S.T.A.R. LIGHTS A FIRE
UNDER “IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST”
Written by: Colin Bruce Munro Wood – 05/05/2016 – 9:38PM
ET
The
Southern Tier Actors Read, S.T.A.R., has taken over the Cider Mill Playhouse,
by storm, and is pressing out their own bit of witty humor, professional
acting, and must see theater!
Tonight, although limited to one and half acts, due to
personal health, I and the rest of an audience of about 30 plus, were treated
to a first act tennis match, that bounced, wittingly, sarcastically, humorously,
and charmingly between the two main characters in Oscar Wilde’s, original
121-year old performed play.
Charles Berman as Algernon Moncrieff, took charge of
the stage from the outset, and captured his audience with depth of
characterization, humor, and a comfortable ease that seemed to flow right off
the feelings of the audiences’ responses at hand. He ebbed and flowed with his fellow cast
members, and the audience responses at the same time, which endeared us closer
to his role.
Rich Bocek was no slouch himself, as the also charming,
and humorous, almost to the point of breaking up himself it seemed at times, as
John Worthing, J.P., “Earnest”, “Jack”, or whoever you wanted to call him. Rich also seemed to slip into his character
more and more, as the act went on.
Sometimes, slips of lines, which are to be expected in just a single
night read, were worked into the character, as though, it was just the way he
spoke. Almost a misshapen style of
speech, as though he bled from the mouth profusely. Something, Oscar Wilde, no doubt was going
for in the bumbling character.
Bill Taylor gave a perfect performance as Lane, the
drab old man servant of Moncrieff’s, with a perfect sense of timing and
sidekick comedy, you’d hope for.
Judy McMahon was her usual perfect self, and classic
artiste at her craft, in the role of Lady Bracknell. Filed with great timing, a true sense of
realism, McMahon had the audience snickering and cracking laughter often, and brought
on a well-deserved round of applause upon her exit.
Andrea Gregori was splendid as Gwendolen Fairfax, Lady
Bracknell’s daughter, and used her sly wit and devilish charm to convince “Earnest”
to ask for her hand in marriage. Andrea
spoke with great timing and clarity, and her deep sense of who the character
was shined through.
Jean Graham as Cecily Gardew, never ceases to amaze me
in whatever she performs in the Sothern Tier.
Jean’s prudence, and particulars on stage, in developing her character,
and her sense of wit, beauty, charm, and all the talent that she wraps up in
one large package of what should make her quite famous, to be honest, bursts
forth in her charming, yet also fiendish rendition of Cecily.
Carolyn Christy-Boyden was hysterical in bringing to
life a small character in Miss Prism, and caused me to chuckle pretty hard, at
her perfect deliverance of her lines.
Directed by the always prestigious and wonderfully talented
Judy McMahon, S.T.A.R.’s performance was honestly, and “Earnestly” fantastic. The dialogue bounced back and forth, there were no dead spots, and the deliverance of every line was spot on, and funny as can be! I hope to see the audiences for his group’s
performances grow, and that the same audiences that usually pack the Cider Mill
Playhouse catch on to the fact, that there are other amazingly professional
acting groups in this area, whom even when reading from a script in front of
them, can get you lost in another world for just a small time, and help you
escape your real life for a little while!
Wood News Agency, LLC
Binghamton, NY
https:woodnewsgaency.blogspot.com
wood news agency, LLC honest and true daily on google
search engine li.com
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please leave your comments here! We have finally opened up this choice! Thank you!!!