The One-Minute Play Festival and Actor’s Express present the 5th Atlanta One-Minute Play Festival featuring works of some of Atlanta’s well-known and not-so-well-known playwrights. Each play lasts one minute of less!
Margaret Baldwin has written and directed plays and performance works throughout the US. Her play Night Blooms received its world premiere at Horizon Theatre Company in Atlanta (2010), and later at Virginia Repertory Theatre in Richmond. Baldwin has an MFA from the Iowa Playwrights Workshop. She is a member of the Dramatists Guild, the Playwrights’ Center, and Theatre Communications Group.
Amber Bradshaw was a co-developer with an ensemble of actors, puppeteers, and video artists in the development of Time to Eat the Dogs (2013) and co-created Learning to Fly (2014). Both pieces were selected to premiere at Atlanta’s Center for Puppetry Arts’s annual Xperimental Puppetry Theater. Learning to Fly was also selected from a field of over seventy international candidates to perform in a Festival of New Works in Quebec, Canada.
Steve Brown is a local comic, and a guy named Steve Brown is listed as one of the playwrights. I have emailed the theater to see whether he is one and the same.
Nick Boretz is a member of Working Title Playwrights, a play development organization in Atlanta. His plays have been done in Los Angeles, Seattle, Off Off Broadway, and Atlanta. He is a recipient of a Schubert Foundation Fellowship and a winner of the Samuel Goldwyn Award for Playwriting at UCLA. Nick also taught Philosophy of Theatre History at UCLA.
Paris Crayton III wrote “Brothers of Affliction,” which led him to start Rising Sage Theatre, which staged his own works its first season.
Paul Donnelly won first and third Prize in the Source Theatre Company National Ten-Minute Playwriting Contest, and was twice nominated for the Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding New Play.
Phillip DePoy’s fiction and non-fiction books have been published and 42 of his plays have been produced. Last year his play Edward Foote ran at the Alliance Theatre.
Topher Payne has been named “Best Local Playwright” by readers of both The GA Voice and Creative Loafing for the last four years. His plays Swell Party and Angry Fags were both nominated for Outstanding World Premiere and The Gene-Gabriel Moore Playwriting Award at the 2013 Suzi Awards- Angry Fags won The Gene-Gabriel Moore Award. His play Perfect Arrangement was selected for the 2013 Source Festival in Washington DC, His play The Medicine Showdown (co-authored with Adam Koplan) was produced in October 2013 at The East 4th Street Theatre in Manhattan, and Georgia Ensemble Theatre premiered his comedy The Only Light in Reno in January 2014.
Peter Hardy has had over thirty productions of his plays produced around the country, and he has won writing awards from At Rise Magazine, the Festival of Southern Theatre and the New Southern Theatre Festival. His play MYSTERIOUS CONNECTIONS was one of 10 plays chosen (out of more than a thousand applicants) to be developed at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center’s National Playwrights Conference in 1993. In 2010 he was named Creative Loafing’s Critic’s Choice for Best Atlanta Playwright. He is the Founding Artistic Director of the Essential Theatre, the leading producer of new plays by Georgia writers, and has overseen their annual Festival for every year since 1999.
Hank Kimmel is the President (and co-founder) of Working Title Playwrights. His plays have been produced or received stage readings around the country. He’s also an attorney and a tennis coach, and one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet.
Jill Patrick is the former managing artistic director at Working Title Playwrights and is a playwright and poet.
Pamela Turner is a playwright and director with credits in the United States, Europe, and the Pacific Islands. Her original plays have appeared at theaters throughout Atlanta, and in New York, California, South Carolina, Germany, Guam, and Ireland.
Ricardo Aponte is a local actor and choreographer, and Hannah Church and Grant McGowen are actors.
I was not given a bio of everyone, and it was not made clear whether different plays will be performed Sunday and Monday. I assume so, but I don’t know. Once I have more info, I will clarify.
The festival will also feature works by Nicole Adkins, Greg Carraway, Daryl Fazio, Neeley Gossett, Daniel Guyton, Megan Hayes, Annie Harrison, Michael Henry Harris, Sarah Hodges, Sandra Hodge-Hampton, Jake Krakovsky, Emily Kleypas, Nicole Kemper, Lee Lyons, Matt Myers, Penny Mickelbury, Laura Meyers, Joshua Mikel, Morgan McGowen, Amina S. McIntyre, Addae Moon, Patrick Morgan, Lee Nowell, Theroun Patterson, Sherry Paulsen, Jordan Pulliam, Sherri Sutton, Rebecca Suellau, Mia Kristin Smith, Mike Schatz, Marki Shalloe, Kathryn Walat, Jacob York, Steve Yockey, Pat Young and more.
They plays will be directed by by Keith Arthus Bolden, James Donadio, Michael Harrison, Hillary Heath, Christina Hoff, Elin Rose Hill, Pam Joyce, Grant McGowen, Rebekah Suellau, Ryan Oliveti, Topher Payne and A. Julian Verner.
The festival runs Sunday and Monday at 8 p.m. at Actor’s Express. The Festival is produced and curated by Dominic D’Andrea. Tickets are $20 and available for purchase online at actors-express.com or by calling 404-607-7469.
Chaz Pofahl, Kirsten Wyatt, Juan Winans, Nick Morrett, Alison Whitehurst, Gracie Jones, Kurt Boehm, Deborah Joy Winans Photo: Greg Mooney
“Born for this: The Bebe Winans Story” is the story of the sibling Grammy Award-winning duo Bebe and Cece Winans and their start at Jim and Tammy Bakker’s Christian television program PTL Club.
The only two black singers in the band, Bebe (Juan Winans) and Cece (Deborah Joy Winans) become Jim (Chaz Pofahl) and Tammy’s (Kirsten Wyatt) favorite pets, their “golden eggs” as the two shepherd in more buzz and star power in the show.
Sometimes nepotism works, but this is one of those times it doesn’t. The real-life brother and sister playing their uncle and aunt miss the heart and soul of the real characters. Wyatt is the star of this show, as she embodies Tammy as if she were her, lighting up the stage with her excitement and crying.
There are 29 songs in the show, and the real singing sensation is Pop Winans (Milton Craig Nealy), the father of the siblings who sings a dynamic a capella version of “I Got A New Home.”
Opening night was grand in that the real BeBe Winans came on stage along with other members of his family who also sing, and Jim Bakker was there as BeBe told stories about how Jim and Tammy were always there for them and gave them so much love. Charles Randolph-Wright talked about the Bakkers and said that back when he was growing up and other celebrities came to his town they would hug the white children but not the black ones, but the Bakkers always hugged them. These types of personal stories were so touching and gave me a whole new outlook on the Bakkers.
Written by Charles Randolph-Wright and BeBe Winans, directed Randolph-Wright, “Born for This: The BeBe Winans Story” runs through May 15 at the Alliance Theatre.
“Kinky Boots,” which won six Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Score and Best Choreography, arrives at the Fox Theatre Tuesday. Four-time Tony Award-winner Harvey Fierstein wrote the book and Cyndi Lauper wrote the score.
Based on an independent film inspired by true events, the story revolves around Charlie, the owner of a failing English shoe factory, and Lola, a drag artist, who team up to serve a niche market making sturdy boots for cross-dressers.
Director and choreographer Jerry Mitchell said he knew the musical would speak to a lot of people the moment he watched the film. “I got very emotionally caught up in the story of the fathers and the sons,” he said. “And I thought, ‘well that to me is the nucleus of something really strong,’ because it’s a universal idea for us: how do we measure up in our fathers’ eyes?”
Producer Daryl Roth felt the same way when she first saw the film at Sundance in 2006. She optioned the musical rights and brought producer Hal Luftig on board. The two enlisted Mitchell and playwright Fierstein, who said he was attracted to the “bromance” between Charlie and Lola, a.k.a. Simon. “The real love story here is these two gentlemen who become friends,” said Fierstein. He said he also was attracted to the theme of self-acceptance, which translates not just to the two lead characters, but all the workers in the factory.
Fierstein called Lauper, whom he had known socially, to write the score. The two-time Grammy Award-winner, who grew up listening to Rodgers and Hammerstein cast albums, said, “Everybody asks the question about pop songs and theater songs. I just think that, in some ways, they’re very similar; and in other ways, they’re not. You need to be economical; you have to say something simply. And you have to have your story – a beginning, middle and end – because if the song goes nowhere, well, what are you talking about?”
Fierstein, a veteran of several musicals, including “La Cage aux Folles,” educated Lauper in writing for the theater. He showed her how to weave music and dialogue effectively, something she resisted at first. Fierstein told her, “When it’s done right, you will never notice, but the show must move on.”
The national touring company of “Kinky Boots” moves to the Fox Theatre March 29 and runs through April 3.
The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra began tonight’s concert playing a medley of Carole King’s most popular tunes, as well as music by Stevie Wonder, Burt Bacharach, Paul McCartney and Paul Simon.
Broadway singers Liz Callaway, Allison Blackwell and Bryce Ryness teamed up during the second half to sing King’s most popular songs, some arranged similarly to the originals, some quite different. My friend called some of the arrangements “hokey” and like “muzak.” Nonetheless, most of the numbers were quite enjoyable. Blackwell received a standing ovation for her rendition of “Natural Woman.”
Midway through the second half, after the band played King’s tunes made famous by others, music conductor Michael Krajewski tested the audience on who the original recording artists were. There was “One Fine Day” originally sung by The Chiffons, the 1962 Drifters hit “Up on the Roof,” Little Eva’s “The Loco-motion,” and The Monkees’ “Pleasant Valley Sunday.” They also performed hits made famous by Herman’s Hermits, Blood, Sweat & Tears, The Carpenters and a song King wrote that was The Beatles recorded on the album “Please, Please Me.”
The music continues one more night, Saturday, March 19 at 8 p.m. at Atlanta Symphony Hall.
“Disgraced,” the Pulitzer Prize-winning play now at the Alliance Theatre, is like a keg of dynamite. Full of drama and a cast of five dynamic actors, it looks at prejudice as two married couples — a Jewish man and a black woman, and a Muslim man and a white woman– get together for dinner. Playwright Ayad Akhtar delves into prejudice without being didactic, while presenting intense Mamet-like characters who love, taunt and betray one another. The play whips by in about 95 minutes and is nothing less than outstanding.
Directed by Susan V. Booth, “Disgraced” runs through Feb. 14 on the main stage at the Alliance Theatre.
Cast:
Andrew Benator . . . . . . . . . . . Isaac
Andrew Ramcharan Guilarte . . . . . . Amir
Tinashe Kajese-Bolden . . . . . . . . Jory
Courtney Patterson . . . . . . . . . . Emily
Ali Sohaili . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Abe
You may have missed the Sean Dorsey Dancers perform “The Missing Generation” this week, but you can join them in a discussion and free brunch at 1 p.m. and see them perform at 5 p.m. Sunday. The performance features recordings of real AIDS patients who lived through those rough times in the 1980s when the disease was first discovered. The gestural modern dance features some classic dance and minimal acting. Although the dance and acting techniques are not at high levels, the performance does project the feelings and voices of those who have suffered and those who died from the deadly virus. In the wake of the congressional hearing of Martin Shkreli, the pharma CEO who in September hiked up an AIDS drug more than 5,000 percent to $750 for one pill, the talk and dance are timely.
Sean Dorsey Dance presents a free brunch and discussion on AIDS at 1 p.m. and a performance of “The Missing Generation” Sunday, Feb. 7. at 7 Stages.
Cast:
Sean Dorsey
Brian Fisher
ArVejon Jones
Nol Simonse
Atlanta Ballet puts on a spellbinding production of “Moulin Rouge-The Ballet,” a story of love, betrayal and loss at the famous Moulin Rouge cabaret in Paris. The dancers manage to act without words but with behaviors and movements that are heartfelt without ever being over the top. The ballet tells the love story of Matthew, an aspiring painter who comes to Paris to seek his fortune, and Nathalie, a poor, young woman who gets chosen to become a dancer at the Moulin Rouge. Jealousy and rivalry ensue with the other Moulin Rouge dancers try to push and shove Nathalie out of the limelight and when the club’s owner wants Nathalie to leave Matthew for himself.
Atlanta Ballet presents a brilliant performance with romantic Paris settings and beautiful costumes. Originally commissioned and first produced by Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet in 2009, choreography by Jorden Morris, Atlanta Ballet’s production of “Moulin Rouge – The Ballet” runs through Feb. 13 at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.
Buddy and Jovie
This is why you have to see theater: unexpected pleasures like “Elf: The Musical.” Based on the film “Elf” by David Berenbaum, this musical is different from the movie. This new script and main character, Elf (Daniel Patrick Smith) are laugh-out-loud funny! The non-offensive adult humor slips right by the minds of children, but adults will get the double entendres. However, what makes this show outstanding is Daniel Patrick Smith, who is beguiling and dazzling as Buddy, the elf. With a boyish Ira Glass-like voice, a dramatic animated flair like David Sedaris, and an overzealous joy for life, you never know what to expect from this 30-year-old elf. With a hilarious mocking impression of Whitney Houston and Frankie Valli, campy dance moves, and a cool seduction of a young woman he falls in love with, Smith is a force to be reckoned with.
The music is a mixture of big band sounds and old musicals from the 1950s with simple lyrics, some which are quite funny.
Book by Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin, Music by Matthew Sklar and lyrics by Chad Begueliln, directed by Sam Scalamoni, “Elf: The Musical” runs through Sunday, Dec. 6 at The Fox Theatre.
Carolyn Cook: Photo by Christopher Bartelski
“Blackberry Winter” is practically a one-woman show about a middle-aged woman who is dealing with her mother’s Alzheimer’s disease. Vivienne Avery (Carolyn Cook) flits about her home talking to the audience about her mother who must move out of an assisted living home into a nursing home. Dressed in a prim knee-length skirt and a 1980s-style silky blouse with a bow on it, Vivienne drones on and on in her thick Southern accent with a prim affectation. Miss Priss is quite prone to cussing and has a rule about putting money in a piggy bank each time she says a cuss word. She says she has been putting money in the bank for a while, but when she puts the money in, it drops right to the bottom sounding as if there has had next to nothing put in there save for this one night. Either she, too, is getting Alzheimer’s or the director (Ariel Fristoe) forgot to add money to the bank so it doesn’t sound as if this is the first time she has put money into it.
Vivienne speaks for what feels like at least 20 minutes each about scarves that her mother has bought her and about the way to make a coconut cake. There’s an analogy and a cartoon on video screens about creatures in the forest that build memories their whole lives and store them in a box, but when they are older and a White Egret (Maia Knispel) goes to the box to recapture, they are no longer there because the Gray Mole (Joe Sykes) stole them. That whole scenario feels like it takes another 20 minutes.
This play, which probably lasts 1 hour and 45 minutes with no intermission, feels s-l-o-w. Sykes, whose hands are bound in heavy rope and is blindfolded, embodies the mole and is entertaining as he claws and gnaws his way into the box of memories.
This is the world premiere of “Blackberry Winter,” and it is scheduled to run in eight other theaters around the country. Written by Steve Yockey, “Blackberry Winter” runs through Nov. 22 at Actor’s Express.
