Herndon's unordinary night at the theatre

Carl Williams as Warren and Anna Phillips-Brown as Deb in Ordinary Days at NextStop Theatre Company/Photo by Lock and Company

It could be your extraordinary day, like it is for the foursome in NextStop Theatre's newest production, Ordinary Days.

Seize the opportunity!

Welcome change every day, new acquaintances and relationships, whoever or what awaits your life and pleasure around the next bend.

If you are lucky like Deb (Anna Phillips-Brown) who loses her thesis, you'll meet Warren (Carl Williams), a blissfully happy artist (huh? Artists are "happy"? He must not be an artist!) who finds and returns Deb's papers to brighten her life and those around Warren. (We all could use a little "Warren" in our lives.) 

Or, take a couple who is not a couple, but wait! Maybe, they are, after all. Bobby Libby is Jason and Sarah Anne Sillers is Claire, the twosome who "find each other" like Deb's papers and Warren "find" Deb.


Do you sometimes wish that the search for meaning and a better life would end so we could just ride along for the sheer enjoyment of another day? It is not to be among most of this crew of dissatisfied 20-and 30-somethings in New York City, but that's New York, isn't it?

 
The stars are the excellent acting which supply zest and humor to the musical, almost engulfed by Ms. Phillips-Brown's strong voice and dynamic personality. One couple contemplates marriage, and the other joins in to wonder what brought them together. Their lives cross. 

It's not always about sex.

Without the non-stop accompaniment by Elisa Rosman on the keyboards (who has no time for even one quick breather), these "ordinary days" would be anything but extraordinary. The one-woman orchestra ties it all together with energetic playing and direction. A total musical with ne'er a word spoken.

Upon entering the theatre, you experience the sensation that you have below you (the seats are elevated with excellent viewing from all) a surrealistic scene or gallery in a museum which indeed is what it is at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Beyond its walls, the exteriors become effective places for coffee and chats while the interior nicely transitions into an apartment for the reckoning of said betrothed couple. (JD Madsen was the scenic designer.)

Visuals of contemporary Big Apple scenes are projected on three screens throughout the show, and although they often change, the dialogue and action are not disrupted.

Adam Gwon wrote the music and the lyrics.

Jay D. Brock directs. Other creative team members are
Kristen P Ahern, costumes;  Doug Del Pizzo, lighting; Evan Hoffmann, sound; Chris Foote, properties; Laura Moody, production stage manager; Quoc Tran, rehearsal stage manager and assistant director; Regan Hattersley, assistant stage manager; and Suzy Alden, scenic painter.

What: Ordinary Days 

Duration:  About 90 minutes without intermission

When:  Through Mar. 15, 2020 at 2 p.m. Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday, March 8, at 7 p.m., Sunday matinees at 2 p.m., and a Saturday matinee, March 14 at 2 p.m.  

Where: NextStop Theatre Company, 269 Sunset Park Drive, Herndon, VA 20170 in the back right corner of Sunset Business Park, near the intersection of Spring Street/Sunset Hills Road. Right off the Fairfax County Parkway. Lots of great restaurants nearby.

Tickets:  Start at $40.  
 

Language: Rated X 

Lighted, free parking: Available near the door. 

Refreshments: Available and may be taken to seats

For more information: 703-481-5930 or info@nextstoptheatre.org

patricialesli@gmail.com

NextStop Theatre presents MLK Jr.'s last night

Shayla Simmons and Curtis McNeil in NextStop Theatre Company's The Mountaintop/Photo by Lock and Company

What would it have been like for him at the Lorraine Motel with a housekeeper he had never met?

It's unlikely you would come up with a script bearing any resemblance to the show now playing at NextStop Theatre in Herndon. And maybe, like me, you had not envisioned his last night, or wondered about the script for The Mountaintop which is far better than expected.

Only two actors appear (Curtis McNeil and Shayla Simmons)  and their outstanding performances surely will net them and the director, Kevin McAllister, Helen Hayes nominations.


It always helps when an actor looks like the real-life character he (or she) portrays, and NextStop managers got it just right with Mr. McNeil's selection. He delivers a powerful, unforgettable performance, strengthened by costume designer Paris Francesca's attire of the white shirt and tie Dr. King wore in every picture or video in memory. 


Ms. Simmons is a sassy flirt, "Camae," a hotel maid here,who prompts lots of laughs on this surprising night with its sad ending. The two spend time in the motel room together, having some fun before life's tragedies convene to end it all.

Mr. King's weaknesses do not go unnoticed.

The mention of a cellphone is puzzling, but the pieces shortly fit together and hint at future dialogue.

It was shocking to hear Dr. King's age (1929-1968). He was only 39?  Every year his achievements grow in stature, recognized on MLK Jr. Day.

At the end, Mr. McNeil's wrenching portrait left him almost gasping for breath as he seemed to struggle to regain composure and receive the ovation from the standing audience.

Evan Hoffmann, scenic designer, and Alex Wade, properties designer, match their set to the actual room at the Lorraine (with the exception of the color; for some strange reason, they chose a peach, perhaps because the actual was a dull tan). 

Yaritza Pacheco's sounds not only frighten Dr. King, but their perfectly timed mad claps of thunder (it must have rained that night) jolt the audience, too.

Kudos to Mr. Hoffmann, also the theatre's artistic director, and Abigail Fine, managing director, who chose the production to educate guests and honor Martin Luther King Jr., in a prelude to Black History Month celebrated every February.

The award-winning playwright, Katori Hall, is from Memphis.

Other members of the creative team are Lynn Joslin, lighting; Samba Pathak, projections; Sarah Usary, production stage manager; Jordan Ross, rehearsal stage manager; Lynda Bruce, assistant stage manager; and Suzy Alden, scenic painter.

The Lorraine Motel, Memphis, now the home of the National Civil Rights Museum/Wikipedia

What: The Mountaintop by Katori Hall

Duration:  About 90 minutes without intermission

When:  Through Feb. 2, 2020 with the last show at 2 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 2. Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 26, at 7 p.m., Sunday matinees at 2 p.m., and a Saturday matinee, Feb. 1 at 2 p.m.  

Where: NextStop Theatre Company, 269 Sunset Park Drive, Herndon, VA 20170 in the back right corner of Sunset Business Park, near the intersection of Spring Street/Sunset Hills Road. Right off the Fairfax County Parkway. Lots of great restaurants nearby.

Tickets:  Start at $35. Front row tickets are free for local high school students and their teachers.
 
Language: Rated X 

Lighted, free parking: Available near the door. 

Refreshments: Available and may be taken to seats

For more information: 703-481-5930 or info@nextstoptheatre.org

patricialesli@gmail.com

 

'Aretha' is alive in Herndon!

Kayla Gross is Aretha Franklin in NextStop Theatre Company's Beehive/Photo by Lock and Company

You just thought she had passed.  

Guuurrrrlllll...When you hear Kayla Gross sing Aretha and belt out those tunes, you'll think you've gone to heaven and are right there with the star, I promise you that. 

Landsakes alive, you're in Herndon at the NextStop Theatre, swayin' and wavin' and rockin' with the rest of 'em, to Aretha's hymns and a few more, like about 30 from all sorts of swingin' 60s singers which this show is all about.

It's not just Aretha!  No sirree.  How about Janis Joplin, Tina Turner, Lesley Gore, the Shirelles, Supremes, Chiffons, Connie Francis, and more! How about that?  Let's go to the show!

The cast of Beehive now on stage at Herndon's NextStop Theatre Company/Photo by Lock and Company

The singing is big, brassy, and feisty (Lawdhavemercy! That Hilary Morrow can shake a tail feather!), and the name of the show is Beehive where those bees are buzzing just fine and flying around and having themselves a good time and carrying the audience right along with them, yes, they are. 

I loved this Beehive (which refers to big hair designed by Maude Salon and not insects).

It was a happy time, and the girls don't just sing.  They dance all night long and change costumes rapid fire, costume designer Sandra Spence made sure of that. 

All six actresses are way done up and beautiful in about 20 different outfits each, it seemed, and dominated by white go-go boots. (Applause to wardrobe assistants who helped with changes.)


If I have to name favorite performances, all of them made the cut, but definitely, the solos I would welcome hearing again, most strengthened by the ensemble, especially 
 Bethel Elias when it comes to Aretha.

Ms. Morrow's sexy, naughty "You Don't Own Me" set the pace which the others mastered with skill and pizazz. 

When Rebecca Ballinger comes out from behind a curtain in a semi-formal gown wearing long white gloves and a corsage to sing Connie Francis and "Where the Boys Are," she's better than Connie Francis singing "Where the Boys Are," and I'll wager there wasn't one person over a certain age in the audience who didn't go back decades remembering, remembering...


Tina Turner's "Proud Mary" led by Shayla Lowe was a crowd favorite, and then there was Allison Bradbury who sings Janis Joplin better than Janis Joplin, and she had no trouble electrifying the audience. (She plays guitar, too.)

Another favorite early on was "One Fine Day" with Ms. Lowe, Ms. Bradbury, and Ms. Ballinger.

Beehive's Creator Larry Gallagher smartly mixed the numbers up with fast and slow tunes.

The set (by Jack Golden) is what's expected, no more, no less: A performing stage with glittering, shimmering curtains, changing lights, elevation, and a utility pole or two on which to cling, slink and sing. Who needs set changes when magnetic actors and their songs lock our attention?

Marika Countoris is one of the music directors, joined by  Matthew Winslow Brown who plays keyboards and leads the orchestra of five other musicians who are a huge factor in the show's success. 

Fabulous choreography by Shaylyce Hemby match the beats and the effusive energy of these versatile singers.

At the start a few male audience members were asked to join the frolics on stage, but the majority's resistance convinced me they were genuine and not "plants." (One accepted the invitation for a few brief seconds for his "night in the lights.")

It's not all rosy at NextStop. Just before intermission the stage darkens and the unforgettable video of Walter Cronkrite is played to remind us that JFK was shot dead, as if we could forget. Please, leave it out. Girls just want to have fun. 

Despite that sad interruption, you may find yourself humming later a few bars of whatever tunes you remember the most. For me, it's You Don't Own Me which is still making the rounds in my head.  

Opening night was a sell-out and set the stage for the remainder of the run, once word gets to the street about the sheer entertainment Beehive is, the most enjoyable I've seen at NextStop.  


Director Monique Midgette can put this one in her "win" column, for sure. 

Other creative team members are Brittany Shemuga, lighting; Kevin Alexander, sound; Alex Wade, properties;
Laura Moody, production stage manager; Quoc Tran, rehearsal stage manager and assistant, lighting; Rachel Appel and Kelly McNesby, assistant stage managers; Suzy Alden, scenic painter; Rachel Holcomb, master electrician; Kristin Hamby and Jeremy Jackson, sound mixers;

In the orchestra: Mitch Bassman and Allen Howe, tenors;
Andrew Velez and Mark Davis, trumpets; Rick Peralta, guitar; Jonas Creason, bass; T.J. Maistros and Kendell Haywood, percussion.

What: Beehive by Larry Gallagher

When: Now through September 22, 2019, Friday and Saturday nights at 8 p.m.; Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.; Sunday, Sept. 8 at 7 p.m.; Thursday, Sept. 12 and 19 at 8 p.m.; Saturday matinee, Sept. 21 at 2 p.m. Check dates and times.

Where: NextStop Theatre Company, 269 Sunset Park Drive, Herndon, VA 20170 in the back right corner of Sunset Business Park, near the intersection of Spring Street/Sunset Hills Road. Right off the Fairfax County Parkway. Lots of great restaurants nearby.

Lighted, free parking: Available near the door.

Admission: General admission tickets start at $40. Buy online or through the box office at 866-811-4111.

Duration: About 90 minutes with one 15-minute intermission

Rating: G

Refreshments: Available and may be taken to seats

For more information: 703-481-5930 or info@nextstoptheatre.org

patricialesli@gmail.com