Flora Lynn Isaacson

Novato Theater Company just opened on November 29th with Daniel Sullivan and Seattle Rep’s madcap comedy Inspecting Carol, a backstage spoof of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. This play is about a small professional theatre company in a mid-size city of the Mid-West. The company strives to maintain funding, even as they suffer financial cuts. They learn that they will be inspected in order to receive a grant. As more and more things go wrong, the company tries to deal with each other while getting through the show.

According to Director James Nelson, “Inspecting Carol takes us backstage at the Soapbox Playhouse, a theatre once ripe with inspiration and alive with creative spirit. Years later, as the company works to churn out another Annual Christmas Carol, we see only remnants and distant reminders of the inspiration that once filled this house.”

Nelson is aware of the serious undertones of this delightful comedy. He directs his talented ensemble of 12 actors with a firm hand. He shows us how these dark undertones give substance and weight to the humor.

Act 1 deals with the rehearsal of A Christmas Carol. Act 2 shows us the actual performance, which is an extraordinary mix of anything that could go wrong at the worst possible time in front of the inspector who could give them a grant.

There are so many outstanding performances. First-place honors go to Nan Ayers, as the Stage Manager who runs the show and who also plays Martha Cratchet in the show within a show. Matt Farrell plays Wayne, the wannabe actor mistaken for the inspector. The company lets him make terrible changes because they think they will get money from the changes. Next up, Zorah Bloch is played by Maxine Sattizahn, excellent as an insane Lithuanian director. She is always very emotional. Rayan Dridi plays Luther, a very cute little boy too big to play Tiny Tim. He leaves halfway after Act 1 because he has booked a TV show. Shirley Nilsen Hall is fabulous as Dorothy, the British dialect coach who also plays Emily Cratchet. Her exercise with the lemon steals the show. Shirley’s husband well-known local director Norman A. Hall plays Sidney, who plays the ghost of Jacob Marley and Fezziwig. Jeffrey Orth plays Bob Cratchet. He is in love with Zorah due to their one-night stand. Milt Jordan, Jr., plays Walter, the company’s first black actor. He doesn’t know any of his lines. He plays all three ghosts and also steals the show with his dumb show facial expressions. David Shirk plays Kevin the company’s Financial Director. He is a nervous eater and tries to suck up to the inspector as much as possible. Chuck isen is Larry, a middle-aged man whose wife left him. He is the one who plays Scrooge. He buries all his emotions and, instead, acts out by trying to put “social justice” in the show. Tim Clover plays Bart, the guy who plays all the other males roles in the show. Last but not least is Shari Clover who plays Betty Andrews, the inspector. She watches Act 2 from on-stage, and her performance gives us a surprise ending.

All of the characters are well-rounded and wonderfully real – in their roles as far- from-perfect- actors with real personalities. Be sure not to miss Inspecting Carol for a fun-filled holiday treat.

Inspecting Carol will run from November 29 through December 21, 2014. All performances will be held at the NTC Playhouse, 5420 Nave Dr., Novato. Performances will take place at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, with Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. For tickets, call 415-883-4498 or go online to www.novatotheatercompany.org.

Coming up next at NTC will be The Bat by Mary Roberts Rinehart and Avery Hopwood from February 6th though March 1st, 2015.

Austen‘s Persuasion
Adapted by Jennifer Le Blanc at RVP

Popular English author Jane Austen (Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility) had a final novel Persuasion which has been brought to life by Marin native Jennifer Le Blanc and directed by Mary Ann Rodgers.

Anne Elliot (Robyn Grahn) is the 27-year-old over-looked middle daughter of the vain Sir Walter Elliot (Steve Price), an arrogant baron who spends excessive amounts of money. Eight years before the story properly begins, Anne is happily engaged to a Naval officer, Frederick Wentworth (Gregg Le Blanc – husband of Jennifer), but she suddenly breaks off the engagement when persuaded by her friend, Lady Russell (Rachel Kayhan) that such a match with a penniless man is unworthy. The breakup produces in Anne deep and long-lasting regret.

Wentworth re-enters Anne’s life when Sir Walter is forced by his own financial irresponsibility to rent-out Kellynch Hall, the family estate. Kellynch’s tenants turn out to be none other than Wentworth’s sister Sophia (Ellen Brooks) and her husband, the recently retired Admiral Croft (Clay David). Wentworth, who has just returned from sea, is now a rich and successful captain and has never forgiven Anne for rejecting him. While publicly declaring he is ready to marry any suitable young woman who catches his fancy, he privately resolves that he is ready to become attached to any appealing young woman with the exception of Anne. All of the tension of Persuasion revolves around one question: will Anne and Wentworth be reunited in their love?

Mary Ann Rodgers and her capable 20-member-cast give impressive performances. Robyn Grahn is perfect in the central character, and Greg Le Blanc is also wonderful as Capt. Wentworth. Rachel Kayhan begins the play as Lady Russell, the person who persuaded Anne to dump Wentworth. Notable performances from the talented cast also include Jayme Catalano, as Anne’s sister Elizabeth, Steve Price, as Sir Walter, Ellen Brooks as Sophia, Clay David, as Adm. Croft, and a superb actress, Anne Ripley in a cameo role as the dowager Lady Dalrymple.

Many of the actors stepped briefly out of character to deliver a running narrative connecting plot development that otherwise might have been difficult to follow. An easel stage-right informed the audience as to the locale of each scene (which would have remained a mystery). Set designer Malcolm Rodgers gives us an all-white set which becomes both indoor and outdoor locations. One nice special effect was twirling parasols when the characters rode in a carriage. The period costumes by Michael A. Berg were outstanding – absolutely stole the show. First produced after her death in 1817, Persuasion is the last of Jane Austen’s romantic novels. As adapted by Jennifer Le Blanc, Persuasion retains its own enduring charm.

Persuasion is running at Ross Valley Players from November 14 through December 14. Thursday performances are at 7:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday performances are at 8 p.m.; Sunday matinees are at 2 p.m. There will be Special Performances on Saturday, December 13th, at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. All performances take place at the Barn Theater of the Ross Valley Players at 30 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Ross CA. To order tickets, call 415-456-9555, extension 1, or go on line to www.RossValleyPlayers.com.

Coming up next at RVP will be Impressionism, a contemporary romance by Michael Jacobs, from January 16 to February 15, 2015.

Flora Lynn Isaacson

Award-winning Director Carl Jordan has brilliantly directly Avenue Q, which
recently opened at Novato Theater Company. This outrageous romp features
both puppets and human actors and is known for its high energy naughty fun.
Most of the characters in the show are puppets operated by actors on stage.
Both the human characters and puppet characters sing. This musical is set in
several tenements on a street in New York City. 

Avenue Q is an American musical in two acts, conceived by Robert Lopez and
Jeff Marx, who wrote the music and lyrics. The book was written by Jeff
Whitty. Avenue Q is a coming-of-age parable, addressing and satirizing the
issues and anxieties associated with entering adulthood. Its characters
lament that, as children, they were assured by their parents and children’s
television programs, such as Sesame Street that they were “special” and
“could do anything,” but as adults, they have discovered to their surprise
and dismay that in the real world their options are limited, and they are no
more “special” than anyone else.

Avenue Q opened on Broadway in July 2003 where it won three Tony Awards,
including Best Musical, Best Score, and Best Book and rated 23rd on the list
of longest-running shows in Broadway history.

Director Carl Jordan has put together a wonderful cast and crew for Avenue
Q: Robert Nelson from Leading Ladies is fabulous as Princeton, and Melissa
Claire fields the show as Lucy.  Dell Parker exhibits fine energy as Gary
Coleman. Set designer Michael Walraven has created a colorful inner city
with impressive lighting by Frank Sarubbi.  Special credit goes to Mary
Nagler who has done magical work with the creation of the puppets. Musical
Director Monica Norcia keeps the Avenue Q band moving at a brisk pace.

Avenue Q is a real treat for all of us – and judging by the warm welcome of
the house – will have a successful run.

Avenue Q will run from October 10 to November 9, 2014, at the Novato Theater
Playhouse, 5420 Nave Drive, Suite C, in Novato.

Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. with Sunday matinees at 2
p.m.  For tickets, go online to www.novatotheatercompany.org or call 415
883-4498.

Coming up next at NTC will be “Inspecting Carol” by Daniel Sullivan, from
November 29 through December 20, 2014.

RVP OPENS 85TH SEASON WITH

THE FOX ON THE FAIRWAY 

By Ken Ludwig

The Fox on the Fairway is a hilarious farce by the incomparable Ken Ludwig (Lend Me a Tenor and Leading Ladies). The Fox on the Fairway takes us on a romp which pulls the rug out from underneath the stuffy members of a private country club. This play is a charmingly nutty adventure about love, life, and man’s eternal love affair with golf.

Bingham (Louis Schilling) President of the Quail Valley Country Club, is in a difficult position, less by finding out that his newly hired hand, Justin (Derek Jepsen) is in love with Louise (Lydia Singleton), the waitress at the clubhouse, but by finding out that the golfer he thought would play for his club has switched sides – recruited by his counterpart and opponent, the cocky and arrogant Dickie (Javier Alarcon), and the huge bet he had foolishly wagered is likely to be lost. Fortunately, he discovers that Justin is actually quite a good golfer and finagles his nomination.

Justin does not disappoint and has a huge lead, when close to its end the tournament is interrupted by bad weather. When Justin learns that Louise has lost the engagement ring he gave her – she accidentally flushed it down the toilet – he comes unglued. The game resumes the next day, but Justin loses the lead and, upset, takes an unfortunate swing, breaking his arm. Bingham is desperate, and the appearance of his wife Muriel (Sumi Naendran) complicates the matter, as she catches him much too close to Pamela (Eileen Fisher), his sex-starved Vice-President.

Can Bingham find a replacement for Justin to win the game, win the wager, and get his life in order? Come and see this madcap comedy at Ross Valley Players, and find out.

Julianna Rees, the Director, knows how to keep the machinery percolating –The Fox on the Fairway barrels along. Ken Rowland’s clubhouse set is suitably sporty, and the costumes by Michael A. Berg are swanky.

The Fox on the Fairway knocked one straight off the tee and hit a hole-in-one, as it mixes golf, romance and fashion, keeping the audience in stitches. The Fox on the Fairway began with a preview on Thursday, September 11th and will run through Sunday, October 12th. Thursday performances are at 7:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m.; and Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. All performances take place at the Barn Theatre, home of the Ross Valley Players – 30 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Ross CA. For tickets, call 415-456-9555, ext. 1, or visit www.RossValleyPlayers.com.

Coming up next at Ross Valley Players will be Jane Austen’s Persuasion, adapted by Jennifer LeBlanc, directed by Mary Ann Rodgers, from November 14th through December 14th, 2014.

Flora Lynn Isaacson

Our play first opens with a clever abridged version of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night and then proceeds to tell the story about two English Shakespearean actors, Leo Clark (Craig Christianson) and Jack Gable (Robert Nelson), who find themselves down on their luck, so they are performing “Scenes from Shakespeare” in the Moose Lodge circuit in the Amish county of Pennsylvania.

 When they hear that an old lady by the name of Florence (Christina Jacqua) in York, PA, is about to die and leave her fortune to her two long-lost English nephews, they resolve to pass themselves off as her beloved relatives and get the cash.

When they discover that “Max” and “Steve” are actually “Maxine” and “Stephen,” they continue on undaunted, in drag. Leo falls for Florence’s actual niece Meg (Laura Domingo), while Jack swoons over Florence’s part-time aide, Audrey (Laura Espino).

Florence recovers just as the pair arrives, but they decide to keep on, both to try to outlast her health and to stay close to the objects of their interest. Leo convinces Meg, who is enamored with Shakespeare and a fan of Jack and Leo, to put on a production at Florence’s estate, to give himself more of an opportunity to be with her, both as Leo and Maxine.  Meanwhile, Meg’s fiancé Duncan grows increasingly suspicious of the “leading ladies.”

With this play, Ken Ludwig again proves his reputation as the master of American farce, so well established with “Lend Me a Tenor.”

Craig Christianson steals the show as Leo Clark. His performance is varied, subtle and complex, far beyond such broad comedy. Leo’s dialects are quite different for each facet of his character: Shakespearean actor, actor not performing, lover, woman and actress. Christianson’s vocal performance never falters.

Robert Nelson, as Jack Gable, is in control at all times – knowing how much of Gable’s frustration to show each of the other characters and how much to demonstrate to the audience. He has some priceless stage business as the deaf and dumb Stephanie about how she is to understand someone else speaking.

 There are so many other highlights. This is a show in which the wise-cracks come only from smart alecs, and chief among them is Doc Myers, portrayed by the amazing Michael Walraven.

Laura Domingo walks a more subtle line as Meg.  Neither hard-boiled nor dim-witted, Meg is serious and smart and concerned with the interplay of honor and desire. David Kester plays the Rev. Duncan Woolery as oily and superior.

Marie Meier’s and Janice Deneau’s costumes are wonderful, and Michael Walraven’s set is a masterpiece. Superbly staged and paced by Kris Neely, Leading Ladies at the Novato Theater Company is magnificently realized.

Leading Ladies opened on August 22^nd and will play through September 14^th, 2014, at the Novato Theater Company. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. NTC is located at 5420 Nave Drive in Novato. For tickets, call 415-883-4488, or go online at www.novatotheatercompany.org.

Coming up next at NTC will be Avenue Q, with music and lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx and book by Jeff Whitty, from October 9^th through November 9^th, 2014.

For the final production of their 2013-1014 season, Ross Valley Players is presenting “Old Money,” a comedy of manners that explores the differences between “old money” and “new money” in New York City, by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning-author Wendy Wasserstein.

Under the imaginative direction of Kim Bromley, in an appropriately gorgeous house designed and built by Michael Walraven and showcasing a Gary Marsh sculpture, the company of 8 actors are all double-cast because the play is set in two eras, the early 1900s and the beginning of the 21st Century. These 8 actors move effortlessly from one time period to the other at a dinner party in a lavish mansion on the fashionable Upper East Side of Manhattan.

The host, Jeffrey Bernstein (Geoffrey Colton), a contemporary master of high risk arbitrage in the present day, alternates with Arnold Strauss at a previous dinner party in the past. So it goes with the rest of the cast. Bernstein’s guests of today include a Hollywood director Sid Nercessian (Johnny DeBernard) who becomes the outspoken robber baron Tobias Pfeiffer in the past. Bernstein’s aggressive publicist, Flinty McGee (Karen Leland), becomes socialite Florence DeRoot in the past. Film director Sid Nercessian’s wife Penny (Trungta Kositchaimongkol), an online lingerie designer, becomes Betina Brevoort, in the past. Other guests include the film director’s rebellious daughter Caroline (Gillian Eichenberger) who alternates as the maid Mary Gallagher, also in the present. Robin Wiley plays the not-so-cutting-edge sculptor, Saulina, who becomes Sally Webster, in the past. Veteran actor Wood Lockhart portrays the academic Tobias Vivian Pfeiffer III who taught the history of New York City for 50 years in the present and becomes the architect Schuyler Lynch, in the past. Observing the whole play and commenting to the audience is Jeffrey’s college-age-son, Ovid Walpole Bernstein (Jesse Lumb, in a great performance).

Trips to the garden allow these 8 actors to switch into the costumes required for their double roles. Having this happen so often is confusing for the audience. This applies to all 8 actors and the 16 characters they play. In this continual dance of rich story-telling and social commentary, it becomes strikingly clear that while old money has become new, little else has changed over the years.

“Old Money” is running at Ross Valley Players from July 17 through August 17, 2014. Performances are Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., with Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. All performances take place at the Barn Theatre home of the Ross Valley Players, located at 30
Sir Francis Drake Blvd. in Ross CA. To order tickets, call 415-456-9555, extension 1, or visit www.rossvalleyplayers.com.

Coming up next at Ross Valley Players to begin their new season will be “The Fox on the Fairway,” a hilarious farce by Ken Ludwig, September 12 through October 12, 2014.