The Woman in Black

How creepy was that???
This was my first experience at Theatre in the Square and it proved itself well. The house was very interesting...you have to climb up stairs to get to the house and then walk down to your seat. But the seats were very comfortable. I chatted a while with one of the ushers and she was very knowledgeable theater in the Atlanta area. I read the program in full and knew that this play takes place in the present, in this theater. I know the show because I stage managed it before. But I was not prepared for what I experienced.
David Milford as Mr. Arthur Kipps was very well versed in his roles. The Actor, Gil Brady, very well-spoken in his passion for the arts and his role as well. The beginning took a lot of audience members by surprise as Mr. Brady started out in the audience and the house lights were still up. We followed the show quite well, even to the woman in black creeping around during the funeral scene. Now I know why late-seating is not an option.
The creepiest part of this show was the sound: every sound cue, every surprise, every horse and cart noise....just added to the senses and made the whole experience worth the several jumps out of my seat that startled others around me. Well-done to Christopher Bartelski for his work and the timing of every cue, executed, of course, by Robert Wright, the Stage Manager, in the booth. The lights were perfect for the mood, thanks to designer Rob Dillard, but I feared that the elderly audience that attended might drift off to sleep with the constant dimness. Good use of the stage, and well-done nods to Props Designer Megan Israel Gryder and Set Designer, Seamus M. Bourne. Creating the two levels on the stage and basic uses of the gravestones as the child's room - excellently done! Theatre in the Square lives up to its great reputation. Much thanks to Tracy Thomas for the invite - I'll be attending this theatre again!

Grey Gardens

Congrats to Actor's Express once again. It's always good to see something new, something funny, and something that tugs at the heart-strings: all in one show.
I'll have to admit, I liked first act better than second. First act was set in the 1940s, a woman, her best friend, a pianist, living in her father's home, and her daughter, about to get engaged. And what does the mom do? feeds true tales to the fiancee and he leaves her daughter. Wow. All to keep the daughter at Grey Gardens. Powerful.
Second act, 1970s, and Edie could leave. She could...but in the end, she stays. Her mother has that power over her. Drives her crazy, but needs her.
It's always good to see Jill Hames on stage. She did a great job as Edith. Kathleen McManus was wonderful as Edith Bouvier Beale. Her character, though, reminds me of Auntie Emm from "The Wizard of Oz." Props to David Howard for being the butler, Brooks, and playing himself and his own son. Very few words, but nicely done on stage.
Over-all the music was amazing, very catchy and well-tuned. Lights and set definitely talked to each other: nicely done, Phil Male and Joe Monaghan! It was interesting to see the orchestra up-stage left in the rafters, but what an excellent place to be! I've heard many good things about Mr. Clay Causey and I'm very pleased that his reputation is proven, once again, as one of the best musical directors in the south.

Well-done to the entire cast, and my heart-felt thanks to Jill Hames for ending the show with a plea to the audience to help out fellow Atlanta actor, Allan Hagler, who was diagnosed with cancer and doesn't have health insurance (much like many of our fellow artists in town.)