FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM APRIL 4, 2019 • BUZZ • THE QUEENS COURIER 61
buzz
‘A Comedy of Tenors’ at RTC
Join us for a lighthearted trip to Paris
circa 1936. An elegant hotel suite reveals
some charming but very self-absorbed
operatic tenors. Th eir various wives, love
interests, grown children and in-laws create
a riotous mixture of laughter and
lunacy in the very funny farce “A Comedy
of Tenors.”
Many local favorites reprise their roles
in this comedy sequel by playwright Ken
Ludwig. David Risley returns as good-natured
but oft en overwhelmed opera star
Max. He tries frantically to please his
harried boss,
Saunders. Cliff
Hesse returns in
that role, originally
played in
RTC’s 2011 version
of “Lend Me
Titan’s ‘Hamlet’ at Queens Theatre
A VIEW FROM
THE CLIFF
a Tenor.” Th e
current production has all the slapstick,
door slams, adult suggestive humor we
expect of a well-played bedroom farce.
Fiery Maria (Lynda Browning) masterfully
manipulates anger, aff ection and
glamour as she participates in the show’s
multiple misunderstandings. Poor Robert
Wilkinson plays exhausting dual roles. He
is pompous-but-likable tenor Tito and his
doppelganger, Beppo the bellhop. Lovely
Adele Wendt perfectly plays his daughter,
the not-so-innocent Mimi. Her boyfriend
Carlo (Nathan Reder) needs a solid
jaw to withstand the frequent full-frontal
wallops Mimi delivers. Carlo is a major
victim of the play’s miscommunications.
Completing the many romantic triangles
is local favorite Jodee Timpone as elegant
diva Racon. Dante Rei is “Mike.”
As expected, sets, sound, lights and timing
are impeccable. Praise for co-directors
Peggy Page and Michael Wotypka.
Well-deserved acknowledgments to
producer Susan Jasper, music director
Richard Louis-Pierre, stage manager
Alex Stabiner, set construction supervisor
Anthony Homsey and everyone behind
the scenes.
For information on this and future
productions, visit www.rockawaytheatrecompany.
org, call 718-374-6400 or “like”
them on Facebook. As always, save me a
seat on the aisle.
BY CLIFF KASDEN
The vengeful
Danish
prince Hamlet
is onstage in a
riveting revival.
In this latest
twist, multitalented
Laura Frye
is transformed into Shakespeare’s most
infamous character. Th e dark, brooding
story itself refl ects every facet of humankind’s
frailties. It is playing to packed
houses at Queens Th eatre (Flushing
Meadows/Corona Park).
On opening night, Titan Th eatre
Company’s Artistic Director Lenny
Banovez (and managing director Alyssa
van Gorder,) transports this ancient tale
into the 21st century. Scheming, volatile
King Claudius (Michael Selkirk) wears
a modern business suit. Evil, emotional
Queen Gertrude (Annalisa Loeffl er)
is attired in a modern gown and jewels.
Furious Laertes (Andrew Garrett)
brandishes a pistol. Pompous Polonius
(Robert Meksin) sports an expensive
wristwatch.
Th e troupe’s skillfulness includes their
numerous intentional anachronisms
and countless Shakespearean phrases.
Notably, Laura Frye as Hamlet glides
from a male’s artifi ce to anger to feigned
madness with outstanding professional
understanding.
Most of all, it is the cast’s ability to
transform 16th-century English into
relatable situations. Th is is the true mark
of a successful company. Ophelia (Laura
Menzie) rolls her eyes in response to
her father’s endless observations. Titan
journeymen Kevin Stanfa as steadfast,
loyal friend Horatio and Wesley Cady
(Rosencrantz) play easily relevant characters.
T. Stacy Hicks as the player king/
gravedigger adds an unmistakable signature
to his characterizations. Guest artists
Psacoya Guinn, Kelley Kirkley, Anuj
Parikh, Patrick Roache, Dominique Rose,
John St. Croix and Jonathan Smoots ably
complete the ensemble.
Masterful special eff ects include eight
rotatable screens which show wintry exteriors
and bizarre ghostly characterizations.
Compliments to the entire creative
and production teams too numerous to
acknowledge individually.
For information on this and
future productions, click on www.
TITANTh eatreCompany.com or call the
box offi ce at 347-738-5602. As always,
save me a seat on the aisle.
Enjoy unlimited tastings of international brews at World’s Fare at Citi Field
BY QNS STAFF
cocktail with some of the most authentic
food around. Oaxaca Taqueria, Di Risso,
Unlimited beer tastings and global food
C-Bao, Memphis Seoul and more will be
is what you’ll fi nd at the 2nd Annual
on site off ering up their delicious cuisine
World’s Fare, which is returning Citi
for sale.
Field on May 18 and 19.
Don’t miss out on ALL of the curated
Craft beer lovers will be able to have
international food vendors, international
UNLIMITED tastings of over 40 types of
beer garden, live music and dance and the
craft beer from brews from around the
exciting international shopping pavilion.
world. Ticket buyers can choose from two
Prices start at $19 and Unlimited Beer
3-hour-long sessions off ered. Session 1 is
tickets start at $49 so don’t wait – get your
from noon to 3 p.m. and Session 2 is from
tickets to the World’s Fare 2019 today!
4 to 7 p.m.
Citi Field is centrally located in New
Th ey will also have International
York City with parking and many public
Cocktail bars representing diff erent
transportation options. Check out www.
regions of the world where you can enjoy
Th eWorldsFare.nyc for more information.
a specialty cocktail. Pair your beer or
DYNAMIC DENTAL WORK
Photos courtesy of Festival Media
NOW YOU SEE IT NOW YOU DON'T
Dr. Adam Lublin is an Elite Top 1% Preferred Provider for
175-15 Jamaica Avenue, Jamaica • 718-297-4100 • 718-297-4106
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