A Review of Into the Woods

photo by Jackie Blake Jensen Photography

by Sharon Falduto  

Iowa City - Stephen Sondheim’s 1986 musical Into the Woods has cast a powerful spell on audiences for nearly 30 years and is always popular in revival, which is why the corridor was able to support two performances of the show in the same season that Disney released a movie.

My 11 year old daughter sold Girl Scout cookies to the cast of City Circle Acting Company of Coralville’s Into the Woods when they were still rehearsing in their street clothes. Without the benefit of props, costumes, or set, she stood enthralled as the actors dug into the prologue of the piece. Naturally, she was my accompaniment for the premiere of the show on April 24, 2015.

The show interweaves and overlaps several Grimm fairy tales. We see Cinderella, longing to go to the King’s Festival but hindered by her wicked stepmother and stepsisters. Jack, of future Beanstalk fame, and his mother are in desperate need of food, and his mother demands that he sell his pet cow, Milky White. Little Red Riding Hood is off to visit her Granny, but runs into some trouble along the way. A childless Baker and his Wife long for the child who does not come. A wicked witch explains that she has cast a spell on the Baker’s family that his household will always be barren (which, if you think about it, is a pretty short-sighted spell). The only way to overcome the spell is for the Baker to retrieve four objects; “the cow as white as milk, the cape as red as blood, the hair as yellow as corn, and the slipper as pure as gold.”

A Review of Romance/Romance

by Meghan D'Souza
 

Photo by Emily McKnight

Iowa City - Lean in, I've got a secret. I've had a long week and wasn't sure that I was in the mood for two one act musicals. On a normal day, I'm excited to see a play or musical that I've not heard of, but on Friday? My brain was on cruise control and wanted to be spoon fed something familiar in a familiar format:

Enter theatre.
Sit.
Watch.
Become engaged.
Enjoy a cookie during intermission.
Consider favorite parts, why they are favorites, and what I hope to see more of in second act.
Sit.
Watch.
Contemplate feelings of play.

ITAC Offers New Acting Program for Seniors

Amana - A new project is being offered at the Iowa Theatre Artists Company in Amana that is designed specifically for people 55 and over who are interested in having fun doing something they have always wanted to try but never got around to it: Acting in front of other people. The group is called Over the Speed Limit Players and will begin to meet in May.

Staged Reading of The Liar Paradox at Coe on April 23

Cedar Rapids - The Coe College Department of Theatre Arts will present a staged reading of the first-prize winner in the 2015 Coe Playwriting Competition. The reading of The Liar Paradox by playwright Kristin Idaszak will take place in Dows Theatre on Thursday, April 23, at 4 p.m. It is free and open to the public, with a discussion to follow the reading.

Backstage with Romance/Romance

Photo by Emily McKnight

Iowa City - This weekend, the Iowa City Community Theatre will present a lesser known musical, Romance/Romance, book and lyrics by Barry Harman and music by Keith Herrmann. The show wasn't originally part of their season, but a replacement for the large cast show The Man Who Came to Dinner, which was canceled when the theatre couldn't find enough actors. By contrast, Romance/Romance has only four actors, all of which play two roles in the show. They are Colin Nies as Alfred/Sam, Stephanie Fahey as Josefine/Monica, Brett Borden as "Him"/Lenny, and Kristina Rutkowski as "Her"/Barb. We had the opportunity to ask Jaret Morlan, the director of the show, a few questions. Here's our look backstage.

Footliters' Pinocchio - Only Two Performances This Weekend!

Coralville - The Young Footliters will present Carlo Collodi's Pinocchio, as adapted by Kathryn Schultz Miller, this Friday April 17 at 7:00 PM and Saturday April 18 at 2:00 PM at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts. The production features performers in grades K-4 and is directed by Jean Grewe. Tickets are $5 for youth and $7 for adults.

According to director Jean Grewe, "It has been a total joy and blessing working on this show! The kids are acting, building the sets, and working as running crew; they have really been involved in every part of the show, and are having a great time doing it! And the parents have really stepped up as well - costumes, props, set, working backstage, helping in the Green Room, you name it, they did it!"

Tickets are available through the CCPA Box Office at 319-248-9370.

A Review of Billy Bishop Goes to War

by Gerry Roe

Amana - At the talk-back after the first performance of this production, one of the first questions from the audience asked if Billy Bishop was a real person. As the actor responded (and as I knew from a little preparatory reading), Billy Bishop was indeed a real person, a Canadian pilot who flew fighter planes in World War I and again in World War II. Bishop lived from 1894 to 1956 and was Canada’s leading flying ace.

Billy Bishop survives in a play by John Gray in collaboration with Eric Peterson who provided music as accompaniment and as songs. I have to admit I didn’t expect this. I had anticipated Billy singing songs of the period such as It’s a Long Way to Tipperary and, perhaps, the Canadian national anthem (years before the current anthem, O Canada). Instead, there was musical support brilliantly provided by Andrew Crowe, accompanist and narrator. Crowe’s musical talents are impressive, not only on the piano but on the harmonica and violin. He also supports Vaughan Irving (Billy Bishop) in some of the songs. Irving and Crowe bring Billy Bishop vividly to life on the tiny stage of Old Creamery Theatre’s Studio Theatre.

A Review of Housebroken

by Matthew Falduto

Iowa City - Of all the theatre adventures an actor could embark upon, a solo show is perhaps the most daunting. One of the most wonderful aspects of acting is its collaborative nature. When you're acting with someone, you get to feed off of their energy, build a scene together, connect in a way that 'real life' does not always allow. A solo show is completely different. You are on your own. Every eye in the theatre is on you the entire time. It takes guts, incredible stage presence, and endurance. Fortunately, Iowa City is lucky enough to be home to a shining solo star - Megan Gogerty. Her newest show, Housebroken, premiered last week at Riverside Theatre.The opening night performance was a joy to experience, filled with humor and a witty examination of some of the foibles of our lovely city.

Cornell College and NYC's Puppet Kitchen Collaborate on a New Show

Photo by Cornell student, Robyn Covnot

Mount Vernon – The Department of Theatre at Cornell College is proud to announce their upcoming world premiere, Pictures at an Exhibition. This production was created through a two month collaboration between the Cornell College Department of Theatre and the New York City based theatre company, Puppet Kitchen. This family friendly production spins a tale of friendship, loss and adventure told through an extraordinary combination of puppetry, video and live performance. Directed by guest artist Emily DeCola, and featuring guest artist Eric Wright as Puppet Captain, this production was inspired by the paintings of architect and artist Viktor Hartmann and the music of Modest Mussorgsky.

City Circle Presents Into the Woods April 24-May 3

Coralville - Venture back Into the Woods as City Circle Acting Company of Coralville presents the Tony Award-winning musical classic by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine, April 24-May 3 at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts.

Follow a baker and his wife as they struggle to meet the demands of a vengeful witch so that they may have their hearts’ desire—a child of their own. On their journey in and out of the woods, they meet a woman fleeing a ball, a girl with extraordinary hair, a cow-sick boy, a sweet-loving granddaughter, a couple of princes, and at least one giant.


"I remember listening to the cassette tape of the original cast in 1987 before ever seeing the show on stage. I imagined what the show would look like--how the stories would be told in the theater. I'm thrilled to be able to work with this all-star cast to bring this vision finally to life,” says director Chris Okiishi. “Even though these are Fairy Tale characters and the stories are firmly based in the Brothers Grimm, I think our audiences will relate in a very real way to the characters' triumphs and struggles. And who hasn't wondered what happens after 'Happily Ever After'?"

Black Hawk's Cast for Cat in the Hat Announced

Waterloo - The Black Hawk Children’s Theatre has cast 9 local young artists in their upcoming production of Dr. Seuss’s The Cat in the Hat. Production dates are April 17 & 24 at 7 pm and April 18 & 25 at 2 pm.

Julia Corbett is cast in the title role of THE CAT. She is a 9th grader at Peet Junior High. She is making her debut here at Black Hawk Children’s Theatre although she has acted previously with the Parabola Youth Theatre Group. Julia enjoys studying language and music.

Housebroken's World Premiere is April 10

Iowa City – The world premiere of Megan Gogerty’s solo show Housebroken opens this Friday, April 10 at Riverside Theatre and runs through April 26.

You might remember Megan's previous one woman shows, Feet First In The Water With A Baby In My Teeth and Hillary Clinton Got Me Pregnant, both of which she performed on Riverside's stage. Back in 2011, about Feet First... I wrote:

I have seen Megan perform many times in the past - she's fearless. It's clear from James Trainor's review that fearlessness continued in this show: "Gogerty's acting style is unabashed, heightened and resourceful... She throws herself completely into a bit, commanding the full stage with ease and energy." But it's not just her acting, but her writing that is fearless. In this show she dared to ask, "Is motherhood worth it? Do you regret it?" And according to one friend who saw the show, she did not provide a glib answer, but rather delved into the complexities of emotion involved in being a parent.

Billy Bishop Opens April 9

Vaughn Irving as Billy Bishop. Photo by Lily Allen-Duenas

Amana- Billy Bishop Goes To War opens April 9 and runs through April 26 on the Old Creamery’s Studio Stage, with shows on Thursdays and Sundays at 2:00 pm and on Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30 pm. There will be a special Saturday matinee on April 11 at 2:00 pm. There will not be an evening performance on April 11. The Old Creamery Theatre’s Studio Stage is and intimate venue that features classics and new, exciting, and fresh material as well located in Middle Amana at 3023 220th Trail.

From a rowdy, unruly, and impetuous youth to a respectable, venerated veteran, Billy Bishop Goes To War follows a boy’s journey into manhood. Canadian WWI fighter pilot, Billy Bishop, defies all expectations and becomes a top ace — a “ hero in the sky.” With laudable historical accuracy and catchy tunes, this play illustrates Bishop’s intimate thoughts about his odyssey through the turbulent trials and tribulations of war. Billy Bishop Goes To War is written by John Gray and Eric Peterson. The show stars Vaughn Irving as Billy Bishop and Andrew Crowe as the narrator and pianist.

Tickets are $30 for adults and $18.50 for students. Call the box office for tickets and information at 319-622-6262 or go here.

A review of Clybourne Park

by Matthew Falduto
 
Cedar Rapids - I love spaces like the Grandon Studio. It's a wonderfully intimate space that allows Theatre Cedar Rapids to present lesser known shows that might not sell out the huge auditorium located above. Shows like for colored girls... and Doubt, not to mention the annual Underground New Play Festival, play better in an intimate space like the Grandon Studio. Bruce Norris' Clybourne Park, a thought provoking play about race, is a perfect Grandon Studio show.

DC Players' Harvey runs April 10 and 11

Bloomfield - The Davis County Players have been hard at work on the 2015 spring play, Harvey, which will be presented Friday and Saturday, April 10 and 11 at 7 p.m. at the Iowa Theatre in Bloomfield.

Harvey is a three-act comedy written by Mary Chase and was first performed on Broadway in 1944. Chase received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for the work in 1945. It has been adapted for film and television several times, most notably in a 1950 film starring Jimmy Stewart. The most recent Broadway revival featured Jim Parsons, from the TV series "The Big Bang Theory." The play is appropriate for families and children and adults of all ages.
 

Pride and Prejudice Opens at Coe April 10

Cedar Rapids - The Coe College Department of Theatre Arts will present Pride and Prejudice, a romantic comedy based on a timeless novel. The play will be staged April 10-12 and 16-18 in Dows Theatre on the Coe campus. All performances begin at 7:30 p.m. with the exception of the Sunday, April 12 show, which starts at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 for general admission and $8 for students and seniors. They can be purchased at the door, or by calling the Coe College Box Office at 399-8600, Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Jane Austen’s timeless classic novel about the romantic entanglements of Mr. and Mrs. Bennett’s five daughters springs vividly to life in Jon Jory’s highly theatrical adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. There is never a dull moment in the lives of this delightfully eccentric family. The Coe production features an all-student cast, and it is directed by Coe Professor of Theatre Arts Steven Marc Weiss. For more information, call 319-399-8600 or go here.

Musical Murdery Myster event at Landmark Commons

Waterloo - The Drama-To-Go players of the Waterloo Community Playhouse are teaming up with Friendship Village to hold a “Musical Murder Mystery” audience participation event at Landmark Commons, 1400 Maxhelen Blvd in Waterloo. The action of the play occurs at the engagement party for a judge’s daughter, and her fiancé, a wealthy toilet paper salesman. The action becomes even more hilarious when the bride-to-be’s brother, due to a brain injury, believes he is cast in a Broadway show and sings all of his dialogue.

The show will have performances on Saturday, April 18 at 6 pm and Sunday, April 19th at 2 pm. Saturday’s performance includes a four course meal prepared by Landmark Commons Executive Chef and staff; Sunday’s performance includes an exquisite dessert bar and gourmet coffees.

Ticket for Saturday’s dinner and performance are $45.00 and tickets for Sunday’s desserts and performance are $30.00. Proceeds from the shows benefit the Waterloo Community Playhouse and the Alzheimers Association. Tickets can be ordered by calling Landmark Commons, 319-296-7100 or the Waterloo Community Playhouse box office 319-291-4494, or online.

Cast for The Tempest Announced

Iowa City - For the past two years, Fourth Room Theatre has produced a free outdoor Shakespeare show. Hopefully, you had the chance to catch Cymbeline in 2013 and Much Ado About Nothing in 2014. The annual event has quickly become one of the go-to theatre events of the summer. This year, they will present The Tempest. The cast is listed below. Most notably, director Rachel Howell has cast the male role of Prospero with a female, Theatre Cedar Rapids' artistic director, Leslie Charipar.