ROBIN'S SHOW RECOMMENDATION: Queen of the Mist

Transport Group, the Drama Desk and OBIE award-winning theatre company is presenting the world premiere of the new musical, Queen of the Mist, with words and music by five-time Tony Award nominee Michael John LaChiusa, directed by four-time Drama Desk Award nominee Jack Cummings III. Peformances began October 18th, and it opens November 6th.

Based on a true story, Queen of the Mist stars two-time Tony nominee Mary Testa as Anna Edson Taylor, who, in 1901, set out to be the first woman to shoot Niagara Falls—in a barrel of her own design. Navigating both the treacherous Falls and a fickle public with a ravenous appetite for sensationalism, this unconventional heroine vies for her legacy in a world clamoring with swindling managers, assassins, revolutionaries, moralizing family, anarchists, and activists. Convinced there is greatness in her and determined not to live as ordinary, she sets out to battle her fear and tempt fate. With a score that incorporates turn of the century themes with signature LaChiusa elements, Queen of the Mist is the tale of a single great fall, and how one woman risked death so that she could live.

What a treat to see this musical!  Who would have thought that in what felt like a make-shift space..a narrow hardwood gymnasium floor and bleacher-style seating...that brilliance could result?!  The story was emotionally gripping, and Testa delivers a knockout performance. She is captivating from the moment we set eye on her eyes filled with intensity and passion, and when she sings There is Greatness in Me, we acknowledge that she does indeed!  The perfect choice to play this little known historical heroine, she is on the mark whether delivering comedic lines with bite or capturing the depths of despair with strength and tears.  Her co-star, The Falls, came across loud 'n clear as well, thanks to the roaring sound effects and lighting.  The audience was right there with her, and we were as engaged as no doubt the real life onlookers were when her custom designed barrel submerged, and Ms. Taylor survived.

Supported by highly capable cast members D.C. Anderson (The Phantom of the Opera, The Life Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby); Stanley Bahorek (See Rock City and Other Destinations, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee); Theresa McCarthy (Titanic, Floyd Collins); Julia Murney (Wicked, The Wild Party, First Lady Suite); Andrew Samonsky (South Pacific, Tales of the City); and Tally Sessions (The House of Blue Leaves, Yank), the ensemble works well together (adeptly moving props, a piano and furniture around the stage, on top of playing their respective roles), displaying a wide range of talent and versatility. Stanley Bahorek was particularly affecting in a tender scene as Mike Taylor, a Soldier, who is a fan of Ms. Taylor.  And, Andrew Samonsky as Frank Russell, Anna's scheming manager, is commanding, both in presence and voice.

Queen of the Mist is the inaugural production of Transport Group's 20th Century Project, a ten-year initiative spanning ten productions, each production focusing on a different decade of the 20th century. The ten productions comprise five musicals and five plays—including three commissioned musicals, two commissioned plays, and five revivals. Queen of the Mist focuses on the decade 1900-1910.

Michael John LaChiusa’s most recent work includes the music and lyrics to Giant, (book by Sybille Pearson); Los Otros, (book by Ellen Fitzhugh); and the score for Maria Aitken’s production of As You Like It at the Shakespeare Theatre, Washington, D.C. As a composer, lyricist and librettist, his other works include Bernarda Alba, See What I Wanna See, The Highest Yellow, Little Fish, Hello Again, First Lady Suite, and Break/Agnes/Eulogy for Mister Hamm. Mr. LaChiusa was represented on Broadway during the 1999-2000 season by The Wild Party and Marie Christine, receiving nominations for Best Score and Best Book (with George C. Wolfe on The Wild Party) for each show and he received a Tony nomination for Best Book (Graciela Daniele and Jim Lewis) for Chronicle of a Death Foretold. He has provided scores for the children’s television show on Nick Jr, The Wonder Pets, for which he received two Emmy Awards.

Queen of the Mist has choreography by Scott Rink (Hello Again, Crossing Brooklyn); musical direction by Chris Fenwick (See What I Wanna See); orchestrations by Michael Starobin (Hello Again, Falsettos, Sunday in the Park With George, two-time Tony winner for Next To Normal and Assassins).

The scenic design for Queen of the Mist is by Sandra Goldmark (Hello Again, Drama Desk nominee for The Boys in the Band); costume design is by Kathryn Rohe (The Boys in the Band, Hello Again); lighting design is by R. Lee Kennedy (three-time Drama Desk nominee: The Audience, Bury The Dead, and See Rock City and Other Destinations); sound design is by Walter Trarbach (The Farnsworth Invention, Cymbeline).

The Gym at Judson is a new workout space for the arts in the heart of Greenwich Village. A creative home for both established companies and emerging artists alike, The Gym presents an eclectic mix of new plays and musicals, classics, experimental work, dance, cabaret and music. Occupying the site of a full-size gymnasium with 20-foot ceilings, The Gym is a fully-equipped, multi-use theater, with flexible seating for up to 200.

Queen of the Mist was commissioned by Transport Group Theatre Company and is made possible through major support from The Shen Family Foundation.  Founded in 2001, Transport Group, under the leadership of Jack Cummings III, Artistic Director, and Lori Fineman, Executive Director, is a not-for-profit theatre company that develops and produces work by American playwrights and composers with the aim of exploring the American consciousness in the 20th and 21st centuries.

Queen of the Mist plays Tuesday through Sunday at 8pm, with a Saturday matinee at 2pm, at The Gym at Judson Memorial Church, 243 Thompson Street at Washington Square South. The evening performance on Saturday, October 29—a gala fundraiser—is at 7:30pm. The schedule for the week of November 8 is Tuesday, Thursday through Saturday at 9pm; Wednesday and Sunday at 8pm; with a Saturday matinee at 4pm. General admission tickets start at $58; premium reserved seating tickets start at $65; opening night tickets are $65; gala fundraiser tickets are $95.  The show runs through November 20th.

For tickets and information, visit http://www.transportgroup.org/ or phone 866-811-4111.  You may also visit https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/cal/100, and save $10 with code TGMAMA. 

Note: Join the Twitter Party for the Musical: Tuesday, November 9th @ 9PM, #QueenoftheMist

ROBIN'S SHOW REVIEW: TOMORROW MORNING - Discount Offer

Making its NYC debut at the York Theatre Company, this new Off-Broadway musical follows a couple as they face the uncertainty of what tomorrow morning holds on the eve of two life changing events.

A young, giddily smitten couple is looking forward to spending the rest of their lives together as they prepare for their wedding with excitement and lust, while, ten years later, their older selves are drafting divorce papers and looking back on a marriage gone wrong.

TOMORROW MORNING is both a humorous and moving story of the complexity of contemporary relationships and speaks to anyone who has felt the joy and pain of love.  Nothing comes with a guarantee, even if you enter into a relationship with the best of intentions and a full heart, and that is evidenced here.

The show received previous productions in both London and Chicago and, in 2009, won Chicago's Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Musical.  It is performed without intermission for 75 minutes.

The cast of four features D.B. Bonds, Autumn Hurlbert, Matthew Hydzik and Mary Mossberg.  A standout  was Mossberg as Catherine.  Her performance was both strong and moving.  And, Bonds as John nearly brought me to tears when he sang a particularly poignant duet (with Hydzik) entitled Look What We Made, about his nine year old son Jack.  The mom in me could fully relate to this father's love as he shared wonderment and joy, tinged with underlying sadness, knowing that they would no longer be parenting under the same roof....yet they were responsible for bringing this promising, innocent boy into the world.

The show had a welcome light-hearted moment with The Game Show song, and it was clever at the end when Jack's vows were shared in writing with the audience.

Compared to the flash and glamour of so many Broadway musicals these days, TOMORROW MORNING makes it's heartfelt point with a more-subdued, yet well-staged production, and there is soemthing to be said for that.

LAURENCE MARK WYTHE (Book, Music and Lyrics) is one of the UK's leading emerging creators of new musical theatre. Tomorrow Morning was first produced in London in 2006, and then in Chicago in 2008 where it won the Jeff Award for Best Midsize Musical. This was followed by a production in Melbourne and a further production in the UK in 2010 starring Julie Atherton and Jon Lee. His musical Through the Door (book by Judy Freed) was seen in the West End in 2009, also starring Julie Atherton. His other work includes the festive family musical The Lost Chrismas which was recently produced in the UK, and he is currently writing Girlfriends for Korean producers OD Musical. He composed the score for Joe DiPietro's play F---ing Men in Chicago (directed by Tom Mullen), and recently wrote the theme for a new TV project with a BAFTA award winning production company. He lives in London with his wife and two daughters. www.laurencemarkwythe.com

TOM MULLEN (Director) Recently directed Joe DiPietro's F---ing Men, Stages 773, US Premiere; Departure Lounge, Royal George Theatre; Tomorrow Morning, Victory Gardens Greenhouse Theater, (Joseph Jefferson Award Winner - Best Musical Midsize); Love/Perfect Now Change, Noble Fool Theatricals; JOE, Chicago Dramatist; Urinetown, Mercury Theatre, seven Jeff nominations including Best Director and Best Musical. World premiere, What a Glorious Feeling, NYMF Festival; Full Gallop, with Emmy winner Jill Larson; the world premiere of Wicked City; Associate Director of Broadway revival, Company (Roundabout Theatre) and The Rhythm Club (Signature Theatre, Washington D.C.); National tour: The World Goes 'Round for Columbia Artists; adapted Augusten Burroughs novel Sellevision, Ohio Theatre, NYC; Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus; Second City Comedy Theatre. Concerts: Oleta Adams, Sutton Foster and Bea Arthur. Regional credits include: Forever Plaid, A Chorus Line, Betty's Summer Vacation, Nine, Closer than Ever and The 1940's Radio Hour.


DISCOUNT TICKET OFFER:
The York Theatre Company ∙ 619 Lexington Avenue (Corner of 54th St.) ∙ New York, NY 10022
http://www.yorktheatre.org/
Use codeTCMORN45 for $45 tickets!
Box Office: (212) 935-5820 ∙ Box Office Hours: Monday-Friday 12-6pm


*Offer expires 4/23/11. Valid for all performances through 4/23/11. Blackout dates may apply. Offer subject to availability and prior sale. All sales are final; no refunds or exchanges. Schedule and casting subject to change. Offer may be modified or revoked at any time.