Reviews - Alchemy - Theatre Company Of Manhattan

PAST PERFORMANCES

CAST
Helen... Christa Kimlicko Jones
Frank... Judson Jones

Playwright... L. Pontius
Director... Padraic Lillis
Production Stage Manager... Jessica J. Felix
Set & Costume Design... Lea Umberger
Lighting Design... Sarah Sidman
Sound Design... Jill BC Du Boff
Props Design... Ashley Gagner
Voice & Dialect Coach... Kohli Calhoun
Press Representative... Kevin P. McAnarney/KPM Associates
Production Consultant... R. Erin Craig

April 11 - May 4, 2008
Premiere
at The Kirk Theater, Theatre Row

"Umbrella succeeds admirably... the two cast members act up a storm."-- Variety

"Judson Jones is an expert at nervous behavior, never overdoing it. Some of his facial expressions are heartbreaking...The highlight of the production is a rainstorm, which showcases the striking lighting design by Sarah Sidman... the Alchemy Theatre Company could have a profound piece on their hands." --nytheatre.com

"[A] promising new play... Christa Kimlicko Jones has a powerful presence... stunning design... crackling moments of theatricality" -- Theatermania

"The two actors are wonderful. Christa Kimlicko Jones embodies every sad hipster who wishes the city was more forgiving. Even when silent, she speaks volumes. Judson Jones plays a wonderful nebbish who expected something more than pushing paper; his little tics are a delight to watch as he attempts a connection with someone as emotionally bruised as he. Padraic Lillis directs with a firm hand, every moment is clear and concise. Set and costumes by Lea Umberger are exquisite. Her startlingly realistic rooftop is beautifully set off by an impressionistic riot of windows. And bravo to her for making it rain on an off-Broadway stage. The costumes are all in shades of grey to indicate the character's ghostly desperation. Sound by Jill BC Du Boff is also fantastic- giving the ambient noise of a city, with occasional car honks and thunder to set off certain moments. "--broadwayworld.com

**Umbrella**

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CAST
(in order of appearance)

Act 1, Spring 1966:
Rick Childress... Judson Jones
Toni Childress... Christa Kimlicko Jones
Copeland... Doug Sheppard

Act 2, Summer 1981:
Rick Childress... Jeremy Stuart
Rafael Lamas... Morgan Baker
Aggy Taylor... Shorey Walker

Act 3, Fall Present:
Rick Childress... Richard Mawe
Maggie Falls... Kymberlie Stansell
Toni Childress... Kathleen Huber

Playwright... David Wright Crawford
Directors... Benard Cummings & Judson Jones
Production Stage Manager... Joseph Mitchell Parks
Set Design... Terry Gipson
Lighting Design... Jessica M. Burgess
Costume Design... Benjamin Taylor Ridgway
Composer/Sound Design... Scott O'Brien
Voice & Dialect Coach... Christa Kimlicko Jones & Kohli Calhoun
Press Representative... Kevin P. McAnarney/KPM Associates
Casting Director... Laura Maxwell-Scott, C.S.A.
Technical Director... Gregg Bellon/Production Consolidated

November 30 - December 23, 2007
New York Premiere
at The Beckett Theater, Theatre Row

"A lovingly crafted celebration of an endangered species, the American farmer working his own land... terrific performances... First-Rate"-- Backstage (Critic's Pick)

"A captivating drama... stellar cast... 'Harvest' not only gives you an even deeper respect for those who farm our lands; it also compels you to re-evaluate your own circumstances to make sure you are honoring your traditions and beliefs. Now that's theatre!"--Electronic Link Journal

This production by Alchemy Theatre Company of Manhattan is relentless in painting the portrait of an emotionally frayed, but devoted and unwavering man... a substantial production that deserves to be seen... sharp co-direction... Christa Kimlicko Jones communicates an exuberance and zest for life that warms the stage... [Shorey] Walker is part Hilary Swank, part Jodie Foster, and part Reba McIntyre"-- Talkin' Broadway

"A gorgeous new production by Alchemy Theatre Company"--United Stages

**Harvest**

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CAST
Ozzie Ann...Blanche Baker
Harry...Frank Deal
Et...Nick Westrate
Hazel...James Duane Polk
David...Corey Sullivan
Liat...Susan Gross
Larry...Frank Deal
Fr. McGillicutty...Michael Cyril Creighton

Playwright...Christopher Durang
Director...Robert Saxner
Production Stage Mgr...Syche Hamilton
Set Design...Amanda Rehbein
Lighting Design...Ku'uipo Curry
Costume Design...Abby O'Sullivan
Sound Design...Scott O'Brien
Vocal Coach...Christa Kimlicko Jones
Fight Director...Judson Jones
Press Representative...Kevin P. McAnarney/KPM Associates
Casting Director...Laura Maxwell-Scott
Technical Director...Keith Rubinstein
Publicity Photos...Trevor Oswalt Photography

January 8-23, 2007
New York Premiere
at Beckett Theater, Theatre Row

'A bracingly entertaining production... A revival of Christopher Durang's satire of war, family life and Bicentennial fever, on the 30th Anniversary of its debut at the Yale Repertory Theatre, swishes along at the speed of a Nascar race. Blanche Baker is a gem as an out-of-it 1970s matron who just can't dust off the Eisenhower era... played with a perfect honed dopiness by Blanche Baker, an actress who, it seems, would make you laugh if she asked you how to make soup... a terrifically droll performance by James Duane Polk.'-- New York Times (Critic's Pick)

'An eerie topicality... [an] effective production by The Alchemy Theatre Company... a piece of comical anarchy from a smart playwright whose impish tone scarcely conceals the darkness of his social satire...it certainly holds up very well as a testament to America's collective amnesia on military interventions...The company performs the comedy with high spirits, brightly animating Durang's all-too-true satire of our messy imperialistic tendencies back then -- and now.' -- Newark Star Ledger
'Remarkably relevant... When David (Corey Sullivan) shows up at the front door, blind and with a Vietnamese wife named Liat (Susan Gross), the absurd, comical quotient is cranked up until it threatens to explode through the cardboard walls (an inspired set choice by Amanda Rehbein)... the cast handles the story with ease and excellent timing...... Alchemy's production is noteworthy for its ability to make us nostalgic for a time when neurotics were on stage, not in power.'-- Backstage

Christopher Durang's The Vietnamization of New Jersey is suddenly and sadly topical again, with its parallels to the Iraq War. When I watched the performer who played Hazel, the Sabina-like maid (who's surely no Shirley Booth), I thought, "This kind of crazy part should be played by a guy in drag." And then I thought I'd better check my program. Yup, James Duane Polk is so marvelous and natural as Hazel that I really did think he was a she..." -- Theatermania

'Eerily relevant... twisted laughs... it's a pleasure to share in Durang's delightfully warped perspective.' -- Metro New York

"It is disturbing but impressive to see how powerfully Durang's message still resonates today in the Alchemy Theatre Company's revival. The absurdist satire forces reconsideration of the nature of the American family and the efficacy of American politics... Blanche Baker plumbs the depths of neurosis... Frank Deal's transition from pathetic Harry to macho Larry is astounding... James Duane Polk lights up the stage as Hazel... Vietnamization is a strong show, one whose incendiary statements cannot be ignored." -- Show Business Weekly

'[A] romping new production... holds no punches... a talented and energetic cast... one feels grateful to Alchemy Theatre Company for reintroducing this timely work... From the outrageous cardboard walls to the eating of cornflakes from an unzipped pair of pants, this Vietnamization for all seasons finds us laughing when we really want to cry.'-- United Stages

* Read the January 11th BACKSTAGE interview with Artistic Director Robert Saxner discussing 'Vietnamization' in the column NOW PLAYING by Leonard Jacobs.

* Read the February 19th interview with Christopher Durang by Adrienne Onofri at BROADWAYWORLD.COM.

**The Vietnamization of New Jersey**

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CAST
Mort Golman...Ken Baltin*
Henry Kohl...Gabriel Field
Susan Taylor...Stacy Fischer*
Ava Kohl...Lisa Morse*

Playwright...Zayd Dohrn
Director...Wesley Savick
Production Stage Manager...Heather Mumford
Set Design...Richard Wadsworth Chambers
Lighting Design...Steven McIntosh
Costume Design...Rachel Padula Shufelt
Sound Design...Steven McIntosh
Press Representative...Kevin P. McAnarney/KPM Associates
Publicity Photos...Kate Snodgrass & Ryan Connealy

* member of Actors' Equity Association

Presented at Classic Stage Company for Fringe NYC
Originally produced at Boston Playwrights' Theatre

'What Glengarry Glen Ross did for sleazy real-estate hawkers dueling for steakknives and blood, Dohrn does for his puryeors of "Permanent Whole Life" annuities they don't plan to honor... a sharp little dagger of a comedy... deliciously amoral'-- Boston Phoenix

'A tight little amoral tale...delightfully devious...Permanent Whole Life is worth a visit'-- NYTheatre.com

'A finely wrought black comedy... exquisitely written... Field and Baltin make an utterly indelible comedy team.'-- Broadway.com

'Permanent Whole Life is modern noir. A glimpse into the insidious treacheries that men can concoct. Dohrn crafts strong dialogue [and] an engaging story.'-- Backstage

'A pungent work... compellingly cynical.'-- New York Post

**Permanent Whole Life**

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CAST
Lucy Parsons...Squeaky Moore
Henry Gahagan...Morgan Baker
Albert Parsons...Dennis McNitt*
Mary Catherine...Birgit Huppuch*
Carter Harrison...D. Zhonzinsky*
Charles Spierling...Judson Jones*
John Bonfield...Morgan Baker
William Black...D. Zhonzinsky*
Jenny Hoan...Birgit Huppuch*
Daniel Hoan...Judson Jones*
Joseph Gary...Morgan Baker

* member of Actors' Equity Association

Playwright...Zayd Dohrn
Director...Robert Saxner
Production Stage Manager...Noel Webb
Set Design...Heidi Meisenhelder
Lighting Design...Stephen Sakowski
Costume Design...Victoria Tzykun
Composer/Sound Design...Haddon Givens Kime
Costume Supervisor...George Alberto Pires
Technical Director...Tad Clay
Press Representative...Kevin P. McAnarney/KPM Associates
Media Consultants...Ecommerce Partners
Publicity Photos...Trevor Oswalt Photography

December 8-23, 2005
New York Premiere
at The Beckett Theater, Theatre Row

'Morgan Baker is as affectingly tender as the doctor as he is intimidating in the role of Police Capt. John Bonfield. Judson Jones and Birgit Huppuch bring a suppressed anguish to their roles, an almost unbearable intimation of their [characters'] shattered possibility for happiness.'-- New York Times

'Dohrn bravely imagines the trauma of the event; [the] play raises plenty of essential and timeless questions. Judson Jones is excellent.' -- NYTheatre.com

'Compelling... [An] important piece of history.'-- Theatermania.com

'Dennis McNitt, Birgit Huppuch, and Judson Jones all do sensitive, understated work.'-- New York Sun

'Captivating... Direction by Robert Saxner skillfully interweaves the many scenes and different characters so that the tale can be experienced from both sides, and fabulous costumes by Victoria Tzykun authenticate the time period.'-- ELJ All Arts Annex

**Haymarket**

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CAST
Craig Donner ...Brian James Grace*
Mickey Marcus ...Ed Carlo*
Ned Weeks ...Tom Paitson Kelly*
David ...Larry Purifory*
Dr. Emma Brookner ...Kate Levy*
Bruce Niles ...Richard Lear*
Felix Turner ...Scott Galbraith*
Ben Weeks ...Chet Carlin*
Tommy Boatwright ...Marc O'Donnell
Hiram Keebler ...Brian James Grace*
Grady ...Larry Purifory*
Examining Doctor ...Brian James Grace*
Orderly ...Brian James Grace*
Orderly ...Larry Purifory*

* member of Actors' Equity Association

Playwright ...Larry Kramer
Director ...Robert Saxner
Production Stage Manager ...Norman Meranus*
Assistant Stage Manager ...Fabian Stephen
Set Design ...Justine Shih Pearson
Lighting Design ...Richard Latta
Cosutme Design ...Cynthia M. August
Technical Director ...Thomas J. Lenz
Press Representative ...Kevin P. McAnarney/KPM Associates
Press Associate ...Grant Lindsey
Graphic Designer ...Toni Barton

at Center Stage, NY

'[a] Spartan, moving revival... a stark, emotional honesty that lingers in the mind... it would be easy to miss the more refined points of "The Normal Heart." Mr. Saxner doesn't. He is less interested in the office and sexual politics that thread the play than in the people the issues consume... Mr. Kramer and Mr. Saxner force us to empathize with their flawed hero, whose redeeming quality is that at least in seeing the dimensions of the impending disaster, he happened to be right...a welcome revisiting of the work by Mr. Kramer...it is difficult not to feel a kinship with all of his characters.' --New York Times

'I was not prepared for the raw emotional power of the piece. This play cannot be performed too much. A very strong production... the play is so commanding... direction was smooth and seamless... performances so charged and focused that it is hard to believe they are acting.'-- SHOUT

'A powerful piece of political theatre... [the] current revival by the Alchemy Theatre group packs a punch. A dynamic, muscular production...' -- Backstage

'Kudos to the Alchemy Theatre Company... This is Kramer at his best'-- NYTheatre.com

'Mr. Kramer's voice through his play needs to be heard more than ever before. This play will shake you out of your seat, make you uncomfortable and challenge you. Strong direction... marvelous cast... some of the most impassioned and real performances.'-- LGNY

**The Normal Heart**

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CAST
Bobby Gould ...Rick Kaplan
Charlie Fox ...Michael Daly
Karen ...Gretchen Egolf*

* member of Actors' Equity Association

Playwright ...David Mamet
Director ...Robert Saxner
Production Stage Manager ...Kathleen O'Keefe
Assistant Stage Manager...Mark Alan Cajigao
Set Design ...John Farrell
Lighting Design ...James L. Vermeulen
Costume Design ...Sam Hamilton
Properties ...Autumn Backman
Fight Choreographer ...Rick Sordelet
Sound Design ...Dallas Roberts
Music Consultant ...Roger Raines
Technical Advisor ...Graeme McDonnell
Technical Assistant ...Peter Jones
Press Representative ...Kevin P. McAnarney/KPM Associates
Publicity Photos ...Jessica Katz

at ArcLight Theater

'As its inaugural offering... The Alchemy Theatre Company presented a tight-fisted production of David Mamet's Speed-the-Plow. Mr. Mamet chose well in letting Alchemy Theatre Company mount this revival. It turned his study of Hollywood detritus into theatrical gold.'-- Free Press

'A theatre troupe that's doing good work should NOT be a "best-kept" secret. It should be a well-known fact. So I plan to blow the lid on some companies that have made me flip my lid. How about the Alchemy Theatre Company... a best-kept secret that doesn't deserve to be.-- Theatreweek

'As potent and funny as ever... hilarious...David Mamet's theatrical essay on the slide of art into the muck of popular taste -- set, of course, in Hollywood -- shows no sign of aging.'-- Time Out New York

'A marvelous, savage satire of a brutal world... the actors are skillful... craftily staged.'-- New York Daily News

'David Mamet's satire of the macho world of movie production has been given a sturdy revival by the new Alchemy Theatre Company... a promising new theatre company.'-- Backstage

'Keen direction... Speed-the-Plow is the premiere production for the Alchemy Theatre Company, a risky choice of show to bet the ranch on and for that they are to be lauded. They are off to a fine start.'-- Punch In International (Conde Nast)