74 THE QUEENS COURIER • BUZZ • NOVEMBER 1, 2018 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
buzz
A VIEW FROM
THE CLIFF
BY CLIFF KASDEN
LATW returns to Queens
Th e famed Los Angeles Th eatre Works
has returned to our borough. Th eir
unique dramas combining old style radio
formats with cutting-edge visuals brings
“Steel Magnolias” to the main stage at
Queens Th eatre.
At an energetic talkback aft er the show,
the six actors respond to audience queries.
Cast member and tour manager
Cerris Morgan Moyer explains how their
heavy Louisiana accents are perfected.
For Moyer, her husband from Dallas and
a professional dialect coach provides the
inspiration.
When asked how LATW selects their
projects, the troupe responds that they
react to today’s political climate. Th ey
explain that both personally and globally
the comedy/drama helps celebrate
women’s strength, unity and the ability
to share deep emotions. Th ey joke
that eccentric characters are frequently
portrayed in their productions. Elisa
Bocanegra playing extroverted “Truvy”
anchors the show. Although she does
not join the aft ernoon Q&A, her presence
is felt as one of the strong, but gentle
“steel magnolias.” Her dear friends at the
1980s beauty salon include Shannon Holt
as grumpy “Ousier,” Monica McSwain
as fragile but determined “Shelby,”
Inger Tudor as her pragmatic mother
“M’Lynn” and Patti Yasutake as wealthy
widow “Clairee.”
Directed by Brian Kite, the cast shares
the audience’s expectations that their
traveling troupe will return for a third
visit very soon. For information on this
and future performances, surf to www.
queenstheatre.org or call 718-760-0064.
As always, save me a seat on the aisle.
Titan’s ‘Tempest’ is witty, wonderful
Reinforcing Shakespeare’s comedy/
drama “Th e Tempest” with outstanding
visual and physical humor, the cast of
Titan Th eatre off er their opening night
performance at Queens Th eatre (at
Flushing Meadows Corona Park) with a
touch of wit and wonder.
Director Lenny Banovez has adapted
this production for more modern, less
Shakespeare-savvy audiences. Th e characters
are colorfully costumed in both
whimsical and realistic styles (Anthony
Paul-Cavaretta costume design).
Managing director Kevin Beebee brings
experienced guest artists, resident performers
and journeyman to the stage to
create a likable, watchable evening.
Th e story involves sorcerer Prospero
who has been banished to a faraway island.
He uses his powers to create a fi erce tempest
that seemingly shipwrecks his enemies
on the very same island. Prospero is
played with intelligence and confi dence
by Terry Layman. His lovely, trusting
daughter Miranda (Ann Flanigan) off ers
a combination of smiles and wonderment
as she reacts to events, including her marriage
to Ferdinand (Brandon A. Wright).
We meet the delightful sprite Ariel
(Devri Chism) early in the fi rst act. Her
mischievous personality is irresistible. She
fl its across the stage with equal parts acrobat
and ballerina. Th e paradoxically likable
monster Caliban (Tristan Colton)
ably inhabits his role thanks to his own
clever interpretation and his half fi sh/half
man costume.
A combination of drunks, fools, usurpers,
assassins and good guys (Jake Russo,
Kevin Stanfa, Marcus Denard Johnson,
Michael Selkirk, Ellen Fiske, T. Stacy
Hicks and Evan Wilberg) all combine for
an aff ectionate tribute to Shakespeare’s
enduring genius. Bravo!
For info on this and future
Titan productions, surf to www.
TITANtheatrecompany.com, call 347-
738-5602, “Like” them on Facebook, visit
Instagram or Twitter. As always, save me
a seat on the aisle.
‘The King & I’ is a
Queens smash
Dozens of eager children sing, dance
and perform with uninhibited energy
and joy. It is opening night for Th eatre
by the Bay’s version of Rodgers and
Hammerstein’s beloved musical “Th e
King and I.” Of course, the adults also
provide theatrical guidance and outstanding
talent. Welcome to a magical
visit to the king of Siam and his court
in the mid-1860s.
British widow, Anna is played by
Nili Resnick. Her character is reeling
from the death of her husband. Along
with son Louis (Nathan McBride) she
has sailed to Southeast Asia to educate
the Siamese royal family. Resnick plays
her role with a perfectly paradoxical
combination of fragility and fi rmness.
Little do they know they will change
the lives of the king and his dozens of
children forever!
Kyle Cheng as the king off ers a
clever, charming interpretation of a
powerful man, caught between the
changing tides of modern science and
ancient dogma. Unforgettable songs
including “I Whistle a Happy Tune,”
“Getting to Know You,” “Hello Young
Lovers” and “Shall We Dance!” are
performed with elegance. Musical
director Sue Sussman and the orchestra
provide tasteful accompaniment.
Th e palace’s sets (by Colin O’Leary)
are bright without appearing garish.
Supporting players include Angelo
DiBiasi as the Prime Minister, Patrick
A. Reilly (the captain/Sir Ramsay),
Alice Kim as rebellious Tuptim, Daniel
Lee Segredo as her doomed lover, Peter
David Zhong Hyo Jin Shin, Kenneth
Vuong, Amanda Wang and Lin Lin
Chen. Th e royal wives and royal children
totaling almost two dozen performers
are an absolute joy to watch.
Th e creative team led by director
Cathy Chimenti delivers a polished
performance mixed with warmth
and wisdom. Choreographer Jenifer
Badamo guides the many students
from pre-K to college with remarkable
precision. Well done! Costumes
by Th ea Sieban are colorful and tasteful.
Of course, executive producer
Martha Stein with producers Barbara
and Eli Koenig and Helene Schwartz
provide incalculable assistance behind
the scenes. Kudos as well to the entire
production team, too numerous to
acknowledge by name.
For information on this and future
productions, call 718-428-6363, surf to
www.theatrebythebayny.com or “like”
them on Facebook. As always, save me
a seat on the aisle.
/www.TITANtheatrecompany.com
/www.queenstheatre.org
/www.queenstheatre.org
/www.TITANtheatrecompany.com
/www.theatrebythebayny.com
