Reviews
Classic Coward Play is at TheatreWorks
In a holiday season strained by a still-struggling economy and the stresses of everyday life only magnified by the season itself, we all need a break from it all—and an entertaining one at that. Fortunately, TheatreWorks New Milford’s production of legendary playwright Noël Coward’s classic comedy of manners, “Present Laughter,” under the direction of Beth…
Noel Coward’s romp ‘Present Laughter’ at TheatreWorks
New Milford’s TheatreWorks is currently treating audiences to a delightful comedy by that national treasure of English drama, Noel Coward. Long acknowledged as one of his country’s outstanding wits, raconteurs, directors, diarists, letter-writers and actors, Coward’s humor still stands up as a timeless expression of its author’s talent. “Present Laughter,” is a Coward drama bursting with…
TheatreWorks pays tribute to Lynn Redgrave
Theatre Works, New Milford: Leave it to director Jane Farnol and actress Susan Pettibone to take on the late Lynn Redgrave’s autobiographical one-woman show. Lynn Redgrave, the daughter of the great Shakespearean actor Sir Michael Redgrave, wrote this play in 1993. Essentially, it is Lynn’s story of what it was like growing up as the…
Personal Insight Allows New Milford’s ‘Shakespeare’ To Shine
NEW MILFORD — New Milford’s Theatreworks is once again ratcheting up the level of intellectual strength it expects from its audiences, by presenting a work that presumes not only some familiarity with Shakespeare, but also an acquaintance with the great theatrical figures of the twentieth century. Of course it is possible to see, and enjoy,…
A Sterling Production of “Shakespeare for My Father”
In the theater world, one-actor shows are where the rubber meets the road. There are no places to hide: just the script, the director’s interpretation, and the actor’s talent. TheatreWorks New Milford has clearly mastered this simple yet challenging formula with its current production of Shakespeare for My Father, the autobiographical tale and playwriting debut of…
Recalling Old Sorrows, And Overcoming Them
Lynn Redgrave was barely noticed by Sir Michael Redgrave. The actor. Her father. In “Shakespeare for My Father,” a play Lynn Redgrave wrote about growing up in this illustrious theater family, she searches her father’s journals after his death, particularly the ones from 1943, seeking notice of her birth. No notice taken. Not much notice…
TheatreWorks Mounts Brilliant Redgrave Tribute
“All the world’s a stage.” That Shakespearean phrase from “As You Like It” has often been used by artists of all walks of life, but for the late Lynn Redgrave, it is a phrase that could not have been more true. A descendent of theatrical royalty, the Kent resident was a true tour de force…
‘Shakespeare for My Father’ revives a memorable age of theater
Jane Farnol, the director of Lynn Redgrave’s memory play, “Shakespeare for My Father,” counted herself lucky to have seen the celebrated actress on stage in two of her final roles before she passed away last year. But the actress’ autobiographical account of her life, situated as it was in a family of outstanding acting talent,…
A Truly Great ‘Trailer Park’ at TheatreWorks New Milford
TheatreWorks New Milford generally does a great job with their summer musical, whether it be a traditional classic like Cabaret or Kiss Me Kate, or an edgy off-Broadway adventure like Urinetown. This year’s effort falls clearly in the latter camp. Set in the steamy and seamy territory of North Florida, the 2004 David Nehls-Betsy Kelso Great American Trailer Park…
‘Trailer Park’ trash never looked so good
There’s absolutely nothing politically correct about “The Great American Trailer Park Musical.” That’s one reason the audience can sit back and laugh out loud at the outrageous stereo-typing going on in Betsy Kelso’s and David Nehls’ “The Great American Trailer Park Musical” at TheatreWorks, New Milford. It’s all out, unadulterated, strictly adult, categorical fun with…