American Repertory Theater of Western New York, Inc. invites you to give us your own review of our productions.
Please be constructive and submissions deemed to be offensive or improper will not be published.
OK, first of all, I need to say that, with the sole exception of the stateroom scene of the insane Marx Brothers' Night at the Opera, I have never been a big fan of the 1930's frantic movement and speech, "pip, pip", silk scarf, comedies, either the plays or movies, extolling the wealthy with too much time and too little sense.
Now, that said, I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed American Repertory Theater's production of THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER, by those moguls of Broadway in that era, George S. Kaufman & Moss Hart. And believe me, this was no easy trick to pull off. Posture, enunciation, accents, gestures, all the falderol required talent and concentration.
Of course, CHRIS STANDART, seems born to play the part of Sheridan Whiteside, a takeoff of Alexander Woolcott, the scion of radio in his day, devoid of any decency or heart. And play it he does to the nth degree. He is perfect and a joy to watch and hear.
There are a plethora of characters crowding the gorgeous stage (17? some of them doubling) and the comings and goings are brought off without a hitch. A word about the set: there are furniture originals from Roycroft, including some Tiffany lamps and F.L. Wright windows, and a brilliantly designed two-floors. You could see this play just for this set - and the costumes, which are opulent. I have no idea where they got those furs!!!! WOW!!!
I am not going to enumerate each part. Some are bigger than others, but all are excellently done. A lot of credit has to go to JEANNE CAIRNS who directed this romp. This play involved a hell of a lot of work, from everyone involved: (listed as per the program in order of appearance), KATHLEEN BETSKO YALE, TIM VOIT, DAVID GREER, JENNIFER FITZERY (a part I read for and could never have done as well), ALAINA MILLER, JOY SCIME, RONALD J.LEONARDI, KELLY FERGUSON MOORE, LISA DELVECCHIO, JIM MALOY, DARLEEN PICKERING HUMMERT, JEFFREY COYLE, IAN CAP, J.R. FINNAN, DOUG CRANE, LISA LUDWIG, and JOHN KACZOROWSKI.
The audience was truly wrapped up in this show, which is what all in theatre aim and hope for. Should you see it? Absolutely. You are not likely to see a like production anywhere at any time.
PRODUCTION CREW:
Director, JEANNE CAIRNS (Take a bow, Jeanne)
Set Design Consultant, RON SCHWARTZ
Lighting Designer, MICHAEL LODICK,
Costume Designer, CHRIS STANDART
Wardrobe Assistant, KERRYKATE ABEL
Stage Manager, BRIGID HANNON
Assistant Stage Manager, NANCY KEIGHORN
Publicity Photographer, PETER JASKOWIAK
Stage Construction Crew, BOB BALL, ERIN CAIN, BRIGID HANNON, ANDREW MICHALSKI, MATTHEW LA CHIUSA, THOMAS LA CHIUSA, NORM SHAM, RON SCHWARTZ, TODD WARFIELD
Lighting Crew: MICHAEL LODICK, JR., GRETCHEN LODICK, DAN REICHERT.
WHEW!!!!! WELL DONE PEOPLE!!!!
Mary of the Lofti
"An eggplant IS a shape!!"
The mission of the American Repertory Theater is two fold. First, the mandate of The American Repertory Theater is to produce both classic and contemporary theatrical works and support a new generation of playwrights. These productions are purposefully created through the innovative exploration of these selected works, thereby enhancing the cultural and intellectual experience of the theatergoer. Second, the American Repertory Theater will serve as a catalyst for community dialogue and action that will result in sustained economic growth and increase the collaboration within all sectors of our community.
