Author Archives: Christopher Arnott
The Unsinkable Molly Sweeney: An Interview with the Irish Repertory Theatre’s Ciaran O’Reilly
The first show of the Long Wharf’s 2011-12 season was the last one chosen for it. Molly Sweeney wasn’t mentioned at the theater’s season-announcement event in May. Long Wharf’s artistic director Gordon Edelstein explains that while he was looking for something economical, with a small cast, to fill the remaining mainstage slot on the sched, … Continue reading
The Fabulous Invalid, Undead
Every Zombie Eats Somebody Sometime By Michael Spradlin. Illustrated by Jeff Weigel. Something inside me died when I read/sang my way through this latest literary exploitation of the undead. It’s strictly a songbook, line-for-line rewrites in which loving and romancing is replaced with biting and eating. That doesn’t bother me. The humor may not … Continue reading
Replacement Cast
I did a big review/feature on Gorman Bechard’s Replacements documentary Color Me Obsessed over at my other writing place. Got me thinking about the theater crossover potential of that hallowed sloppy-yet-savvy rock band. Lead guitarist Bob Stinson often wore a tutu onstage. When particularly soused, the band would cover showtunes such as “Hello Dolly.” Would … Continue reading
The Talk Radio Review
Talk Radio By Eric Bogosian. Presented by New Haven Theater Company through Sept. 17 at Ultra Radio, 242 College Street, New Haven. Directed by Hallie Martenson. Performed by Peter Chenot (Barry Champlain), Erich Greene (Stu Noonan), Hilary Brown (Linda MacArthur), Steve Scarpa (Jack Woodruff), Jack Rogers (Kent), Marty Tucker (Sid Greenberg/Callers), Jenny Schuck (Dr. Susan … Continue reading
Dell M for Movement
Had a fun ‘phone chat the other day with several members of Dewey Dell. The brash young Italian movement troupe has been at Wesleyan University in Middletown for the past week leading student workshops and performing the U.S. premieres of two of their distinctively colorful, kinetic and techno-pulsed movement theater pieces. The 20-minute two-character work … Continue reading
The Samantha the Social Butterfly Review
I hope the guy in back with the overturned sundae on his head gets cast as the wacky servant. In the story (from Betty & Veronica #252, the April 2011 issue), Betty prepares for her Samantha role by actually living in Veronica’s house, with her own private maid. On opening night, Betty’s friend Nancy compliments … Continue reading
Belleville, Population Four
The spirit of Sarah Ruhl will still rule the Yale Rep, even after her season-opening adaptation of Chekhov’s Three Sisters ends its run. The Rep’s just announced the cast of the second Rep show of the 2011-12 season, Belleville by Amy Herzog. The central role of Abby will be played by Maria Dizzia, whose last … Continue reading
Still Hanging on Fringes
Some of you might be wondering whatever became of Aoife Spillane-Hinks. I’ve known Aoife since she was a tot, dashing around auditoriums following the grueling grown-up productions which her mother, theater critic for the New Haven Independent (the long-defunct 1980s print one, not the current online one) would bravely bring her to. Aoife attended the … Continue reading
Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most
The impetuous youth whirlwind pop spectacle Spring Awakening didn’t waste any time getting its performance rights into the hands of eager college theaters once the Broadway hit finally stopped touring. At least four Connecticut colleges have already announced plans to do Duncan Sheik and Steven Sate‘s modern-rock take on Frank Wedekind’s early 20th century “children’s … Continue reading