Author Archives: Christopher Arnott
The Three Sisters Review
Three Sisters By Anton Chekhov. A new version by Sarah Ruhl. Based on a literal translation by Elise Thoron with Natalya Paramonova and Kristin Johnsen-Neshati. Directed by Les Waters Scenic Designer: Annie Smart. Costume Designer: Ilona Somogyi. Lighting Designer: David Budries. Dramaturg: Rachel Steinberg. Stage Manager: James Mountcastle. Performed by Natalia Payne (Masha), Wendy Rich … Continue reading
Sinthea Starr Shines on Westville’s Lyric Hall: An Interview with Her Muse Joel Vig
“I first met Sinthea Starr aboard the Theatre Guild ship when Joy Behar was supposed to join us but got snowed in in New York. We had 25 minutes, but needed to get 55 ready, while sailing. “Sinthea Starr had performed before, a single number. So I had seen her perform at that time. Since … Continue reading
The Norman Conquests on DVD: Ayckbourn with camera angles
A BBC radio documentary found online this week (Ayckbourn in Action, on Radio 4) shows a side of Alan Ayckoborn not often considered by the prolific playwright’s more casual fans—namely that he’s also a prolific director. Indeed, Ayckbourn is quoted in the program saying he considers himself a director first and a writer second The … Continue reading
Ukulele Faustus: Chris Arnott plays tonight
I have a ukulele gig tonight (Thursday, Sept. 22) at the New Haven club Café Nine. I mention it because, as part of what I laughingly call my “act,” I perform a ukulele variation on the incantation speech from Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus. Just the one scene so far, but I’m working on more. My father … Continue reading
Conan Doyle or Doyly Carte?
Sherlock Holmes and the Ghosts of Bly and Other New Adventures of the Great Detective By Donald Thomas (Pegasus Books, New York). Thomas is such an accomplished hand at writing Sherlock Holmes yarns that he overwrites and overindulgesd, lulling you into complete credulity. When he writes at length about a late-19th century actor-manager named Caradoc … Continue reading
A Broken Umbrella Strikes Westville Again
A Broken Umbrella Theatre Company delights in site-specific productions that bring to light darkened corners of New Haven history. Last Halloween they staged a creepy new play Vaudevillain, about an actual Westville murder case from the early 20th century, for which they led audiences around and through the newly renovated Lyric Hall in present-day Westville. … Continue reading
The YSD Three
The news has gotten around in other ways, but I just received the official press release for the three Yale School of Drama productions this season. These are the thesis projects for the three students in the School’s directing program. They also serve as showcase for the directors’ classmates in the acting, design and management … Continue reading
Two Newish Mystery Novels About Antiquing and Community Theater
“Cozy” mysteries are all the rage—or all the lack of rage, since they tend to be about settled, elderly folks solving mysteries in quaint rural communities. Naturally, in such adventures, community theater comes up. Backstage Stuff—A Jane Wheel Mystery By Sharon Fiffer (Minotaur Books, 2011) She hates the script, but private investigator and antiques enthusiast … Continue reading
One Knows, Don’t One?
The cast and creative team of the impending Long Wharf Theatre production of Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Oct. 26-Nov. 20) has been announced, and every member has been involved in some previous production of the same show. Which is appropriate, since this isn’t one of those Long Wharf musicals which seeks to reinterpret large-cast classics for a … Continue reading