Stage Write

The Golem of Havana is set in the 1950s as the people of Cuba waver on the brink of the revolution. A young Jewish girl named Rebecca is growing up in her father's tailor shop, oblivious to the turmoil around her. She writes stories of a superhero, the golem; the fabled protector she’s grown up hearing stories of from her European mother. When their maid’s son, a rebel fighter, turns up the family must make a decision that will determine their future in this volatile world.   The premise echoes one that’s repeated too often throughout history. It’s a story of oppression and rebellion, strength in resistance and the tough moral choices that go hand-in-hand. It reminds me of Anne Frank's story and Les Miserables and dozens of others. Persecution is the same no matter what political face it wears.   Maria, the family’s maid, is played by Teneh B. C. Karimu. She gives a powerful performance as a mother in search her child. Eric Olson, who has already proved his singing c

 And they’re off! The 2014 IndyFringe Festival favorite is back in a full-length format. The Great Bike Race tells the store of the second running of the Tour de France in the most hilarious way possible. It was vicious, with cyclist cheating their way to the finish line, willing to sabotage anyone who crossed their path. The show is done in a series of vignettes that introduce each of the racers separately. The staging is simple. A screen shows the landscape scrolling by as the bikers pass. Each person holds a set of handlebars to indicate their cycle. Frankie Bolda plays the 16-year-old contender Henri Cornet with a wide-eyed innocence. He wants a gentlemanly race, but his competitors are set on playing dirty. He’s an ambitious lad with dreams of Parisian girls meeting him at the finish line and Bolda shines with her earnest portrayal. The main race is between the cut-throat favorites Hippolyte Acoutrier (Paige Scott) and Maurice Garin (Ben Asaykwee). The prideful pair ar