MOMologues...

Stageworks Theatre
by Lisa Rafferty, Stefanie Cloutier and Sheila Eppolito
Creative Loafing Space
Ybor City, FL


We each have a job in life. Whether you're a teacher, lawyer, physician or in some sort of sales there are things we enjoy and despise. But how many of us would truly complain about every aspect of a job and still say we love it?

MOMologues is a four character play presented as a stream of consciousness meets round table discussion about the ups and downs of motherhood. Each character takes a turn as expectant mother and describes the cheerful excitement of an impending bundle of joy and the harsh reality that follows. Not following a tradition beginning-middle-end play structure, MOMologues draws us in with it quick wit and brutal honesty.

Presented with a true ensemble cast, the ladies of the MOMologues each share the heartbreaking and heartwarming moments that make up motherhood. Without overshadowing another character, each actress performed both monologue and dialogue superbly. Each actress had equal amount of time between performing solo and cooperatively, which allows us to see the range of these talented actresses. Being brought to life by Jeni Bond, Rosemary Orlando, Susan Karsnick and L'Tanya Van Hamersveld, the cast of MOMologues overlap their dialogue just like the experience of motherhood can be for all who have and will experience it.

The Cast of MOMologues

I really enjoyed the stream of consciousness presentation of MOMologues. One thing I noticed about the show was the lack of connection with any one character. Even though in the playbill the characters are named, they never refer to one another as such. In a traditional play we may find ourselves rooting for or against the plight of a certain character. I feel the point of the show is to associate with all mothers and not with a particular character. Without having a single character to follow, it's refreshing to have a play that will live and die by the dialogue and not the actor. They close the show with the line "It's the hardest job I've ever loved", which succinctly encapsulates every tear of joy and/or outrage that comes with motherhood.

All in all I really enjoyed the show. From beginning to end, the cast presents an engaging and hysterical look at motherhood. A play like this only comes along every so often and I would recommend mothers as well as men to see this show. Painstakingly illustrating the ups and downs of becoming, being and having been a mother, MOMologues is surely not to be missed.

MOMologues plays through February 27th at the Creative Loafing Space located on the second floor of the Spaghetti Warehouse in Ybor City. With about one hundred seats, there won't be a bad seat in the house. If you wish to enjoy dinner before or after the show please know there is a 20% discount for all theatre goers, although you'll need the coupon at the Creative Loafing Space door to partake.

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Music of the Post - tool

Avenue Q...

by Robert Lopez & Jeff Marx

Golden Apple Dinner Theatre

Sarasota, FL

February 15th, 2011

You are twenty-two, and you live on Avenue Q. With a story full of colorful language and "did that just happen" moments, it's easy to forget the message of finding your purpose and realizing everything in life is only for now.

Set on the fictional street in Manhattan, Avenue Q takes us back to what it was like finding yourself after college. Presented with the puppeteers in full view, the show provides a unique musical experience once thought only for the child minded.

Avenue Q follows the story of Princeton as he moves to New York soon after obtaining his degree. Meeting his new neighbors Kate Monster, Brian, Christmas Eve, Trekkie Monster, Rod, Nicky and the superintendent Gary Coleman, Princeton navigates his new life while trying to find his purpose. Along the way we learn about Rod's closeted homosexuality and Trekkie Monster's not so secret past time. A heartfelt romance between Princeton and Kate Monster keep the story going among other hysterical situations intended for adults.

When asked to play multiple roles in a single production, the demand for top notch acting chops is paramount to the success of the show. With the exception of Brian and Christmas Eve, each cast member plays multiple characters. Playing the lead role is every actors goal and leading Golden Apple's Avenue Q is Berry Ayers. More often than not the lead actor is the anchor holding the show together, yet Ayers dubiously missed the mark. A pensive look for the majority of the performance, Ayers' lack of expressiveness was evident as I failed to connect with his characters Princeton and Rod. If Ayers' performance wasn't bad enough, Erik Emmerson's disconnected take on Brian was far less than stellar. Jenn Abreu, Ariel Blue, Alex Torres and Steve Dawson each gave fine performances as their respective character(s). The anchor for Golden Apple's Avenue Q was far and away Dianne Dawson as Kate Monster and Lucy the Slut. Dawson's pleasant and precise voice was a magnificent saving grace to this ultimately dismal production. If time helps the performance I can only imagine the wall of sound Dawson's Kate Monster may belt out towards the end of the run.

Golden Apple's cast of Avenue Q.

As a whole, I felt the cast of Golden Apple's Avenue Q failed to hit the mark of the shows potential, plain and simple. Knowing the show quite well, I could tell when lines were flubbed along with missed entrances and blown tech cues. I could go on and on with a litany of instances, but I'm sure the majority of them will smooth out as the show continues it's run. I noticed a pensive look among the actors at times and hoped for more expression and commitment to the show. As comedic as Avenue Q is, I found myself chuckling at the locked doors and microphone mishaps as opposed to the zingers I should have snickered at.

Even though I consider myself a theatre reviewer and critic at times, I must put on my foodie hat for a second and give credit where it is due with the buffet dinner before the show. Jambalaya, Roast Beef, Mashed Potatoes, and an adequate salad bar; you get the picture. Fantastic spread and well worth the price included with the show.

Don't get me wrong, I would recommend this show to anyone who hasn't seen it before. Although I was disappointed with Golden Apple's first attempt. Avenue Q once beat Wicked for the Tony Award for Best Musical. With that being said, the potential for Golden Apple to take over the Sarasota theatre scene is in their hands. If you are planning to see Avenue Q during it's run in Sarasota, I'd recommend waiting until the latter half of the run when the cast and crew has ironed out their timing to see it.

Avenue Q plays the Golden Apple Dinner Theatre through April 10th. Be advised if you plan to have dinner beforehand they stop serving thirty minutes before showtime. Don't forget to follow us on twitter and/or facebook for the latest on the performing arts community in the Tampa Bay area.

Music of the Post - tom gabel of against me!

The Odd Couple...

by Neil Simon
Jobsite Theater
Tampa, FL
February 3rd, 2011

Coined by many relationship experts far and wide is the widely accepted notion that opposites attract. Some people stay in the strangest of situations believing this simple yet dissertative ideal. Jobsite Theater yet again steps up to the plate and delivers with Neil Simon's Tony Award play The Odd Couple.

The Odd Couple tells the story of two divorced middle aged men living together in New York City and explores their differences amidst adjusting to cohabitation. Along with a loquacious round table of poker buddies and randy upstairs sisters, The Odd Couple provides laughter and engaging exposition from beginning to end.

Our story begins with the weekly poker game hosted by the messy and indifferent sportswriter Oscar Madison. Along with Murray, Roy, Speed and Vinnie, the group enjoys drinks and conversation while they wait for their last player Felix Ungar. The group receives a call from Felix's wife with deathly news about their marriage. Worried for his well being, the men devise a plan of consolation for Felix if and when he arrives. Once Felix arrives, the evening concludes with Oscar extending an invitation for his recently divorced friend to move in. After only three weeks of their dwelling, tensions rise as time only escalates their situation. Can Felix and Oscar settle their differences before they annul their arrangement?

Under the direction of Chris Holcom, at the helm of hits boom! and Night of the Living Dead, Jobsite's fresh take on a classic was in well abled hands. As if Jobsite went to a Felix Ungar convention and hand picked a carbon copy of the character himself, Paul J. Potenza delivers as the neurotic neat freak from start to finish. Balancing an act of downtrodden divorcee while contributing subtly comedic nuisances are no easy task over two hours. Well Done. Adding their voices along the play are Slake Counts, Jason Evans, Ward Smith and Michael C. McGreevy. I last saw McGreevy in Dead Man's Cell Phone and had zero tolerance for his delivery or presence, yet was humbly impressed with his no nonsense demeanor as Murray. I enjoyed watching his range as an actor. Bravo. Cheering up the stage for two short but important scenes are Katrina Stevenson and Summer Bohnenkamp-Jenkins as the Pigeon sisters. My honest opinion for the sisters was that their role was perfectly staged. Any more of them may have turned asinine, but clever playwriting kept it fresh. The anchor for this show was hands down Shawn Paonessa as Oscar Madison. Paonessa's prowess to convey apathy and compassion both in the first act was wonderfully executed. And just like everyone who doesn't consider themselves a "neat freak", Paonessa's comedic yet direct expressions convey everything we think. Congrats on another strong portrayal.

I found Jobsite's incarnation of Neil Simon's classic play to be on point, even five decades after the initail Broadway premiere. With updated language and modern references, any one going to see this play should enjoy the struggle of patience along with cleverly time comedic zingers. As I mentioned before, I enjoyed the range from actors I've seen before and as well as the classic convention of strong dialogue. The Odd Couple is presented solely in Oscar's living room, but I was never left asking to see anything else in the story. With dialogue as engaging as Simon's and the stellar execution of Jobsite's cast, The Odd Couple is surely on the short list of their best this year.

The Odd Couple plays through February 27th at the Shimberg Playhouse, nestled quietly in the Straz Center for Performing Arts. I received notice this show was held over before opening night, which suggests you should find tickets sooner rather than later. I tip my cap again to the Jobsite cast and crew.

Don't forget to follow us on twitter and/or facebook for the latest on the performing arts community in the Tampa Bay area. Also, stay tuned for a chance to join me at a show!

Music of the Post - jonny craig