The thrill of live theater lies in the implied promise that something could go wrong at any moment. A forgotten line, a failed prop, a disruptive audience member – anything can and often does happen in a live setting that cannot be accounted for in rehearsals. Audiences adore watching actors navigate the shaky precipice of […]
Speed The Plow, by playwright David Mamet, is a cross between the popular television show, “Mad Men” (about cut-throat ad salesmen) and Mamet’s earlier work, Glengarry Glen Ross (about cut-throat real estate men). In the new Theatre 82 in Cranston, Mamet’s classic tale of how Hollywood works is brought to life with great energy by […]
Trinity Rep is currently outdoing itself with one of the most unique theatrical experiences you’re likely to have anywhere. Right now, both of Trinity’s theaters are occupied with Alan Ayckbourn’s House and Garden, a show about a garden party that features French movie stars, young love, dissolving marriage and a lot of rain. Actors run from the […]
Go see The Liar, a play of quick wit. It serves up such laughter, you’ll guffaw and spit! Admittedly, that is silly poetry. But it is the faintest hint of what you will experience at the Burbage Theatre Company’s riotous production of The Liar. The Liar is an inventive David Ives adaptation of a play from the 1600s French farce by Pierre Cornielle. Ives is a favorite […]
Lost In Wonderland by Joe Siegel Surrendering To Wonderland by By Michael Bilow
As fundraising becomes more and more vital for many arts organizations, it was truly inspirational to attend The State Ballet of Rhode Island’s 10th annual Summer Soiree: “Earth, Wind and Firefly.” While many, understandably so, have less to give, it never ceases to amaze what can be accomplished by some when motivated by a common […]
I feel like I’m in the right place when I see a Wilbury Group production. I cheered “U-S-A!” at The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity and I cried honest and unashamed at Lungs. Even with an unforeseen venue swap from the Butcher Block Mill to Trinity Church midseason, Wilbury didn’t break stride. As such, The […]
By Joe Siegel Lewis Carroll’s classic tale of Alice in Wonderland has been given a radical and off-putting makeover in Epic Theatre Company’s latest production, running through June 8 and directed by Terry Shea. This production was created by the Manhattan Project under the direction of Andre Gregory. The setting of the production is a […]
By Michael Bilow I greatly enjoyed Epic Theatre Company’s performance of Alice in Wonderland, a version of Lewis Carroll’s classic created by The Manhattan Project, and even saw it a second time. It’s not at all for everyone, though. The Andre Gregory/Manhattan Project model is at the edge of experimental theater; it’s probably the most […]
Motif Columnist , Terry Shea, sits down with us at MoTiv to discuss the state of RI’s local theater scene.