by Eddie Prunoske. To the soothing sounds of Clair De Lune, a dynamic assortment of men takes on awkward encounters in a workshop about the bonding experience. Intimacy Workshop has some light, comedic dialogue but could have done without a gory, embarrassing and over the top twist that veers the film off course.

REVIEW: Boston Children’s Chorus’ free virtual concert “Lift Every Voice: At the Table” ends season on a vibrant and hopeful note

Posted on June 4, 2021 by The Sleepless Critic

Transitions have been a strong theme over the past year and a half and with that brings forth a tumult of emotions. Staying true to this season’s theme, “Waves of Change,” the Boston Children’s Chorus depict a vibrant range of emotions through songs of comfort, pressing contemporary issues and dreams of hope of everyone together again in their final concert of the season, Lift Every Voice: At the Table.

Photo courtesy of Boston Children’s Chorus

Featuring special guest composers Sydney Guillaume, Omar Shahryar, and Layth Sidiq, Lift Every Voice: At the Table was live streamed for free on Sunday, May 30, but is still available to watch on their Facebook page, and YouTube channel. The concert also delivers information about their upcoming summer outdoor concert series, We Sing as well as information about the Kiser Scholarship, a memorial scholarship focused on community building and social healing.

Though each song offers its own message of hope and change, Natalie Hemby, Lori McKenna, and Brandi Carlile’s uplifting Crowded Table and Omar Shahryar’s The Journey of Feelings portrays the dream of unity while reflecting on uncertainty and the exhaustion of the journey through this pandemic from a child’s point of view. Crowded Table brings to life the dream and comfort of finally being together again at the table without worry by a roaring fire. It’s a sweet, joyous, and memorable song that you may never want to end.

The Boston Children’s Chorus Virtual Choir Photo courtesy of the Boston Children’s Chorus

Omar Shahryar’s catchy The Journey of Feelings has its amusing moments, but underneath the beat paints a startlingly perfect expression of what kids are feeling from day-to-day over the course of the pandemic. It’s an upbeat and urgent song providing insight into intense and overwhelming feelings and yet delivers a precocious sense of maturity expressing hope of life returning to normal. Omar Shahyar’s There’s a Change A-Coming further enhances this sense of gradual change as they navigate through these uncertain times.

Moving backdrops and colorful, innovative zoom cinematography enhance each song and it is wonderful to hear from Boston Children’s Chorus members from all levels and their reflections on the world. It is also a treat to see the chorus outdoors from bridge to beach to city singing together at various times over the concert’s duration, but this is especially wonderful to watch for Mavis Staples’s inspiring Build a Bridge and Layth Sidiq’s spiritual, haunting, and rhythmic Reflection.

John Mayer’s popular song, Waiting on the World to Change brings its signature insightful flair but BCC enhances this poignant song with a moving dedication to emergency workers and glimpses of the state of the world during the pandemic such as the closure of theatres, empty trains, and elbow bumps instead of hugs. Mayer’s timeless lyrics resonate profoundly while the world is in transition.

Delving into multiple languages and a unique, moving open, The Boston Children’s Chorus also reflects hope and uncertainty through the eyes of Migrants with Joel Thompson’s America Will Be as the BCC proclaims, “I lift my lamp beside the golden door.” Dany Rivera’s charismatic and powerful vocals depict struggle and determination with Gregory Porter’s Running (Refugee Song).

The Boston Children’s Chorus encapsulates distinctly what many are feeling at this time through their evocative vocals and strong messages while leaving this season on a hopeful note.

Click here for more information on how to join and support the Boston Children’s Chorus, their upcoming events, and digital offerings.

REVIEW: Normalcy takes an eerie detour in Hub Theatre Company of Boston’s ‘Solitaire Suite’

Posted on February 25, 2021 by The Sleepless Critic

One thing rings true: No good can come from a dying phone.

A dark highway and a last minute errand kick off the world premiere of Hub Theatre Company of Boston’s family-friendly supernatural thriller Solitaire Suite, a rich, engaging play by Trent England that explores a family’s strange occurrence over one evening. With a dreamlike and tense score that underlies its various twist and turns, Solitaire Suite’s relatable cast are just part of what makes this as alluring a zoom production as it would be a stirring podcast.

Directed by Daniel Bourque, Solitaire Suite is nestled between two Shakespearean productions in Hub Theatre Company of Boston’s current season. While Shakespeare’s Much Ado about Nothing thrilled audiences last year and next is Shakespeare’s Love’s Labour’s Lost in the spring, Hub Theatre Company of Boston took a break from soliloquies and bravado for this psychological thriller continuing on Hub Theatre’s YouTube page on live stream and on Hub Theatre’s Facebook page through Saturday, February 27. Tickets are on a pay-what-you-can basis. Click here for more information.

Solitaire Suite Screen Shot courtesy of Hub Theatre Company of Boston

Having seen a few of Hub Theatre Company of Boston’s productions, it is refreshing to see them present such a vast array of work over the years from period pieces to dark fantasy to southern rom-coms and now what is deemed twilight zone meets zoom.

Marty Mason bears most of the weight of this production as Celeste, a former city-lover turned suburban mother whose mysterious son keeps her guessing. She delivers a natural and nuanced performance, sharing the evocative, lively, and multi-layered account of her family’s evening. Cristhian Mancinas-Garcia is charismatic as Celeste’s quick-witted and laidback husband Pete and Michael Lin portrays their introverted and mysterious son, Tiger.

Solitaire Suite veers off into different directions and each detail is a window into each character’s psyche. The dramatic and haunting cinematography, with sound design and digital design by Kyle Lampe and Justin Lahue respectively, contributes to the production’s ominous and suspenseful tone that takes on not only some supernatural aspects, but the tension brimming just beneath the surface within this seemingly close family.

Solitaire Suite unpacks a lot within its under an hour runtime and though all your questions might not be answered, the production is thought-provoking well beyond the production’s close.

Solitaire Suite continues through Saturday, February 27 and is also available on Hub Theatre Company of Boston’s Facebook page. Click here for more information and their current production. Hub Theatre’s next production is Shakespeare’s Love’s Labour’s Lost this spring.

REVIEW: Liars and Believers’ inventive ‘Beyond a Winter’s Day’ aims to chase away pandemic blues

Posted on February 1, 2021 by The Sleepless Critic

It has been said, ‘Happiness is good food and good company.’

For those who miss hugs and some good company, Liars and Believers (LAB) in Cambridge, MA may have a cure for that with their interactive, virtual, and family-friendly production of Beyond a Winter’s Day continuing through Saturday, March 27. This production is offered on a pay-what-you-can basis. Click here for more information and for tickets. These are live streaming zoom performances that are scheduled at specific times.

Jason Garlick as Stanislav and Glen Moore as Fergus Photo credit to Liars and Believers

Directed shrewdly by Jason Slavick with video editing by Sam Powell, Beyond a Winter’s Day is more an experience than simply a theatrical production. What makes this experience rather unique is how cleverly it is put together. Not only does Beyond a Winter’s Day deliver a selection of insightful, creatively dynamic stories including an open-ended tale that ticket holders are encouraged to finish, but takes it one step further.

Before watching, ticket holders are offered three recipes that could be considered hearty comfort food for a winter’s day to be prepared prior to the production. The food is cleverly woven into the storyline and cast members enjoy the food with the audience during key points in the production, creating a multi-sensory experience.

Rachel Weise as Isabel Photo credit to Liars and Believers

Though a portion of the production is set in space, Beyond a Winter’s Day attempts to evoke the comfort you might feel sitting in front of a campfire while eating, conversing, and sharing stories. The colorful cast, portrayed by Rachel Wiese as Isabel, Rebecca Lehrhoff as Mishka, Glen Moore as Fergus, and Jesse Garlick as Stanislav, address the audience on occasion and the audience can respond via messaging. A marginally self-aware piece, each nuanced character that introduces the tales all react differently to being separated from their other cast mates and gradually learn how best to capture that light and feeling of togetherness once again.

Each tale is produced with varying creative styles and conveys a strong message about the underdog, judging a book by its cover, a campfire fable with unexpected attendees, and an open-ended story for you to finish.

Vasalise the Blessed Photo credit to Liars and Believers

Each tale possesses its own strengths, but Vasalise the Blessed, an original work written by Rachel Wiese, was a particular highlight. Its rich shadow puppetry boasts a passing resemblance to The Tale of Three Brothers in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I film. The haunting, detailed quality of this work is evident right down to the lattice pattern in Vasalise’s dress and the poignant story seems to come out of a set of dark fairy tales.

Jesse Garlick’s Malka and the Bahema is a fascinating Yiddish morality tale that involves a variety of puppetry including hand and finger puppets as Malka embarks on a harrowing journey to prove an entire town wrong and Kendra Bell’s mischievous and expressive costumes for a bedtime fable look like they walked right out of storybook.

Malka and the Behema Photo credit to Liars and Believers

Beyond a Winter’s Day also features its own version of musical storytelling in the live, upbeat, and relaxing acoustic rhythms from singer-songwriters Carlos Odria and singer Mali.

Liars and Believers present innovative Beyond a Winter’s Day through Saturday, March 27. This show is on a pay-as-you-like basis and streams live at scheduled times. Click here for more information and tickets.

REVIEW: Boston Children’s Chorus’ free MLK tribute concert ‘Born on the Water’ a stirring and hopeful virtual journey

Posted on January 27, 2021 by The Sleepless Critic

Although the Boston Children’s Chorus (BCC) could not physically be together this year for their annual concert, they certainly spiritually united in harmony through innovative zoom technology that helped make this remarkable concert a visual spectacle. Featuring renowned special guests in music and in the arts, The Boston Children’s Chorus composed a stirring, gripping, and hopeful collection of works including music and poetry honoring Martin Luther King’s historic day.

The 18^th Annual Boston Children’s Chorus concert tribute to Martin Luther’s King, Born on the Water was livestreamed on their website and Facebook on Sunday, January 17 at 4 p.m. The virtual concert is still available on their Facebook page and YouTube channel. Click here for more information on how to support the Boston Children’s Chorus, their upcoming events, programs, digital offerings, and how to join.

Boston Children’s Chorus’s 17th annual MLK Tribute concert Photo Credit to A Priori Photography/Boston Children’s Chorus

In under an hour, the free virtual tribute concert offered a selection of hymns, protest songs, and hopeful melodies. Broadway actor-vocalist Roman Banks delivered an incredible opening number with the Boston Children’s Chorus in a gripping rendition of the African American folk song, Been in the Storm as Banks exclaimed, ‘Give me Time to Pray.’

Broadway vocalist Roman Banks performed with the Boston Children’s Chorus for this year’s virtual concert, ‘Born on the Water’ Photo courtesy of Boston Children’s Chorus

African American Folksong Joy in my Heart, arranged and introduced by Dr. Rollo Dilworth of Temple University, was a beautiful and hopeful song made more enchanting by the visually-engaging technology and the heart shaped graphics that framed the adorable and angelic-sounding Children’s Chorus.

Boston Children’s Museum’s President Carole Charnow introduced the moving classic African American Spiritual Let Me Fly with Edith Mae’s poem written during for the Civil Rights Movement, Fight on Little Children in memory of Emmett Til.

BCC’s 16th Annual Martin Luther King’s Tribute concert, ‘She Persisted’ Photo credit to A Priori Photography/Boston Children’s Chorus

Other highlights included Nina Simone’s protest song, Mississippi Goddam introduced by KingBoston’s Executive Director Paris Jeffries. It was a fast paced, quick witted, impactful song mastered by the Boston Children’s Chorus and enhanced by clever, visually-engaging technology.

Boston Children’s Chorus dedicated Alicia Keys’s catchy, meaningful song Underdog to Frontline Workers and everyone who is risking their lives during the pandemic. The BCC delivered seamless harmonies accentuated by a beautiful montage of Boston.

Actress and vocalist E. Faye Butler performed with the Boston Children’s Chorus for this year’s MLK virtual tribute concert, ‘Born on the Water’ Photo credit to Boston Children’s Chorus

Adorned in an elegant dress, actress and soloist E. Faye Butler joined the Boston Children’s Chorus in a performance of Stevie Wonder’s poignant, yet uplifting rendition of Love’s in Need of Love Today. It was easy to hear the enthusiasm in Butler’s warm and soaring vocals as she sang, ‘Don’t delay/Send yours right away’ as the group offered a sorely needed message with such relevance today and so in tune with MLK’s continuing mission.

BCC’s Born on the Water is still available to stream on their Facebook page and YouTube channel. Click here to learn more about the Boston Children’s Chorus, their upcoming events, digital offerings, how to join, and how to support their mission.

REVIEW: Hub Theatre Company of Boston makes virtual ‘Much Ado about Nothing’ something special

Posted on December 2, 2020 by The Sleepless Critic

It was love in the time of Covid.

Hub Theatre Company of Boston puts a 2020 twist on Shakespearean romantic-comedy classic, Much Ado About Nothing. This lighthearted production not only battles the perils of love, but a modern-day pandemic.

Shakespeare was no stranger to the times we are living in today. He watched theatres close during the Great Plague of London in the 1600s and used his time wisely, writing King Lear, MacBeth, and Antony and Cleopatra during that time of isolation. Tailoring this romantic comedy into 2020 isn’t too far of a stretch, especially in the humorous and clever manner in which Hub Theatre approaches these changes, not taking themselves too seriously.

Hub Theatre Company of Boston offered live streamed performances of Shakespeare’s Much Ado about Nothing until November 21 on a pay-what-you-can basis. Astutely directed and adopted by Bryn Boice, the virtual performance is still available to watch on Hub Theatre Company of Boston’s Facebook page. Click here to learn more about Hub Theatre Company of Boston and their future productions.

It is difficult to put together a show in the best of circumstances so Hub Theatre of Boston smartly steered into the skid by presenting this classic production, developing what theatre would have considered obstacles into strengths using the power of Zoom. Romantic partners kiss (offstage), couples and groups schedule rendezvous in breakaway rooms, and masks are weaved right into the story varying from silly animals to refined Venetian costume masks.

Part of what keeps Much Ado about Nothing a relevant, insightful, and easily modern piece is its foundations inspired endless inspiration for contemporary rom-coms. Adding tech talk and Covid-speak such as ‘turn off the cameras,’ ‘swipe right,’ ‘privacy issues,’ ‘your mic is on,’ and ‘venmo to payment’ does not seem too out of place onstage or on a laptop. Its exuberant and mischievous tone steeped in romance, gossip, tricks, and trappings have universal and timeless appeal.

This lively cast zealously adapts the production’s modern charm as they deliver wit, humor, and ripening drama in equal measure. As Hero (Micheline Wu) is getting ready to marry Claudius (Jaime Hernandez), mutual friends decide to do some matchmaking of their own with sworn singles Benedick (Jon Vallente) and Beatrice (Lauren Elias).

Wu is natural, charming, and sympathetic as blushing Hero and she shares sweet chemistry with Hernandez who delivers a robust performance as lofty and serious Claudio. Sarcasm, wit, and banter are not lost on outspoken, headstrong, and stubborn Elias and Vallente, who exhibit crackling chemistry as Beatrice and Benedick. One favorite line Hub Theatre gloriously did not change was when Benedick asks Beatrice, “You take pleasure then in the message?” Beatrice replies, ‘Yea, just so much as you may take upon a knife’s point.’ Their bickering is as biting as ever.

Nettie Pickering brings gravitas to her portrayal as Don Pedro and providing contemporary comic relief are the hackers or in traditional terms the Watchmen led by officer Dogberry (John Kinsman) boasting a Boston accent. Kinsman’s conceited and controlling Dogberry is amusing on his own, but shines in scenes with his watchman, portrayed with streetwise sass by Borachio (Lorraine Kanyike) and Conrade (Jessica Golden).

Chelsea Kerl’s dynamic, edgy costumes and Justin Lahue’s bold digital design keep the show bright and buoyant even in its darkest moments…and there are a few. Michael John Ciszewski has a flair for portraying dastardly characters and his elitist, tyrannical depiction of Don John is no exception.

The revelations hold up and pay off in Hub Theatre Company of Boston’s modern adaptation of Much Ado about Nothing. A recorded version is still available on Hub Theatre Company of Boston’s Facebook page. The production is on a pay-what-you-can basis. Click here for more information on Hub Theatre Company of Boston and their eighth season.