THE MIRACLE WORKER

FIREHOUSE THEATER COMPANY: NOV 25 – DEC 23

 

L-R: Seth Harris, Linda Williams, Hannah Ford and Julie Kaye Wolf (Photo credit: Christine Fisk)

     William Gibson’s “The Miracle Worker,” is currently onstage at The John Hand Theater on Lowry.

     The story of Annie Sullivan’s work with the tantrum-throwing Helen Keller is a perennial favorite.

    Thanks to Peter J. Hughes’ directorial gift, the core of the play is presented with visceral power!

     Hannah Ford’s portrayal of the young Helen Keller is outstanding.

     Julie Kaye Wolf’s dynamic performance in the role of Annie Sullivan is most memorable.

     Seth Palmer Harris delivers a Captain Keller that makes us wish he were cast in serious dramatic roles much more often.

     Linda Williams is perfect casting in the role of Helen’s mother, Kate.

     Steve Tangedal’s lighting design is remarkable.

     Rick Reid’s sound design excels.

     One sees what director Peter J. Hughes is attempting here and wishes that the supporting cast could keep up with the actors cast in the roles of the four central characters.

     A little slow getting up steam, the production soon fires on all emotional cylinders.

     Also …expecting the usual curtain speech at this theater - and not getting one -  the audience on the night this critic was in attendance took a while to shut up.

     You may have to say: “SHHHH!”  I did.

               Worth a peek.

marlowes' musings

Firehouse Theater

“The Miracle Worker”

The amazing journey of Annie Sullivan and her student, blind and mute Helen Keller. 

Nov. 25 – Dec. 23

Fri/Sat at 7:30 p.m., Sun. at 2:00 p.m.

$20 - $23 

303-562-3232 or online at www.firehousetheatercompany.com

@ The John Hand Theater, 7653 East 1st Place, Denver, CO 80230

Running time: 2 hours with one intermission

    

Marlowe's Musings 

Run to get tickets to see and hear Anna Maria High as Hattie McDaniels at Aurora Fox Arts!

Playwright Larry Parr’s script for “Hi Hat Hattie” is all about Denver native, Hattie McDaniel. Ms. McDaniel graduated from East High and went on to become the first African American woman to receive an Oscar for her performance in a movie: the role of Mammy in “Gone with the Wind.”

     Referred to as “the colored Sophie Tucker,” she did radio commercials, toured with Broadway shows and was featured in a Disney movie called “Song of the South.”

     The stunning Anna Maria High is perfect casting for Hattie McDaniel. Her expressive acting in this one-woman show delivers a strong, powerful Hattie with a sparkling personality. Her glorious vocals dazzle!

     Ms. High’s star is rising so quickly it behooves you to get over to see and hear her in person before she gets recruited by Broadway.

      Music director Jodel Charles accompanies Ms. High with breathtaking virtuosity on the grand piano.

     Director Melissa Lucero McCarl has done wonders with this script. Her talent for pacing creates punch and muscle in the production whenever  playwright Parr’s pen begins to lag.

     Brandon Case’s scenic design gives us a gilded proscenium and opera boxes that provide us with a magnificent frame for Ms. High’s outstanding performance.

     Costume designer Laurie LaMere Klapperich has created the eye-popping wardrobe for Ms. High.Marlowe's Musings

For tickets go online at www.aurorafoxartscenter.org/afac/hattie

Vintage Theatre presents 

Red

by Josh Logan

Directed by Craig A. Bond

  John Logan’s “RED” won the Tony Award for Best Play in 2010. Eddy Redmayne received the one for Best Performance by a Featured Actor.

     Logan’s play is set in abstract expressionist Mark Rothko’s New York studio in 1958. Rothko, who has just received a commission to do a frieze of abstract paintings for the exclusive Four Seasons restaurant, is confronted by his assistant, Ken, regarding the artistic integrity of making such a choice.

     Craig A. Bond directs the production with the eye of a poet and a profound reverence for the material. His casting is superb and his pacing makes us feel the vibrant pulse of the creative process. At one point in the play director Bond has Rothko sit in the audience with us…allowing us as audience to identify with his character more fully.
  

     L-R: Jason Spina and Phil Luna

Phil Luna’s portrayal of Rothko is powerful and revelatory. His monologue relating the great artist’s experience at The Four Seasons restaurant is heartbreaking.

     J.W. Spina’s performance as Ken provides us with a brilliant counterpoint that’s nuanced and poignant.

     Thanks to the artistry of sound designer Carlos Flores, exquisite music bridges the scenes.

      In the intimacy of the Bond-Trimble Theatre, Cheryl Brodzinsky’s realistic scenic design makes us feel as though we are that proverbial fly on the wall in Rothko’s world.

     The remarkable abstract creations on the side and back walls of the theatre are inspired by Rothko and done by the students at The Waldorf School in Denver.

Vintage Theatre presents

“Red”

A gripping look at artist and art through the lens of a young assistant.

Nov.24 - Jan 7

Fri/Sat at 7:30 p.m.; Sun. at 2:30 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 27 at 7:30 p.m; No performance on Saturday, December 2

Tickets are $25 - $30 

Online at www.vintagetheatre.org or 303-856-7830. 

Vintage Theatre, 1468 Dayton St., Aurora 80010.

90 minutes, no intermission.Marlowe's Musings