Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Golda's Balcony

Golda's Balcony follows the trajectory of the life of Golda Meir, from Russian immigrant to an American school teacher, to a leader of international politics as the first female Prime Minister of Israel, fourth overall.

Much of this tight-knit story of war and peace focuses on Golda in 1973, on the eve of the Yom Kippur War, when Israel was attacked by Egypt and Syria. According to the script by William Gibson, the bombs were loaded on planes that were awaiting Meir's order to take off and follow through on her threat to wipe out Egypt rather than yield the hard-won Jewish State to its enemies. Confident  Meir would retaliate,  President Richard Nixon and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger supplied Israel with the additional aircraft it needed to defend itself with conventional weapons.

The play uses flashbacks as Golda recounts the story of her life. She describes her role as a socialist Zionist, her emigration to Palestine in 1921, the birth of her two children and the break up of her marriage. These details form an intriguing backdrop for a dramatic look at idealism, power and the strength it takes to shape the destiny of a nation.

This fascinating one-woman show stars Kate Alexander, a powerhouse actress portraying Golda. It is directed by an internationally renowned director, Terence Lamude. Kate and Terence collaborated on this play in 2007 at Florida Studio Theatre in Sarasota Florida, it was extended for thirteen weeks.

Incredible projections on television monitors built in to the set and appropriate sound effects combined with the critically acclaimed acting and expert direction bring Golda's life to life before your very eyes.

"Radiant Alexander shines from Golda's Balcony"
- Pelican Press, Sarasota, Florida

"Kate Alexander delivers an impassioned performance from Golda's Balcony. She brings a fierce determination in telling the life story of the former Israeli prime Minister that matches the real woman's zeal in creating and defending the state of Israel as a homeland and haven for Jews."
- Sarasota Herald Tribune

The New York Times calls Golda's Balcony "Enlightening"  The New York Daily News says "Riveting" The New York Post says "Overwhelming" and Newsday raves "powerful"

Come see Golda's Balcony at West Hartford's award winning destination for professional theatre, Playhouse on Park. It's on stage now, through June 3rd. Adult tickets range from $22.50 to $32.50. Discounts for senior citizens, students and Let's Go Arts Members.  Call the Playhouse on Park box office at 860-523-5900 x10 to reserve your seat.

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Comedy: Caged and Uncut

This Friday, come to Playhouse on Park to see improv comedians battle to the death inside a steel cage. This Saturday guffaw with ten uncircumcised comedians,  prattling on about life, love and size comparisons.

Pause, covers right ear with one hand and listens to inner voice.

Oh...sorry, my better judgement is telling me - that's not exactly what's actually happening this weekend.

Excuse me, I sit corrected. Please indulge me as I set the record straight.  There will indeed be two improv teams on Friday: Horse Lincoln vs. Sea Tea Improv, on stage, taking audience suggestions and turning them in to side-splitting laughter. Bodies will not hit the floor and apparently the cage is a metaphor. 

Saturday is the Second Annual Connecticut Comics Uncut. Ten comics, genital cleanliness unknown, will regale you with comedic anecdotes that may include the topics of life, love and other observations.  That's the long and short of it.

I would be remiss of course if I did not mention the mavens of mirth responsible for recruiting the talent that will have you gasping for breath this weekend: Claire Zick and Barbara Jurgelas.

Claire Zick, took her first improv class with the "Great Matt Smith at Freehold Theatre in Seattle." She was unemployed at the time and needed an activity to get her out of the house. 

Ms. Zick has an extensive background in improv, beginning with the aforementioned Matt Smith at Unexpected Productions in Seattle. Upon completing their education program,  she was a member of the ensemble there for years. "We did six shows a week back when I was a cast member. I was also the only female member of Sisters of Sal, the team that won the most in the Seattle cage match series." Says Ms. Zick of her experience. "I've performed with a variety of other groups, including  several of my own here in Connecticut and with Ryan Stiles." She adds.

With no real improv in the area, outside of a few groups and her desire to perform, she set out to build a community to support that. "Teaching was a way to help build that community. The more people who know about improv, study it and watch it, the better."  She ran the program under our previous incarnation, the Park Road Playhouse. "Tracy, Darlene and Sean were gracious enough to let me continue doing it when they took over the space."

Ms. Zick teaches improv classes at Playhouse on Park. Visit our website at www.playhouseonpark.org. Find the heading "Classes and Workshops" under the Home tab on the main page of our site. "Listening, focus, trust and an ability to let go of control" are the traits needed to excel at improv according to Ms. Zick. Be sure to come see our Cage Match comedy show this Friday, tickets are just $10.00. Also, if after you see the show you say "I could do that." - then do it. There's no reason why you can't.

Barbara Jurgelas set foot onstage as a stand up comic on an open mike night in 1985 at the now defunct Billy Jack's Cafe of Comedy in Glastonbury. She didn't always want to be a comedian. "I originally wanted to pursue acting. I was lucky enough to work for the Tonight Show from 1981 to 1985." Upon witnessing first-hand how many thousands of other people wanted to be in that business, was a turn off to her. "Also, based on the various plays I had already performed in, I really stink as an actress!"

What she lacks in acting, Ms. Jurgelas more than made up for when she was performing. I had the pleasure of seeing her act at the playhouse and at Jitters in Plainville, a coffee house with a monthly night of stand up comedy. She says that to be a good comedian, you should "Be true to who you are. Unlike acting where you portray someone else, comics should always be themselves, even if they exaggerate their own personality on stage."

Ironically stand up comedy takes us back to the previous proprietors, as did improv. "I had been wanting to bring comedy to the Park Road Playhouse for years, but they weren't interested. Since the Playhouse on Park took over, they contacted me to see if I was interested." Says Ms. Jurgelas of the origin of stand up comedy at the playhouse.

In selecting comedians, there's a method to the madness. "Whenever I put a show together, I always try to select comics based on an energy level." She says. "A comedy show show should 'build' in intensity. You would never hire a high-energy host to bring on a middle and/or headliner with a dead-pan personality." Adds Ms. Jurgelas. In other words, Robin Williams shouldn't open for Steven Wright, for that and other reasons.

Ms. Jurgelas retired from the performing end of the business in 2005. "Who knows, the urge could strike at anytime to get back up there." She says.

So there you have it, much more information than is required in order to attend a weekend of comedy, but you're a better person for knowing it. So this weekend, take off your drama pants and put on your comedy pants, those bell bottom pants tucked away in the dark recesses of your closet should do the trick.

Tickets are available at the door or by calling the Playhouse on Park box office at 860-523-5900 x10. Say hello to Claire and Barbara while your there, and keep an eye out for a sexy man in black strutting around the venue.