l to r:
Joe Doyle as Al, Jerry Carrier as Willie, and Mr. Melnick as himself
RECENT REVIEWS
THE SUNSHINE BOYS:
l to r:
Joe Doyle as Al, Jerry Carrier as Willie, and Mr. Melnick as himself
The following review appeared in the Bucks County Courier Times on June 15, 1999:
By Stu Duncan
Flushed with success after sellout performances of its first production in a brand new theater at the Heritage Center in Morrisville, the Actors' NET of Bucks County has mounted the second work of the summer season. The show is Neil Simon's "The Sunshine Boys" and if there were any question lingering about the suitability of the new spaces, it will now be completely expelled. The former municipal garage is perfect for intimate, warm comedies.Willie Clark (Jerry Carrier) and Al Lewis (Joe Doyle) have not seen each other in 11 years, not talked to each other in 12. But in the 43 years preceding, the pair was America's best known and apparently most beloved vaudeville comedy team. It was a stage marriage of two tremendous talents - with egos to match.
Now Clark's nephew (Chuck Donnelly), an agent, seeks to repair the festering feud by booking them to a CBS Special, dedicated to the history of comedy. The problem is that although Clark still imagines himself as viable and vibrant, he really isn't. And Lewis is rather happily retired and living with his daughter in New Jersey. Moreover, Clark has considerable trouble remembering his dialogue, far less the product for commercials. And he still bears the imaginary scar tissue from 43 years of partnership.
The evening depends almost entirely on the interaction of the three principals. Director Phil Fagans has allowed them wisely to take their time with Simon's delicious meanderings. The playwright is at his quixotic best in this play, using old age as a natural comedy element and taking cantankerousness to a high level. Doyle, for example gets giggles, developing into huge laughs by adding sugar to his tea, gazing intently at the cup and then adding another teaspoon or two. Then satisfied, he continues to gaze longingly at the cup as if to threaten to add more. It's comedy at its highest level of sophistication.
Later the pair will do a wonderful pas de deux with three pieces of furniture as they try to remember how the props were arranged for a comedy sketch they had performed more than two thousand times.
Meanwhile Donnelly provides just enough as the protagonist to keep the pot boiling nicely, determined to affect a reconciliation, but constantly bowing to his uncle's childish foibles. Dave Freed, Jerry Lyden, Tom O'Connor, Corryn Kronnagel and Cheryl Williams play small cameo roles beautifully.
Next up at The Heritage Center Theatre is a July production of "The Fantasticks." And already scheduled for next season are works as widely diverse as George Bernard Shaw's marvelous comedy "The Devil's Disciple," "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie," and the musical, "1776." It's clearly time to recognize Actors NET as a force on the local theater scene.
"The Sunshine Boys" plays at Actors' NET, 635 N. Delmorr Ave., Morrisville, through June 27. Fri. & Sat. eves at 8 p.m.; Sun. eves at 6 p.m. 215-295-3694.
Stuart Duncan, a retired New York theater producer, has been reviewing plays for 15 years. On Broadway, Duncan produced the original version of "Godspell" in partnership with Edgar Lansbury, Angela Lansbury's younger brother. Duncan lives in Princeton and teaches theater at Mercer County Community College.
Because we wanted to include several photos, our production of Man of La Mancha has its own page. Click here. MAN OF LA MANCHA
CRIMINAL HEARTS
Jane Martin's Criminal Hearts played at Artists Showcase Theatre from April 9-25, 1999.
The cast of Criminal Hearts,clockwise from left:Cathy Liebars, David Swartz, Robin Carcione, Heather MacHenry
In the Bucks County Courier Times, Stuart Duncan wrote:
"Criminal Hearts is a frivolous, frothy little black comedy that requires almost no brainwork, but allows the lips to curl into a permanent smile. The current staging by Actors NET of Bucks County is so charming, it will probably seem like a better work than it really is. . . . The cast: Heather MacHenry, Cathy Liebars, Robin Carcione, and David Swartz, romp through the 100-minute silliness with gusto, scattering laughs as they go. MacHenry is a veritable uzi of verbal panic . . . Veteran NET stalwart Joe Mattern takes a rare turn at the directorial reins, keeps the pace fast and the evening fun."
In the Trenton Times, Anita Donovan wrote:
"Think Thelma and Louise without the murder and mayhem and you have a pretty good idea of Jane Martin's irreverent, off-the-wall comedy Criminal Hearts, the third and final offering of Actors' NET of Bucks County's Alternate Series, at Artists Showcase in Trenton....Heather MacHenry keeps this production upbeat with her manic portrayal of Ata, who is both sympathetic and annoying -- and no more so than to Ata herself. MacHenry has the dazzled, spastic energy of the perennially insecure, leavened once in a while with a demonic smile of satisfaction as she breaks out of her psychic prison. We can't help liking her.
"Cathy Liebars is not so much at home with the low-rent character of Bo, head burglar, but in the second act, when she looks sensational in one of Ata's gowns, she gains assurance.
"Robin Carcione lends warmth to the quirky part of Robbie, second burglar, and David Swartz brings oily intimidation to the role of Wib. Joe Mattern has directed with attention to character and interaction that relieves this one-joke script.
"The set is attributed to Ken Junkins, but one must ascribe some of it to the pizza parlors of Trenton and environs. The uncredited costumes are good, as is Allen Klapper's lighting. The sound design is outstanding, with an amusing array of background songs that point up the play's ironies."
To read the rest of Ms. Donovan's review, click below:
http://www.njo.com/features/times/style/stories/04-13-RTQD2JGD.html
LAUGHTER ON THE 23RD FLOOR
Neil Simons' Laughter on the 23rd Floor was received enthusiastically by large audiences and by the critics:
Max
Prince (George Hartpence), talks strategy with three of his writers, played
by (left to right) Joe Mattern, Joel McGlynn, and Chuck
Donnelly
In the Trenton Times, Anita Donovan wrote, in part:
"Director Joe Doyle leads a terrific cast of actors, both veteran and newcomers, and each one nails his character cold. Joel McGlynn, a College of New Jersey student, is the star-struck Lucas; Steve Decker is the womanizing Milt; Joe Mattern is the sardonic Val; Phil Fagans is the pie-in-the-sky Brian; and Chuck Donnelly plays rational Kenny.
"Renee Richman-Weisband is the wry proto-feminist Carol and Rose Persichilli, the sweet but vapid wanna-be writer Helen. Jan Applebaum turns Ira into a masterful portrait of a colossal pest.
"In the role of Max Prince, veteran actor George Hartpence shows his range of comic talents and emotional complexity. One would be hard put to find a better ensemble than this gaggle of mad souls without resurrecting their inspired originals."
To read the rest of this review, follow this link:
http://www.nj.com/features/times/science/stories/03-18-RGQD2I0D.html
In "Time Off," the entertainment supplement to the Princeton Packet and its sister publications, Stuart Duncan noted Joe Doyle's "crisp direction" and wrote:
"Among the performances that will capture your imagination are that of veteran NET actor Joe Mattern as Val, the head writer. Mr. Mattern not only masters the distinct accent peculiar to Mel Tolkien, but finds exactly the right mixture of joy and pathos in the proceedings. Renee Richman-Weisband is by far the best Carol (the Selma Diamond role) in several years of community productions. Her second act speech in which she demands to be considered a writer, not a woman, should be required watching for all first-year acting students.
"Jan Applebaum has some wild and wonderful moments as the always late-to-the-meeting Ira; Steve Decker finds nice tenderness as Milt, less concerned with keeping his family in food and clothing; George Hartpence finds just enough madness in the Sid Caesar role (here called Max Prince) to make him both amusing and frightening.
"Set designer Ken Junkins has somehow found a way in the tiny spaces of Artists Showcase to get the comparatively large company on and off the stage comfortably. By May, NET expects to be in its new theater, but for now, discover this fine group in north Trenton."
The critic for the New Hope Gazette wrote:
"In the current production by Actors' Net ... Simon's intent is thoroughly realized."
"Directed briskly by Joe Doyle, the cast of nine keeps up a constant pace of verbal and sight gags without a moment's lag.
"Leading the pack as Max Prince, comic star of The Max Prince Show, is New Hope actor George Hartpence, who is most often seen in 19th-century dramas and comedies for Shakespeare 70 company, the resident company of the College of New Jersey.
"Though Hartpence is the master of the King's English and can flutter a foppish monocle with the best of them, he offers a varied and expressive performance as the conflicted and haunted Max, a man more sentimental than intellectual, his insecurities intensified by alcohol dependency.
"For those used to Hartpence in his usual mode, his performance will come as a revelation.
"Once again Actors' NET has managed to corral an outstanding crew of male character actors -- actors most community theaters would give their eye teeth for.
"Steve Decker, Joe Mattern, Joel McGlynn, Phil Fagans, Chuck Donnelly keep the quips flying and Jan Applebaum is over the top as the hypochondriac Ira, believed to be based on Mel Brooks; his final confrontation with Max is simply priceless.
"Renee Richman-Weisband holds her own with Carol's wisecracking delivery and Rose Persichilli is the sweet unflappable staff secretary.
"As you watch this play, you can clearly see where today's comedians went to school."
SHERRY!
Sherry! recently completed its three-weekend run to the sound of laughter and enthusiastic applause. NET co-founder Joe Doyle's modern sex farce apparently tickled the funny bones of audience members of both genders and all sexual preferences. Here's an excerpt from Anita Donovan's review in the Trenton Times (2/17/99):
Joe Doyle's "Sherry!" is the second play in the Actors' NET series of adult comedies. In this amiable sex farce, on stage at Artists Showcase in Trenton, the various randy participants are both male and female, homosexual and heterosexual.Not surprisingly, when it comes to desire, loyalty, and love in either sexual orientation, there are few limits to foolishness....As Actors' NET acknowledges, "Sherry!" involves coarse language and adult situations, but nothing that we haven't heard in the public arena for the last year.
Author Doyle, who also plays the redoubtable Gladstone, has an antic imagination, and directs his talented band with gusto. Keith Kerns plays Sherry with good humor and showgirl legs; John Nicolazzo is the smitten Sal; K.T. Tomlinson has a sophisticated sizzle as Gladys Gladstone; as the randy Terry, Elizabeth Coughlin switches wigs and tarty outfits like a dervish; and Bruce Rowe is a delight as Max, complete with purple suit and Karate stance. No doubt about it, Doyle has given the cast a great deal to do, and they are up to the task.
Ken Junkins contributes a nifty set, with appropriate decor for the character of Sal, Cheryl Doyle provides the lighting design, and stage manager Faithe Longo successfully keeps the very complicated on-stage maneuvers flowing smoothly. It can't be easy.
Keith Kerns is Sherry and Joe Doyle is the lecherous Gladstone
in Joe Doyle's new farce, Sherry!
OF MICE AND MEN
The NET's production of Steinbeck's OF MICE AND MEN provoked tears and praise. The following is an excerpt from Anita Donovan's review in the Trenton Times (1/27/99):
Director Cheryl Doyle has a strong, seasoned ensemble to work with in this piece. It is a credit to Actors' NET that they have developed such an excellent "bench" when it comes to male character actors.
David Anthony as George, Joe Mattern as Slim, Phil Fagans as Carlson, Jerry Carrier as Candy, Lawrence Guest as Young Whit, Bill Thompkins as Crooks, and Marty Krzywonos as the Boss are believable and real, and each suggests that his stage presence is only the iceberg tip of a fully rounded character.On the distaff side, beautiful Rose Persichilli, also a regular, is poignant as Curley's wife. Making their debuts with Actors' NET, Ken Ambs makes a heartbreaking Lenny and Robin Carcione captures Curley's fiery nature. Certainly, there are some moments shared by Anthony and Mattern as George and Slim that could not be done better on any stage.
Once again creating a miracle on the infinitesimal Artists Showcase stage, scenic designer Ken Junkins has fashioned a set that simply boggles the mind. It unfolds upon itself, turns inside out, and, well . . . go see it.
Although the outcome of Steinbeck's tale is well known to readers and is somewhat predictable within the script, the tragedy of this gritty story remains intact and had quite a strong effect on the audience I was in.
Besides telling a human story, "Of Mice and Men" gives us a glance back at an era when laborers had few protections and the only response to Lenny's disability was incarceration. We can't help feeling grateful that, although many improvements are needed, we live in a more enlightened era.
Ken Ambs (left) and David Anthony in OF MICE AND MEN
Critic Stuart Duncan, writing for the Bucks County Courier Times and other papers, noted that the evening "crackled with energy." He also singled out Sandy, the wonderful dog who played Candy's dog in the production, for special page. You can follow this link to read all about Sandy and her "siblings" who are all part of "Brackney's Madcap Mutts."
The Madcap Mutts Homepage! -- Meet the Mutts! http://www.madcapmutts.com/meet.htm
MANLY MEN: AN EVENING
CHOCK FULL OF LIES AND TESTOSTERONE,
by Bo Wilson
OLIVER! by Lionel Bart
(back row: Jenn Bryant, Ann Golian;
seated: Phil Fagans, K.T. Tomlinson, Jerry Carrier)
Agatha Christie's
MURDER AT THE VICARAGE
dramatized by Moie Charles & Barbara Toy
(back row, left to right: Joe Doyle, Joe Mattern, Hugh Barton, Jo Page, George Hartpence, Larry Guest, Jan Applebaum, Cheryl Doyle, K.T. Tomlinson. seated, left to right: Janet Quartarone, Malika Cohen, Rose Persichilli, Giz Coughlin)
THE PETRIFIED FOREST, by Robert Sherwood
(Standing, left to right: Charles Harris, Carl Sessa, Jamie Bradley; Seated, left to right: Marianne Ahern, Joe Mattern, Joe Doyle, Vince Mancini, Joan Fishman)
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