Christmas Is Coming, The Goose is Getting Fat

Won't you please put a penny in the Old Man's Hat, If you haven't got a penny, a half a penny will do. If you haven't gotta a half a penny, God Bless You!"
Review of Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol" - By J.K. Cosmos

The chorus of Christmas Carols and the themed dress of the Actors began before the audience even got to their seats. Bravo! The tone is set. The historically correct costumes, and then arriving in the theater, seeing the stage so well set was the beginning of a Christmas treat!

Dicken's play is a classic and, for many, a tradition. The production of this well-loved play is a challenge; the challenge being keeping it fresh and new. Keeping it interesting! This production conveyed the plot, engaged the audience and was entertaining, to boot!

The old Dodger, yes, Scrooge, had a great presence and Paul D. Farwell, who played the lead, did so without over-shadowing the others. His rendition of Scrooge was on the money. Farwell had the modulated voice, the accent and the energy to bring the audience in; to keep us there with him through the mundane at his office and the magical with the spirits. He was fun and really gave a great performance.

Edward M. Barker, playing Bob Cratchit, also enlightened the audience. How so? Well, his presentation showed love of family, his wife and others in the community in a most endearing and sweet way. His interpretation of Cratchit was one of a man with some sense of self; his identity was less pathetic than is sometimes portrayed in films. I thought his rendition of Cratchit was very effective.

The Actors in supporting roles, belted it out. The dialogue was true to the plot, to the story-line and to the essence of what makes Dickens a master dramatist.

Kudos to the Director, Bridget Kathleen O'Leary! Her vision and tweaking of this classic made it a not to miss play for the season.

Not to miss a beat, the setting and costumes of the spirits and the magic is just phenomenal! Congrats to Peter Colao and Christine Alger; Scenic & Costume design respectively. This Team effort brings an exceptional play to the New Rep!

Bravo & A Standing 'O'.

Poet Laureates/Bly & Hall

Listening to the banter between friends. Friends that happen to be the very best of the US; friends & a conversation between Robert Bly & Donald Hall. A privilege and a blessing. They both graciously read some poems and I listened. The words and sentiments easy and true. When will my writing mirror the energy of these creative people?

In line and waiting on them, the briefest of moments to have a conversation. Hall generous with his comments; well done.

Bly - a gaze penetrating and a knowing something/something.

He asked: "What are you writing?"

I thought, 'Did I tell him that I'm writing?'

Bly, "I wish you well on your writing."

Thanking him I kept my 'good eye' on him as I moved away, making room for the next fan of his poetry, his life's work. Moving away, I kept a good eye on him and to my surprise, he kept a good eye on me.

Checking the signature in the book of poems, he had personalized it with my name. "Did I tell him my name?" I knew that I had not. I didn't provide him with any personal information. None at all. I know that, having been in line for Donald Hall - first & told that only autographs of the book were being given, today.

I am a very good student, to a fault. Literal. Too literal.

Bly took my name off of my name tag on a string around my neck. Actually, looked at a name tag to sign my name and his on the book of poetry.

Yes, today I question the 'Why?'
Yes, today I answer with the biggest of reasons. I am a writer.
I am meant to write.

Another writer recognized me today.
Another writer affirmed my mission, my life's work.

The writer giving the affirmation is a Poet Laureate & his name is Robert Bly.

Mamet 'Speed-the-Plow"

Mad Men vibe and fast paced talk compels the audience and presents a 'Must See' production at the New Rep. With Mamet, there are expectations and they were met and then some in Watertown.

Robert Pemberton as "Bobby" with his exceptional accent not to be under-estimated when most of Hollywood only pretends to be from a particular venue. Pemberton convinces us and he readily draws us in to his point of view. Pemberton shines in this role.

The play between him and Gabriel Kuttner exceptional. Kuttner is believable as Charlie Fox and as 'everyman' who is loyal and 'true blue' to the powers that run the show and the 'friends' that tantalize and promise a leg up.

Kuttner reflects that man and humanity's attempts to move ahead at any cost in his role as Fox. He understands the game plan and reminds the audience and more crucially his pal, Bobby Gould.

To take the top off, the play has a fight scene. The sudden burst of violence and blood presents another level of Mamet at his best. Director Robert Walsh deserves kudos for the entire production. Walsh transitions the scenes and directs the actors to lead us through the phases of it all; no small feat with this play.

The pivotal conflict is dramatized effectively; both sweetly and purposefully by Aimee Doherty. Her role as Karen is the rub and she moves as an ingenue and a femme fatale. Who knew Karen (Doherty) would have this effect? Doherty plays her hand close and the audience appreciates how she develops this part.

The Actors, the action, the play - exceptional!

Reviewed - J.K. Cosmos - New Rep Reviewer

2.5 Minute Ride - Review for New Rep Theater

Lisa Kron has a hit featuring Adrianne Krstansky. Kron keeps the pace and engages the audience without any dead space. The initial scene may have been perplexing, as Lisa, played by Krstansky, takes us on the journey and the ride, uses a pointer on a blank screen. The sound of the clicking slides, the red dot on a blank screen, all very effective. It gave the audience pause and allowed them to fill in the blank space, the white space, to create the scene based on the language of the production, not the visuals. It reminded me of art appreciation classes as an undergrad and the use of the white space, rather than color on the screen lead to images and use of my imagination. Nicely done.

Krstansky gave an energetic and well-paced performance with humor and some ironic twists. She evoked emotion and illicited a recognition in us and an empathy that crosses ethnic lines. The traditions and cultural descriptions in the dialogue transcend the Jewish experience, as many peoples identify with much of the play.

The acting was up close and personal; there is no other way to say it. The outlook despite tragedies in life, remains optimistic and positive. Who knew? I didn't expect the joi de vivre that came across despite some horrific recollections in the piece.

One short story of a German boy, who chose not to join the war and not to join the Nazi Party and his courage to be his own person resonated for me and was one of the thesis components of the play. Lisa's father feeling lucky to be Jewish, so as not to have to make a decision to choose a Nazi uniform or to decline; very poignant.

Krstansky stayed in character and moved us through the events of her life; of Lisa's life. It was fabulous!

Connections, cycles..

Started out talking about social justice with 25 plus students at 7 AM in the city & it was enlightening...issues about abuse of power, fairness and value of education, of particular jobs..this next generation gives pause in their ideals, and their aspirations to make things better...and, yes, it does sound familiar. The familiarity of 1968, 1969 and the days of lazy haze and very grandiose ideas.

Reading, Eric Erikson, Gandhi..non-violent resistence, social justice again...the theme, the thread of an idea all day..

Readings by Rebecca Brown and the nostalgia, the energy of the day, the lectures, the readings and the discussion with very young students resonates in Rebecca's work, her words and her pull on dreams gone by....poignant!

Exhausting, bone-weary but very glad for the day, the discussions, the edgy-ness of the next generation, the ones that I am privileged to exchange ideas with and share my perceptions. Perpceptions of my own youth, and their youth and the connections and cycles....they are all good.

Mr Roberts - Times Gone By

My expectations were not high for this WW II production, until noticing the actors in the play, actors who would surely carry the day and the move the production forward with energy & virve.
The play did not energize. The 'set up' was too long and dragged. The play was so dated, which can be a strength for any creative piece. For this one, it was simplistic and simple-minded, much like the plot. The plot didn't move along nor did it engage the audience. There was no character development. Giving the benefit of the doubt, I cannot recommend this one and am trying to find a redeeming quality.
The setting did reflect the place, however, the actors footsteps echoed and was so loud as to drown out dialogue.
Owen Doyle is one of the actors I had hoped would pull this one up & succeed. Owen is a gifted performer and his work in Lapin Agile at the New Rep was extraordinary. Similar kudos to Ross MacDonald, a most phenomenal performance in Exits & Entrances & together with Curt Klump, exellent work in The Lieutenenat of Insishmore.
The lead for Mr. Roberts, Thomas Piper, has solid credentials and this reviewer has not seen prior to this role. I look forward to seeing the cast in other local performances. Unfortunately, they were unable to pull this one off successfully.

US Senator Ted Kennedy - 1932 - 2009

Ted Kennedy, an inspiration & visionary, a person of means, who viewed public service as meaningful for the betterment of society. Peace