TCR Announces Two Casts

Cedar Rapids - Theatre Cedar Rapids has announced the casts of A Chorus Line and Burnt Part Boys. One notable change with A Chorus Line is the character of Larry, Broadway director Zach's no-nonsense and authoritative assistant, has been changed to Laura. Set on the bare stage of a Broadway theatre during an audition for a musical, the show tells the story of several dancers who aspire to be on Broadway. All the performers come from different backgrounds and have varying abilities. In between learning audition steps, they each reveal their most personal stories in interviews with the director, Zach. A Chorus Line will be performed in the Main Auditorium. Directed by Angie Toomsen, with musical direction by Benjamin Schmidt and choreography by Aaron Canterbury. The show opens June 26.

A Review of Mary Poppins

Photo by Len Struttmann

by Sharon Falduto 

Cedar Rapids - Mary Poppins at Theatre Cedar Rapids is lively, energetic, and colorful fun.

The musical combines elements of the beloved 1960s Disney movie and several plotlines from P.L. Travers’ series of books about the uncanny nanny Mary Poppins, making for a unique musical experience that adds more dimension to the story.

The songs in this musical are both familiar and different. You will hear “A Spoonful of Sugar,” “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious,” and “Jolly Holiday,” but the verses are different than those on that old Julie Andrews soundtrack recording. Much of the music is the original Sherman brothers, with additional songs, music, and lyrics by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, whose credits include Peter Pan and Honk.

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.

A review of The Great Gatsby

by Meghan D'Souza
Photos by Len Struttmann



Cedar Rapids - The talent at Theatre Cedar Rapids has brought to life Simon Levy's adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, featuring the characters you likely met in high school and have loved to hate ever since. At least, I have. Set in New York during the Roaring Twenties, these characters lead lives that are glamorous to the outsider, but Nick Carraway (David Schneider) gets an inside glimpse and leads the audience through the story where we learn the awful secrets that they're hiding.

The Great Gatsby Opens March 20

Cedar Rapids - Theatre Cedar Rapids will present The Great Gatsby beginning March 20 and running through April 11.The show is directed by Leslie Charipar.

Jay Gatsby, a self-made millionaire, lives very well on Long Island, where he passionately pursues the elusive Daisy Buchanan. Enter Nick Carraway, a young newcomer to Long Island, who is befriended by Gatsby and drawn into their world of obsession, greed and danger. The F. Scott Fitzgerald novel upon which the play is based is considered a classic in American Literature.

TCR Announces 2015-16 Season

Cedar Rapids - Theatre Cedar Rapids announced their 2015-16 season and there is something for everyone. Audiences will experience classics like Hamlet to modern musicals like American Idiot. Plenty of family entertainment is planned as well, including A Christmas Story and Disney's Little Mermaid. Learn about the shows by reading the synopses below, all written by TCR Artistic Director, Leslie Charipar.

TCR Announces Mary Poppins Cast

Cedar Rapids - Theatre Cedar Rapids has announced the cast of Mary Poppins, directed by Leslie Chariper, with musical direction by Janelle Lauer. The show opens May 1, 2015. Here's a quick synopsis from the TCR website:

"The musical is based on the similarly titled series of children's books by P. L. Travers and the 1964 Disney film, and is a fusion of various elements from the two. The jack-of-all trades, Bert, introduces us to England in 1910 and the troubled Banks family. Young Jane and Michael have sent many a nanny packing before Mary Poppins arrives on their doorstep. Using a combination of magic and common sense, she must teach the family how to value each other again."

Tickets are available here.

Dreamgirls Cast Soars Above Technical Difficulties

By Rachel Korach Howell
Photos by Len Struttmann and Shannon Struttmann

DiAndre Neville as Jimmy; Cameron Byrd as Marty

Cedar Rapids - TCR’s Dreamgirls is a musical mimicking the evolution of the Supreme’s: the cutthroat music business, the solid friendships overtaken by lights and glamour, the extra mile and the extra crap the African American musicians had to deal with to get noticed or even be able to take credit for their work, the girls who became strong women… It’s a lot. And it’s alllll in there, folks.

This show is centered around three phenomenal women, but we can’t get by without talking about the men who, circumstantially, ruin or enhance those ladies’ lives. DiAndre Neville works Jimmy. I love to see an actor sweat because I know that actor is working his/her darndest to give the audience everything they’ve got. He moves up and down the space, singing and dancing, in one of the most demanding performances in the show. His energy is unending and his vocals spot on. Marty (Cameron Byrd) brings a lot to the stage. His acting is subtle, strong, and honest, and that man can MOVE. Seeing him let loose during “Steppin’ to the Bad Side” in the first half of the show was a highlight for me. And I couldn’t help but smile when he popped up again in the second half. CC (Tevin Jones) also really surprised me. He is a soothing presence and it’s hard to dislike him even when he’s convinced to prefer Deena (Staisha Federick) over his sister, Effie (Alicia Strong). His singing is beautiful and he is another slick foot in the cast.

TCR Winter Classes Announced

Cedar Rapids - TCR has announced its winter line-up of classes:

TCR's Doubt Cast

Cedar Rapids - The cast for TCR's Doubt has been announced.

Shrek's Spectacle Delivers Smiles

by Rachel Korach Howell
photos by Shannon Struttmann

Nathan Nelson as Shrek;
Lovar Davis Kidd as Donkey

Cedar Rapids - Shrek the Musical, based on the beloved animated movies, maintains the moral lessons through a lens of infectious humor, well-crafted music, and all around fun.

As I was watching the musical, one thing that became clear to me was the difficulty in putting a new spin on something so cemented in the media - unless the new artist is willing to forego the recognizable qualities that are the purpose for the show’s creation. If one were to make new choices, it wouldn’t be the same story, with the same characters, and the audience would not be getting what they expect and desire to see when purchasing tickets for a show based on their favorite animated film. Imagine if Shrek had a French accent, if Lord Farquaad was on stilts instead of his knees, if Fiona was a brunette. Absolutely shocking and all wrong!

This is most difficult with the character of Shrek. The audience expects Mike Myers and anything short of him is automatically compared to that highest standard. So, what I looked for was if that guy was having fun. The good news? He was. Nathan Nelson (Shrek) had sporadic moments of jerky gesturing, and his voice wasn’t a powerhouse, but his presentation was more than adequate and the character the audience knows and loves was evident in his portrayal. His delivery was honest and you could tell Nelson had a lot of love for his character. However, my favorite song, “Who I’d Be,” which closes the first act, fell a bit flat for me. I love the poetry of it, the honesty within it, the simple dream of acceptance… but the song was rushed and Shrek seemed uncomfortable at times, unable to reach the power I crave in those moments when the character is so vulnerable, self-consciousness, and the rest of the world, just goes away.

Into the Woods Murky Yet Powerful

by Genevieve Heinrich
Photos by Shannon Struttmann

Janelle Steichen as the Baker's Wife

Cedar Rapids - Fairy tales are more than just the cornerstone of Theatre Cedar Rapids 81st season. They are, perhaps, the cornerstone of Western society. There's no flippancy in my statement... much of what we learn as children, during our peak formative years, comes from the lessons taught in these perennial bedtime stories.

At least, it used to.

Into the Woods is composer Stephen Sondheim's exploration of where we went wrong. He asked the question - familiar to us now, but just beginning to burst into the world's consciousness in the mid-1980s, when this was written - "What happens next?" The Disney-fied, sanitized happily ever after was no longer enough, and Sondheim joined the ranks of contemporary authors like Charles de Lint and Jane Yolen in insisting that these characters were (and always had been) more than just archetypes. With James Lapine (who wrote the book) he delves into the realities of these characters' lives, and pursues the ways that the same ambitions that got them what they wanted continued to affect their lives.

Theatre Cedar Rapids has assembled a formidable crew to tackle this ambitious musical. The set for this show (Scenic Designer: Bret Goethe; Scenic Artist: Daniel Kelchen) was a true stand-out. It's beauty was nothing short of magical, between the colors and the few simple but highly effective moving elements and above all else, the moon. Also contributing to the stunning visual effects were (with a few minor exceptions) the costumes, by Joni Sackett.

Shrek Cast

Cedar Rapids - After almost 100 amazing performers auditioned for TCR's upcoming holiday family production, Director Casey Prince, Musical Director Ben Schmidt, and Choreographer LD Kidd are proud to announce the cast of Shrek the Musical. Expect a production that is hilarious, fun for all ages, and above all, magical in a way only TCR can deliver.

Show Added to TCR's Les Miserables

Cedar Rapids - Theatre Cedar Rapids has added a performance to Les Miserables' production schedule. More information here.

Don't Miss Les Miserables

by Matthew Falduto

Cedar Rapids - Les Miserables is an epic. The novel upon which the musical is based is over 1000 pages. The musical condenses it, of course, but the songs soar and the stakes are always high, continuing the grand nature of the story. Audiences have been carried to emotional highs and lows by the show since it first debuted in 1985. For so many, it is their favorite musical. I first saw it at Hancher many years ago and was completely blown away. So last night at the theatre, I knew what to expect, knew the story and the songs, having sung along with my well-worn CD on many a solo car trip. In contrast, Rachel, my 13 year old daughter, had never seen the show, her only exposure being a couple of friends singing part of ‘Red and Black’ in the hallways of her junior high. Together we walked through the doors of Theatre Cedar Rapids excited to view their production of Les Miserables.

A quick synopsis: Les Miserables is the story of Jean Valjean, who was sent to prison for stealing a loaf of bread to feed his sister’s child. As the show opens, he is released on parole, but his status as a convict makes it impossible for him to get work. He steals silver from the Bishop, gets captured and is about to be sent back to prison, when the Bishop forgives him and charges him with using the stolen silver to live a better life. He becomes mayor and a business owner, but is still pursued by Javert, the inspector whose black and white view of the world does not allow for forgiveness or second chances. Along the way, we meet other characters: Fantine, a single mother whose daughter Cosette is rescued by Jean Valjean from the criminal Thenadiers; Eponine, daughter of the Thenadiers whose unrequited love for Marius is perhaps the most heartbreaking story in the show; and Enjolras, leader of the student revolutionaries, who deals with Marius’ torn loyalties between the revolution and his love for Cosette. That wasn’t as quick a synopsis as I intended, but did I mention the musical is an epic?

As we sat in our seats waiting for the show to begin, Rachel noted the sound of horses clip clopping. This was the first hint of Gerard Estella’s amazing sound design. We would later be treated to a thrilling battle and water sounds that transported us to the sewers beneath Paris. The scenic design by Bret Gothe was also excellent, utilizing a city scape as a backdrop for the action, and an easily moveable two piece barricade for the show’s climatic scenes. Little details like the streetlamps brought a verisimilitude to the stage design. The bridge used in Javert’s final moments was perfectly done as well.

The show opens with Jean Valjean and the other convicts working and lamenting their lives of bondage. In another example of Estella’s excellent sound design, we hear the convicts’ chains clinking. Every line in Les Miserables is sung; from the first notes, we are greeted with strong voices. I think that may be one of the most impressive aspects of this show – not only do the principal actors provide soaring vocals, but every single voice in the show was pitch perfect.

Let’s talk about the principals for a few minutes. Lara Wasserman tears through the agony that is Fantine’s short time on stage. When she sings “There was a time…”, we see a light and innocence in her eyes, and with the next line “…and then it all went wrong”, we see shadows and regret fill those same eyes. It’s simply one example of the exquisite acting that permeates the show. Jared Rogers, a professional opera singer, is magnificent as Jean Valjean, hitting every perfect note and bringing an emotional physicality to the role that is alternately thrilling and heartbreaking. Rogers is particularly good in his scenes with Javert. Their voices create a powerful dissonance during the confrontation after Fantine’s death. Adam Nardini perfectly embodies the rigid Javert, and his powerful voice and excellent acting puts a certain Hollywood superstar who portrayed the role in the movie to shame. As he sang “This I swear by the stars”, I had chills. Nikki Stewart, a Kirkwood Community College student, gives a heart rending performance as the doomed Eponine. When she sang with anguish, “All my life, I’ve only been pretending,” I gasped with a greater understanding of the character than I had ever known. Time after time, the performers' interpretations of the songs were fresh and original, simply mesmerizing to this fan who has heard every song a million times before.

One of the few flaws of the book is the love story of Marius and Cosette. It often pales in comparison to the love Eponine shows for Marius, and we’re never quite sure why in the world Marius would choose Cosette over the gutsy Eponine. However, in this production, through excellent character work by Julia Simons and David Wasserman as the lovely couple, and an assist by Rogers as Valjean, I believed in their love for the first time. We see real depth to Cosette through her relationship with her stepfather, and that allows us to see her as more than just a pretty girl. When she insists to Valjean that she is not a little girl anymore, Simons’ characterization allows us to believe in her frustration and we sympathize with her plight. David Wasseman conveys Maruis’ feelings for Cosette with just an intense gaze, and because we understand the depth of her character, we believe that Cosette and Marius are in love, and that just adds to the tragedy of Eponine’s unrequited love.

Ken Van Egdon and Tracie Hodina are excellent as the duplicitous Thenadiers. Both milk the much needed comedy these roles provide. Their "Master of the House" is a master class in comedic song. Another supporting character, Enjolras, is powerfully realized by Aaron Brewer. His combines a potent voice and a commanding physicality to create the leader of the revolutionaries. One of the enjoyable facets of being a reviewer is watching the local talents grow and find greater confidence over the years. I’ve seen Brewer in many shows, and it’s been fun to watch him grow into the fantastic performer he is.

I would remiss to not mention Sophie Lindwell and Aaron Berta who played Little Cosette and Gavroche. Lindwell’s beautiful voice made "Castle on a Cloud" a joy. And Berta was fantastic as the scrappy Gavroche.

The lighting design by Derek Easton was well done. Particularly effective were the church lights that came back each time Valjean was wrestling with his conscience. The battle scenes at the barricades were well created with lights and sound, and the sewer lighting was extremely effective. I also loved the moon light during Eponine’s song.

The audience leaped to their feet at the end of the show and I was among them. Anyone who reads my reviews knows I don’t give standing ovations lightly, but there’s no doubt this show deserved one. The direction was wonderful, the performances heartbreaking, and every technical aspect was spot on. But perhaps the best review I can give is to tell you about is my 13 year old daughter leaning forward in her seat, mesmerized and hanging on every word, tears standing in her eyes, completely struck to the core by the story and music before her. Do not miss Theatre Cedar Rapids’ production of Les Miserables.

God of Carnage Delightfully Vicious

By James E. Trainor III
Photos by Len Struttmann

Chad Canfield, Deborah Maynard, D. Allan Boettger, and Stephanie Corkran.

Cedar Rapids - The setting is a comfortable middle-class living room, a space which is not afraid of advertising its culture: there are curious paintings on the wall, inviting picture books on the modest coffee table, some lovely tulips downstage. It has an aura of being a bastion of civilization. And why shouldn't it? This is, after all, where Veronica (Stephanie Corkran) and Michael (D. Allan Boettger) have invited Allan (Chad Canfield) and Annette (Deborah Maynard) to calmly work out a dispute between their children. It seems Allan and Annette's son decided to clobber Veronica and Michael's son with a stick, knocking out two of his teeth. Tensions are understandably high, but these are educated adults, so they're going to rise above it, for the sake of their children and in the name of all western civilization.

Only it's not that easy. Yazmina Reza's God of Carnage (tr. Christopher Hampton), which is an admittedly cynical satire of liberal hypocrisy while also being an absolutely hilarious situation piece, does a great job of digging beneath the airs we put on and questioning why adults so often act like children when confronted with someone they despise. For all her political correctness and her attempts at civility, Veronica holds a thinly veiled disdain for Allan and Annette, and when she stoops to give them parenting advice and is rebuked, she becomes involved in a scene that reveals the shaky foundation of her marriage and causes her to question her very values.

Theatre Cedar Rapids Accepting Submissions for 2014 Underground New Play Festival

Cedar Rapids - Continuing an annual tradition, TCR will hold the Underground New Play Festival during the fall of 2014. The Festival is currently accepting submissions of new plays written by playwrights residing in Iowa, or who have strong Iowa connections. TCR is looking for a wide variety of original plays which have never been produced or published.

Submissions can be ten-minute pieces, one-acts, or full-length plays. We welcome a wide variety of genres, from comedies to dramas to musicals, and pieces can appeal to a family audience, a strictly adult audience, or may be pieces geared specifically to a child audience.

Both established and experienced playwrights, as well as those new to the craft, are welcome to submit work.

To Kill a Mockingbird Finds Power and Grace Through Empathy

By K. Michael Moore
photos by Len Struttman

the children watch Atticus (Scot Hughes) at work

Cedar Rapids - I have a confession to make. I read To Kill a Mockingbird in high school and I paid it very little mind. Perhaps you are the same. For me, back then, Harper Lee’s carefully crafted morality tale, her poignant and innocent translation of the ugliness – and the greatness – inside us all, slipped past my adolescent mind in lieu of thoughts of girls, homework, a crappy after-school job. Bad me. Fortunately, Theatre Cedar Rapids has given me another chance with its current stage production of Lee’s classic.

Mockingbird is set in the Deep South during the Depression. Events of major import occur, and, as an audience, we see them and process them through the bifocal lens of young Scout (Zoey Akers) as she learns of them, and, simultaneously, through the reminiscent voice of Scout as an adult (Jean Louise Finch, played by Marty Norton), who serves as the piece’s narrator, weaving in and out of scenes, smoothly moving us forward in a story that is at once a coming of age tale and a social morality tale. As Scout, her brother Jem (Jaden Henley), and their oddball buddy Dill (Augie Charipar) play, scuffle, and trick their way through the story, they stumble in and out of people’s lives, coming face-to-face with issues such as poverty, racism, mental illness, addiction, and mob mentality, to name but a few.

For Colored Girls... Tells Powerful Stories with Poetry and Movement

By Sharon Falduto
Photos by Len Struttmann

Cassie Liendo, Genevieve Johnson Heinrich, Heather Byrd,  Tierra Plowden,
Olivia Villela Lestrud, Shacorrie Mcbride, Iris Strong

It's amazing how much raw power seven women can bring to an intimate, sparsely decorated space.

Theatre Cedar Rapids's production For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf is in the Grandon Series, and takes place in the black box Grandon Theatre downstairs at TCR. Director Angie Toomsen chose a white flooring to offset the dark walls and the bright colors the actresses wore, which made for a striking visual as the riot of colored dresses filled the stage.

For Colored Girls... is what is called a choreopoem; a melding of poetry and choreography first created by playwright Ntozake Shange in 1975. The play is a collection of twenty poems interpreted by women who are known only by the color of their clothing--"Lady in Green," "Lady in Purple," and so on, encompassing the colors of the rainbow.

To Kill a Mockingbird Cast

Cedar Rapids - TCR has announced the cast for its upcoming production of To Kill a Mockingbird. The show opens March 21.