Stage Write

  The American Player Theatre is just a quick drive north to Wisconsin. For 45 seasons APT has produced a wide range of shows each summer in both their large outdoor theatre and smaller indoor location. It is always worth the drive. Much Ado About Nothing is the classic enemies-to-lovers story that set the standard for all the thousands that followed it. Merciless barbs are tossed back and forth between Beatrice and Benedick before the pair realize they’re actually in love. This production is set in a seaside town, complete with a maritime theme. Beatrice (Jessica Ko) and Benedick spark like wildfire. Their chemistry is essential for the show to work, and their verbal sparring is a joy to watch. Marcus Truschinski wears his full heart on his sleeve even when jesting as the loveable Benedick. The gentle deception of their friends pushes Beatrice and Benedick together despite their stubborn natures. Not since the film “It Happened One Night” has a sheet and a clothesline been u...

The American Player Theatre is just a quick drive north to Wisconsin. They produce a wide range of shows each summer in both their large outdoor theatre and smaller indoor location. It is always worth the drive and now in its 44 th season, there are still months left of productions available. Our Town It’s hard to explain the power of Our Town. It’s a quiet play about everyday life. It’s set in the town of Grover’s Corners, NH in the early 20th century. The cast of townspeople invites us to imagine with them as they go about their daily routines without much fuss. Truly, it sounds boring if you look at that summary. But what words can’t capture is the sweet moments between a husband and wife as they contemplate their child’s impending marriage or the zing of connection when two young teens first fall in love. Samantha Newcomb  plays Emily Webb a sharp and ambitious girl growing up in the town. Her story is at the heart of the play and it’s her brilliant, but simple observations t...

Sense & Sensibility by Jane Austen At its heart, Sense and Sensibility is not about romantic love, though it does include swoon-worthy moments, it’s about the love between sisters. As vastly different as they may be, that connection was deeply understood by Jane Austen and was lovingly captured in this story. Laura Rook is perfect as Elinor; the picture of quiet grace and strength even in the most trying circumstances. Marianne (Samantha Newcomb) is the fire to Rook’s ice and sparkles with passion. Jamal James’ Edward steals all the scenes he’s in. He and Rook have a sweet chemistry that embodies the reserved affection of their characters. This beautiful adaptation by Jessica Swale fleshes out the scenes between Edward and Elinor. It played up lovely moments of humor and used Margaret as a tool for added interaction between the characters. Director Marti Lyons makes use of every moments. The audience was so swept up that some people were gasping and calling characters names...

  To return to the American Players Theatre after the pandemic hiatus is magical. All the elements that we’ve missed for the past year are waiting for audiences at the top of the hill. Cymbeline The theatre’s production of Cymbeline is a revelation. The all-female cast flips the tone from oppressive misogyny to tongue-in-cheek barbs and iconic strength. What originates as a story about the value of women based on their chastity and rooted in the mistrust of Imogen’s word over an almost stranger’s transforms into a story of her carving out her own life. The core of that strength always existed in Shakespeare’s words, but the show is often played with Imogen acting only as a casualty of circumstance, a path to her husband Posthumus’ fall and redemption. In director Marti Lyon’s hands and Melisa Pereyra’s barely-contained rage, Imogen has a chance to rise above the role of victim. Cymbeline has always been a fascinating show because unlike Othello and other popular Bard plays, the cha...

  Humans yearn for what we do not have. It is the trademark of our species. We seem to never be satisfied, always longing for more, better, bigger. Though this play is set a century ago in Russia, it could not be more relevant to our current culture. Three Sisters tells the story of Olga, Masha, and Irina (and to a lesser extent, their brother Andrei). They are trapped in the monotony of country life. There's something so relatable about their constant struggle to get to Moscow. They live dreaming of the glory of the past and longing for the hopeful days of the future. They never embrace the present. Kelsey Brennan is the disenchanted Masha. Her flashes of passion, whether they are caused by love or anger, are beautifully played in contrast to her default attitude of boredom. She is all fire and ice, there is no middle ground. The only person who sees himself as happy is a classic fool. His refrain of contentment is an empty claim, repeated to convince himself tha...

American Players Theatre (APT) is excited to announce its 2017 season, which will run June 10 – October 22, 2017. UP THE HILL THEATRE A Midsummer Night’s Dream By William Shakespeare Directed by John Langs A Flea in Her Ear By Georges Feydeau Adapted by David Frank Translated by Abbot Chrisman Directed by David Frank Cyrano de Bergerac By Edmond Rostand Adapted by James DeVita Directed by James DeVita Cyrano de Bergerac is a fearless Three Sisters By Anton Chekhov Translated by Susan Coyne Directed by William Brown Pericles, Prince of Tyre By William Shakespeare Directed by Eric Tucker TOUCHSTONE THEATRE   The Maids By Jean Genet Translated by Bernard Frechtman Directed by Gigi Buffington The Unexpected Man By Yasmina Reza Translated by Christopher Hampton Directed by Laura Gordon A View from the Bridge By Arthur Miller Directed by Tim Ocel The Creditors By August Strindberg Translated ...