Racimo Post Scripto: Check Out These Local Theater Productions

By Victoria Racimo Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Saw “A Man for All Seasons” opening night last Thursday, and because it is so special, I had to write a follow-up review encouraging you to see it. I also want to also alert you to two other upcoming local events I think worthy of your attention.

The story takes place in 16th century England and is about the struggle between Sir Thomas More and his King, Henry VIII. Henry is determined to break with Rome, divorce his wife, Catherine of Aragon, (she has not produced a son) and marry Anne Boleyn, (in hopes she will deliver a male heir.) More understands that from the standpoint of the Roman Catholic Church, the king would be heretical if he were to remarry. Good Catholic More's inability to go along with such heresy becomes the focal point of the struggle between the two men. More resigns as chancellor, hoping to be able to live out his life as a private citizen. But Henry will settle for nothing less than that the much respected More give public approval to his headstrong course.

While this sounds like pretty heady stuff (no pun intended as we all know how many folks dear Henry beheaded), this brilliantly written play is both deeply thought-provoking and sharply humorous. And as importantly, in this VSF production, it’s given a powerful punch from all departments.

I have nothing but praise and admiration for this Virginia Shakespeare Festival version, neatly and smartly directed by Richard Palmer. The moment Ed Whitacre walks onto stage as the Common Man, he set the course of the play. He deftly, cleverly guides us to each turn of events. For me, as both commentator and participant, this is Mr. Whitacre’s finest portrayal. He manifests Common Man with distinction, rendering many characters believably and enjoyably.

Festival favorite (and one of mine too) John Ammerman is quite brilliant as Sir Thomas More. His performance delivers a heroic, human, fallible and principled man, the man for all seasons. Steven Breese is consummate as Henry. His first step on stage and you know he’s King. Mr. Breese has dug down deep to find what makes this King his, so to speak. From his first scene, Breese builds his performance from a a warm, you-got-to-love-this-king to a deeply resonating, powerful end-game tour de force. Breese’s King doesn’t merely breathe the King. Rather, he grabs the air like jet engine propulsion.

Tamara Johnson, as More’s wife, is outstanding. Christopher Owens, as the Spanish Ambassador, delights with a well-etched character who’s agenda is caught between two cultures.

As with “As You Like it” a few weeks ago, the set by Matt Allar is simple and handsomely designed, lighting by Steve Holliday evokes a Vermeer quality and the costumes by Jennifer Tiranti are spot on.

The play and production are certainly thoughtful. But what surprised me was how much real humor Palmer was able to draw out of his actors.

Casting sometimes makes or breaks. Here the two crucial elements work hand in hand.

I am proud that Williamsburg has the VSF. Imagine playing a character in AYLI at night and rehearsing “….Seasons” by day. Many of the cast and crew continue do this in true repertory fashion. A difficult feat.

“A Man for All Seasons” plays through Sunday, Aug. 1. For information: 757-221-2674 or click here. Congratulations to the VSF and here’s to next year.

The reason I bring up these next two theatre productions is because I think they nicely fit in for the young theatre aspirants out there. To get to the level of work the VSF produces, these two companies offer opportunities for young people in our area to become engaged in the whole theatrical experience.

Firstly, this coming Friday, July 30, StageLights presents “Willy Wonka, JR.” based on the book “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” by Roald Dahl. It has a cast of 28 and is directed by Richard Parker with Musical Director Judy Zwelling and Choreographer, Melinda Tremblay. Friday, July 30, 7 p.m.; Saturday, July 31, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Williamsburg Library Theatre. Tickets $8, children under 3 free. For details & tickets, call 757-229-ACTS or email stagelightstheatre@gmail.com.

For several years I have missed out on seeing the productions presented by StageLights Theatre company for one reason or another. StageLights began in 1993 as an educational, non-profit, musical theatre program for young people interested in dramatic arts. It’s the vision of StageLights to teach young people the techniques of acting, voice, dance and stagecraft, and to increase their appreciation of theatre. Local dramatists and actors come together to help young people share their talents on stage. StageLights is open to all young people 6 to 13 years of age. Check it out.

Another company which I am encouraging you to check out is Iron Street Productions founded by my friend LeRoyce Braatsveen. With an eye to multi-cultural plays and material, she has forged several continuous seasons of plays, musicals, with emphasis on African-American experience. She's specialized in new plays, classics, and recent contemporary works that have not been produced in the area. I have seen several productions and they are noteworthy.

Now, LeRoyce has added another venture, this one in conjunction with Thomas Nelson Community College. It’s called the Iron Street Productions Youth Camp. It’s a summer camp for young people to experience a soup to nuts experience of what it takes to learn various aspects of the theatre.

The camp is both educational and performance based. She has hired two instructors, (one teacher, one recent college grad wanting to pursue teaching) who cover theater basics, theater history, acting instruction and an intro into technical theater classes. She has on staff one activities coordinator who plays team building and theater games with the kids three times a day to break up the monotony of the "classroom stuff". In the afternoon, they take what they learn in the morning and apply it to their camp production. So at the end of the 10-day camp, the kids put on a show based on what they have learned during the course of the camp.

This 2-week, 70-hour camp (9 a.m.-4 p.m.), celebrating its first year, will be hosting its last camp at Thomas Nelson Community College August 2-14.  Registration due: ($50). Tuition Due: July 30, 2010 ($150). Total cost of camp: $200, or $20/day.

Click here for more information.

First and foremost, I love the idea of these two companies bringing young people INTO the Community Theater Family. In the long run, this is a way of supporting local community theaters in a variety of ways outside of just being onstage. Young people get into the creative processes of scenic design, makeup, light technicians, costume designers. Who knows what’s in the making. There are theater things can might well translate into future job opportunities.

Children 8 - 16 will participate in theater technique workshops during the day that emphasize the building of a closely knit ensemble. This workshop culminates in a public performance of an ArtReach Children's Theatre Production (Peter Pan).

To help you decide if I.S.P.Y Theater Camp is right for your child, consider that the program is designed to excite young people to theatrical production through performance work in an ensemble environment. Children who enjoy working in a group and have the ability for sustained concentration have fun and flourish in our workshop. Your child must be able to attend the full session, and will be instructed in Theater Basics, Acting Instruction, and intro to the Technical aspects of theatrical prodution.

I.S.P.Y. Theatre Camp is an all-day, two week workshop that auditions, rehearses and performs an ArtReach Children's Theatre style production. All registered participants will have a role and be involved with many aspects of the production. Parental talents also welcomed!

Your child should bring a non-perishable lunch and snack. Water will be provided.