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‘Nine’ complex, courageous; ‘My Brain Hurts IV’ bawdy
By: Russ Simmons, Theater reviewer
NINE
You’ve got to give a tip of the hat to the brave gang at the Barn Players Theatre. They have recently taken risky challenges to bring audiences some theatrical fare that is not often seen on a local level.
That is certainly true of “Nine,” the 1982 Tony Award-winning musical adaptation of Federico Fellini’s 1963 autobiographical film, “8 ½.”
This complex, metaphorical comedy employs magic realism and recursion to examine an artist suffering from creative block.
No, this isn’t your grandparents’ lighthearted froth. Playwright Arthur Kopit and songwriter Maury Yeston jump gleefully into the heady world of critical self-examination and the various pitfalls one encounters in the pursuit of happiness.
Tim Cormack takes the lead role as filmmaker Guido Contini, an egotistical auteur whose selfish ways make life difficult for his wife, Luisa (Jennifer Scofield), and his various mistresses, including Carla (Vanessa Harper), Claudia (Jennie Williams) and producer Liliane (Laura Jacobs).
Director Nino Casisi keeps most of his large ensemble on stage during much of the show, casually observing the frustrated Guido as he attempts to figure out how he’s going to deliver a movie that he is contractually obligated to make. He hopes for an epiphany while lounging and carousing at a Venetian spa.
The action swings back and forth between Guido’s memories/fantasies and the reality that binds him. In his furtive imagination, he often encounters his late mother (Melinda Whitman) and his 9-year-old self (Malena Rose Marcase).
While the vocal talent on display is competent, some of the actors don’t project their characters far beyond the first row. Another complication is the set, which severely limits the choreographic possibilities, a major element in most productions of this show.
The songs are haunting, though. The best moment belongs to young Marcase, whose lovely rendition of the song “Getting Tall” provides a memorably moving moment.
While the production has its problems, in terms of audacity and courage, everyone involved scores a “nine.”
“Nine” runs through Feb. 24 at the Barn Players Theatre, 6219 Martway, Mission. For information, call 432-9100.
MY BRAIN HURTS IV
Bold and bawdy, fearless and funny, the gang of improvisational comics known as Full Frontal Comedy is once again showcasing its collective talents in an abbreviated fashion.
“My Brain Hurts IV” is a compilation of 30 plays presented in a fast and feverish 60 minutes. These skits were born out of improvisations by the FFC performers and take satiric stabs at contemporary politics and pop culture.
The FFC ensemble currently consists of performer/director Tina Morrison, Shelly Stewart, Carolyn Lay, Joyce Halford, Joel Morrison, Paul DeMerchant, Ryan Seymour and Dave Martin.
Overhead, the company members have placed 30 numbered cards with the titles of each sketch on the back. Taking cues from the audience, the players perform these skits in the order demanded by the crowd. If the cast members can complete all 30 plays in the hour allotted, each audience member receives a prize.
Naturally, contemporary politicians like Hillary Clinton and Mitt Romney are targets of FFC’s wrath, as are Wal-Mart, Arby’s and Carl Peterson.
All of the cast members are given a chance to showcase their considerable acting skills and comic timing. Stewart as the most popular girl at the junior high dance, Seymour as “Funkyman” and DeMarchant as a lustful prison inmate provide some of the show’s funniest moments.
Joel Morrison, adept at keyboards and guitar, is responsible for some memorable musical mayhem.
Audiences should be warned that the FFC shows are of a very adult nature, employing colorful language and dealing with mature subject matter.
Open-minded folks will find plenty to laugh at, though. Plus, after only one hour, you’ll leave wanting more.
“My Brain Hurts IV” runs through Feb. 16 at the Olathe Community Theatre, 500 E. Loula. For information, call (816) 623-3557.
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You’ve got to give a tip of the hat to the brave gang at the Barn Players Theatre. They have recently taken risky challenges to bring audiences some theatrical fare that is not often seen on a local level.
That is certainly true of “Nine,” the 1982 Tony Award-winning musical adaptation of Federico Fellini’s 1963 autobiographical film, “8 ½.”
This complex, metaphorical comedy employs magic realism and recursion to examine an artist suffering from creative block.
No, this isn’t your grandparents’ lighthearted froth. Playwright Arthur Kopit and songwriter Maury Yeston jump gleefully into the heady world of critical self-examination and the various pitfalls one encounters in the pursuit of happiness.
Tim Cormack takes the lead role as filmmaker Guido Contini, an egotistical auteur whose selfish ways make life difficult for his wife, Luisa (Jennifer Scofield), and his various mistresses, including Carla (Vanessa Harper), Claudia (Jennie Williams) and producer Liliane (Laura Jacobs).
Director Nino Casisi keeps most of his large ensemble on stage during much of the show, casually observing the frustrated Guido as he attempts to figure out how he’s going to deliver a movie that he is contractually obligated to make. He hopes for an epiphany while lounging and carousing at a Venetian spa.
The action swings back and forth between Guido’s memories/fantasies and the reality that binds him. In his furtive imagination, he often encounters his late mother (Melinda Whitman) and his 9-year-old self (Malena Rose Marcase).
While the vocal talent on display is competent, some of the actors don’t project their characters far beyond the first row. Another complication is the set, which severely limits the choreographic possibilities, a major element in most productions of this show.
The songs are haunting, though. The best moment belongs to young Marcase, whose lovely rendition of the song “Getting Tall” provides a memorably moving moment.
While the production has its problems, in terms of audacity and courage, everyone involved scores a “nine.”
“Nine” runs through Feb. 24 at the Barn Players Theatre, 6219 Martway, Mission. For information, call 432-9100.
MY BRAIN HURTS IV
Bold and bawdy, fearless and funny, the gang of improvisational comics known as Full Frontal Comedy is once again showcasing its collective talents in an abbreviated fashion.
“My Brain Hurts IV” is a compilation of 30 plays presented in a fast and feverish 60 minutes. These skits were born out of improvisations by the FFC performers and take satiric stabs at contemporary politics and pop culture.
The FFC ensemble currently consists of performer/director Tina Morrison, Shelly Stewart, Carolyn Lay, Joyce Halford, Joel Morrison, Paul DeMerchant, Ryan Seymour and Dave Martin.
Overhead, the company members have placed 30 numbered cards with the titles of each sketch on the back. Taking cues from the audience, the players perform these skits in the order demanded by the crowd. If the cast members can complete all 30 plays in the hour allotted, each audience member receives a prize.
Naturally, contemporary politicians like Hillary Clinton and Mitt Romney are targets of FFC’s wrath, as are Wal-Mart, Arby’s and Carl Peterson.
All of the cast members are given a chance to showcase their considerable acting skills and comic timing. Stewart as the most popular girl at the junior high dance, Seymour as “Funkyman” and DeMarchant as a lustful prison inmate provide some of the show’s funniest moments.
Joel Morrison, adept at keyboards and guitar, is responsible for some memorable musical mayhem.
Audiences should be warned that the FFC shows are of a very adult nature, employing colorful language and dealing with mature subject matter.
Open-minded folks will find plenty to laugh at, though. Plus, after only one hour, you’ll leave wanting more.
“My Brain Hurts IV” runs through Feb. 16 at the Olathe Community Theatre, 500 E. Loula. For information, call (816) 623-3557.