'Fallen Angels' fly high in Herndon's hit

 Elizabeth Anne Jernigan, left, and Teresa Spencer in Noel Coward's Fallen Angels at NextStop Theatre Company/Photo by Lock and Company

If NextStop's Fallen Angels were on Broadway, the show would last for weeks and weeks because theatergoers would demand it.  One can only hope these "angels" fly longer than intended in Herndon.

I had a "presentiment" I would like it.  Expectations, exceeded.  

It's charming, it's fun, it's a delight.

Two married women lament their passionless marriages (five years) and dream about the one-time lover they both shared (at different times) before they got married.  

Maurice! 

While their husbands (John Strange and James Finley who treat their wives like pets) take off on a golfing trip, Julia (Teresa Spencer) and Jane (Elizabeth Anne Jernigan) spend an evening together, drinking and eating and drinking (mostly) reminiscing about their long lost lover who has written he is coming to town.

As the evening wears on, the ladies gradually get sloshed and wind up crawling on the floor and over and on each other. 

They talk, they sigh, and they dream about Maurice and what was, and what they hope to be!

The more she drinks, the longer and more drawn out are Julia's words which complement her demeanor and attitude, thanks to the artistry of Director Abigail Fine and Ms. Spencer, who also serves as dialect coach.
 
Julia and Jane interlock arms and with their hands, the two become entangled like long vines spreading across the stage.

Sliding from a chair onto the floor with her arms and legs intertwined, Julia is a circus act worthy of Houdini.

At one point last Saturday night, the top of one of the liquor bottles fell impromptu to the floor and while the ladies looked for it from their seats at the dining table, Saunders, the maid (Lorraine Magee), never missed a beat or a moment to scoot under and around the table, hunting the lost top.  

Meanwhile, above her, the actors almost lost it which the audience certainly did. 

The time is 1925 when playwright, Sir Noël Coward (1899-1973)
wrote Angels (soon to celebrate its centennial!). Since he never married and his homosexuality was not publicly revealed until after his death, how did Mr. Coward know so much about married women? 

Angels' costuming by Moyenda Kulemeka and the setting by Emily Lotz are quite fitting, darling, for the era and presentation of residents of an upper-class London flat.

The rich are different from you and me.

An elegant chandelier flanked by two lantern lights on the walls hangs center stage near a velvety Victorian settee. On the side stands a baby grand piano which adds to the mood and refinement.
  
When the ladies' talk turns more romantic as they recall the past, lighting director, James Morrison, dims the lights to a soft hue which quickly change and brighten when life interrupts.
  
The phone rings. 

Someone knocks on the door.  

Maurice?  Is that you? Please come in!  Please come!

Is he a figment of their imaginations? A miracle mirage whom these dreamy travelers believe they see in their desert of life?

Will you come, my Prince in Shining Armour, my darling, and rescue me from my boring existence?
 
Suspense builds.
 
Reid May, sound director, effectively makes noisy, unseen vehicles stop on the street outside the curtained window where the women quickly rush to see who it is. 

It could be Maurice getting out of a car!  Maybe? Perhaps?
 
Meanwhile, females in the audience silently plead for Maurice to show and give a glimmer of hope that Prince Charming does indeed exist.   

The transitions from sophisticated ladies to tanked trollops match increasing audience laughter, a tribute not only to the fine acting by Ms. Spencer and Ms. Jernigan but to Ms. Fine's marvelous directing which keeps the actors in constant motion.

What a delight to attend theatre and have a good time. To not be depressed about the "state of things" like many contemporary playwrights leave us. 

Going to the theatre is a bit like going on a blind date:  You are not sure of what he looks like nor how charming he may be until you get there and a few moments pass. Vulgar language, grey sets, and harsh scripts leave me depressed and downfallen. 

Not a good date, not like the good time I had with Fallen Angels.

The 1925 British censor unenthusiastically let the script pass to the stage, convinced there was no such thing as upperclass women who engaged in premarital sex, let alone, God forbid, thoughts about it while wed!
 
Not so in Amsterdam where the censors knew better and banned the show after a few performances.

In her program notes, Ms. Fine writes that this may be the first production of Fallen Angels in the Washington area.

Also in the cast is Robert Pike. 

Other creative team members are: Hollyann Bucci, assistant director; Alex Wade, properties;  Claire Turner, Cathy Reider, Suzy Alden, scenic painters; Nicholas J Goodman, stage manager; Hollyann Bucci, Marilyn Lopes, Kate York, assistant stage managers; and Jonathan Abolins, electrician

What:  Fallen Angels 
 
When:  Thursday through Saturday nights at 8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Through April 7, 2019 

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 $35. Buy online or through the box office at 866-811-4111.

Duration: About two hours with one intermission

Rating: G

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

patricialesli@gmail.com

Teenage wow 'Wolves' star in Herndon

The cast from The Wolves get in their exercises at NextStop Theatre/Photo by Lock and Company


NextStop Theatre in Herndon has done what no other theatre has done, at least as far as the director Kathryn Chase Bryer knows.  It's put on a show with teenage talent only (and one brief mom).

A magnificent glimpse into the world of teenage girl talk and it's not all about boys.  Very little of it, which surprised me since that's all we talked about in another era, another time when girls were not quite on par with boys, but now... 

Who needs crutches when we can stand on our own legs?  We are The Wolves!

That's the name of the indoor soccer team of nine teen players who exercise, practice and banter about world events (!), Khmer Rouge (!), Cambodia (!), Harry Potter, each other (when the subject is out of earshot, natch), their drunken coach, abortion, society, the future, and what else? 

One has foot-in-mouth disease and makes laughter, but they all work seriously on their simultaneous floor exercises, and they practice kicking the ball (ensuring no member of the audience is tapped). 

Teammates look up in the stands for their coach and in the distance, #46 (Vivian Lemons, Oakton High School) spies a turfed titmouse.  She's the optimist in the pack, who's been isolated from the rest of 'em, home-schooled that she was, and unschooled in the negative, suspicious ways of some of her teammates.

The language is real which means adult, with F bombs and other bad words dropping every few seconds, but that's a warning ticket holders receive at the entrance to the theatre with the notice, too, that some of the content is loud, very loud.

Jordan Hundley, left, and Caroline Coleman go at it in The Wolves at NextStop Theatre/Photo by Lock and Company

The frequent ear-splitting screams by team captain, #25 (Caroline Coleman from Urbana HS) gives one pause to wonder how she has any voice left for the next show.

The acting is light years beyond expectations of high school students, many making their professional debuts, and Ms. Bryer is to be congratulated for exacting exceptional executions from the den. 

Each player is essential with commentary for the mix, including the quiet one, the goalie, #00 (Dominique Kalunga, South Lakes HS) who, after a dream, finds confidence and her voice in the second act.
  
At the beginning of the show, the girls do talk at the same time, and following one of those conversations is impossible until reality brightens understanding that this first burst is short-term and just an introduction to the fast-paced drama which lies ahead.

Costumers Kristina Martin and Marilyn Lopes dress the girls in matching royal blue uniforms with socks to match, and sound man Reid May plays the perfect hip tunes between scenes. 

Men don't play much of a role here.  Nor do mothers.  Girls just want to have fun and meaning.  They have their whole lives in front of them and can howl from any hilltop they choose.

YOLO!

The remaining team members (and schools they attend) are Jordan Hundley (Chantilly), Teryn Cuozzo (Tuscarora), Jordan James (Robinson), Makayla Collins (Annandale), Maya Tischler (Oakton), Rachel Lipetz (Marshall) and understudies:  Ella Stamerra (Woodson), Naomi Bertha (J.E.B. Stuart), and  Kylie Miller (Metropolitan School of the Arts).  One adult, a mom: Vanessa Lock Gelinas.

Other creative crew members are Jonathan Dahm Robertson, scenic designer and Madeline McGrath, painter;  Sarah Tundermann, lighting; Alex Wade, properties; Sarah Usary, stage manager; Laura Moody, assistant stage manager; Jonathan Abolins, electrician, Lisa Hamilton, soccer consultant, and Hilary Joel, movement coach. Evan Hoffman is NextStop's producing artistic director.

What: The Wolves by Sarah DeLappe (her first play which was a 2017 finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama)

When: Through February 24, 2019 on Friday and Saturday nights at 8 p.m., Sundays at 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. and one Thursday show on February 21 at 8 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. A wee big hard to find on a first visit, so allow an extra 15 minutes. The program notes that GPS map systems often give incorrect driving directions once inside the Sunset Business Park. From the "Taste of the World" restaurant, circle counter-clockwise around the building and look for maroon awning. Lots of great restaurants nearby.

Free parking: Available near the door.

Admission: General admission tickets start at $35 with "flexible pricing." (Demand increases prices.) Buy online or through the box office at 866-811-4111.

Duration: About 90 minutes without intermission

Rating: Adult language

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

patricialesli@gmail.com

Herndon's play within a play is '[title of show]'

From left: Bobby Libby, Jennifer Redford, John Loughney, and Katie McManus in NextStop Theatre Company's [title of show]/Photo by Lock and Company


What is the title of this musical?  That's just it: The writers never could find the right one so they settled on [title of show] which is, in a word, "quirky."

In Herndon last weekend,  NextStop Theatre Company's artistic director, Evan Hoffman, introduced the show to the almost sold-out crowd with "We've gone out and hired the best actors" and let'em rip!  As in, no director to tell them what and how to act, where to stand or jump, but the actors ("real-life friends,"  according to Mr. Hoffman's program note) got free rein to work it out themselves, and they did, being experienced and savvy in all things theatre.  They had freedom!

The story is based on true events when two gay guys (Bobby Libby and John Loughney as Jeff and Hunter) start discussion about writing a play for a festival competition. They are soon joined in the venture by two women friends (Katie McManus and Jennifer Redford as Heidi and Susan) but, wait!  They have only three weeks to submit, and as any writer can tell you, the hardest part is the beginning. 

Just get something on paper, will ya?

On a stark set with four mismatched chairs, the foursome set out to work.  They write, they compose, they fight, and refresh, argue, and make it to the finish line, all the while playing musical chairs which they move about to the critically important notes sounded by the electric keyboardist, Elisa Rosman.

The best songs in the non-stop musical presentation are, of course, the harmonies sung in duets and quartets.

On the darkened stage, lighting designer Lynn Joslin successfully aims the spotlight in rapid-fire motion on the speaker, precisely as actors talk in a telephone dialogue.

Mr. Hoffman succeeds as sound designer (in a triple role as producer) with cameras clicking for a photo shoot and phones ringing with many messages.  

It's theatre for theatre with appeal and recognition by performers, crews, writers, producers, directors, and artists.  

Since it's a contemporary show, the costumes and language are adult contemporary, too.


Other members of [title]'s creative team are John J.C. Cincioni, Jr. and Kristin Hessenauer, properties; Nicholas J. Goodman, stage manager; Vanessa Arvidson, assistant stage manager, and Jonathan Abolins, master electrician. 

What: [title of show] with music and lyrics by Jeff Bowen. Book by Hunter Bell

When: Thursday (Jan. 17 and 24), Friday, and Saturday nights at 8 p.m., Sundays, at 7 p.m., Saturday (Jan. 12 and 26) and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. through January 27, 2019 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. A wee big hard to find on a first visit, so allow an extra 15 minutes. The program notes that GPS map systems often give incorrect driving directions once inside the Sunset Business Park. From the "Taste of the World" restaurant, circle counter-clockwise around the building and look for maroon awning. Lots of great restaurants nearby.

Free parking: Available near the door.

Admission: General admission tickets start at $40. Box office: 866-811-4111

Duration: About 90 minutes without intermission

Rating: Adult themes

For more information: 703-481-5930 or info@nextstoptheatre.org
 
patricialesli@gmail.com
 
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Drama in Herndon in 'East of Eden'

From left are Kari Ginsburg, Annie Ottati and John Sygar in John Steinbeck’s East of Eden at NextStop Theatre Company/Photo by Lock and Company

The acting is great. Ditto the set. The set and lighting are terrific. No complaints about the directing.
 
It's just the script which needs work.
The play is East of Eden, NextStop Theatre Company's newest production whose crews excel at their assignments.

It is no surprise that John Sygar who has demanding roles as a father and then a son, was earlier nominated for a Helen Hayes Award.

He is a young newly-wed, Adam Trask, and later, the guilt-ridden son, Caleb, of the father he played in the first act.

In a troubling production that eschews little hope for a sunnier future until the very end, Caleb writhes on the wooden floor in agony and torment over the grief and hurt he brings others, including himself, because of the choices he has made. 

Caleb and his brother, Aron (Annie Ottati) are twins born to Adam and his wife, Kathy (also Annie Ottati).

The play was adapted by Frank Galati from John Steinbeck's 1952 novel of the same name. It is no coincidence that Caleb and Aron have names similar to the first children of Adam and Eve: Cain and Abel. 

Steinbeck's title comes from Genesis 4: 8, 16: "Cain rose up against his brother Abel and slew him... And Cain went away and dwelled in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden."

Like Cain in the Bible story, Caleb struggles to gain his father's love and respect like his father (Zach Brewster-Geisz) bestows on Aron.

Kate (rhymes with hate) is the boys' mother who flees the family after giving birth to her sons.  She does not return. Never one to exude sensitivity or love for anyone else save herself, she is a role model for every misogynist's notebook, a spiteful, bitter person from beginning to end, skillfully portrayed by Kari Ginsburg, also a Helen Hayes nominee.

Here, Kate reminds you of animals which kill their young.

Acting on rumors that their mother is not dead, Caleb goes in search to learn the truth. He tells Aron who joins the Army to fight in World War I.

Until a love triangle develops, Aron's girlfriend (Nina Marti) is the only glimmer of sunshine in the sad yarn.

Kathy is a younger Kate in the first act who fills the venue with piercing screams as she gives birth to her sons in a too-long scene to make every mother wince at the memory. (And, no doubt, some fathers, too. I don't guess you have to be a parent to shrink at the sounds.)

It's not only the mother's yells the audience hears for plenty more lie ahead.
 
Another actor, Reginald Richard, convincingly carries dual responsibilities as the steadfast father and, later, son, Samuel and Will Hamilton, who are Trask neighbors.

Lee (Jacob Yeh) is Adam's right-hand man, a reliable character who assists Adam in running the household.

From left are Nina Marti, Eva Jaber, Lorenzo Aten and Annie Ottati in John Steinbeck’s East of Eden at NextStop Theatre Company/Photo by Lock and Company

The experienced child actors who play young Cal (William Price), Aron (Lorenzo Aten Falconi) and Abra (Eva Jaber) add curiosity and fun at the beginning, and then they grow up.
 
The beginning of this Eden opens with a beautiful landscape setting which hangs as backdrop throughout the show, a constant contrast to the script. Lighting director Brittany Shemuga weaves time's passages in her valley with visual changes in the landscape and sky.

Wooden furniture and surroundings bring warmth to the ambience and help to mask the family's uncomfortable relationships.
 
Adding dimension is the use of 21st century electronic musical accompaniment whose absence is noticeable during short pauses in the dialogue. 

Confusing, at least at first, are the actors who stand silently in the shadows on either side of the stage while another actor representing the same person at a different age speaks. While the adults hold hands and converse, child actors sit on a bed in the shadows and hold hands.
 
For scene changes the actors move furniture, tables, and chairs stored in sight on either side of the stage to the center stage and sometimes slam them in unison on the floor. (Assistant director, Hollyann Bucci, also was the props director.)
 
Moyenda Kulemeka has dressed the actors in beautifully designed costumes for the turning of the century in California.

Until death comes to call, hope sinks with the setting sun east of this Eden.

Others in the cast are Alana Sharp and Nahm Darr.
 
Creative team members are Evan Hoffman, director; Jaclyn Young, wigs; Sarah Usary, stage manager; Laura Moody, assistant stage manager; Casey Kaleba, fight choreographer; Meghan Behm, intimacy director; and Jonathan Abolins, master electrician.

What: East of Eden by John Steinbeck. Adapted for the stage by Frank Galati

When: Thursday (Nov. 8 and Nov. 15) through Saturday nights at 8 p.m., Sundays, at 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m., now through November 18, 2018 with the 2 p.m. matinee.

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. A wee big hard to find on a first visit, so allow an extra 15 minutes. The program notes that GPS map systems often give incorrect driving directions once inside the Sunset Business Park. From the "Taste of the World" restaurant, circle counter-clockwise around the building and look for maroon awning. Lots of great restaurants nearby.

Free parking: Available near the door.

Admission: General admission tickets are $35.

Duration: About two and 15 minutes with one intermission

Rating: Adult themes

For more information: 703-481-5930 or BoxOffice@NextStopTheatre.org
 
patricialesli@gmail.com