Monthly Archives: June 2009

Exit the King

Posted by TheatreBear on
Exit the King
at broadway’s Barrymore Theatre
10 June 2009 @ 2pm
a play by Eugene Ionesco
as adapted by Geoffrey Rush and Neil Armfield
directed by Neil Armfield
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I happened to be one of the priviliged few in this season of great theatre and performances in NYC to have been witness to such a theatrical masterpiece as Geoffrey Rush’s performance as King Berenger in Eugene Ionesco’s absurdist drama “Exit the King.”
From the moment that he walked onto the stage he began a journey into the soul of “everyman” and showed us a man dealing with his uncontrollable life and how one deals with the fact that at some point… we will all perish.
The company of actors made up of Susan Sarandon, Lauren Ambrose, Andrea Martin, William Sadler, and Brian Hutchison were equally thrilling in this ensemble piece. Most of the cast remains onstage the entire time, allowing us to witness, through characters, the different pieces that are within us all and how they relate to the important people that we choose to populate our “kingdom” with.
The scenic elements were very ethereal, a few hung tapestries, bare bulbs, and exposed supports all led the audience on a journey into an experience of viewing actuality in all of its physical value. The lone musician in the pit who played a variety of instruments, simultaneously, was equally an asset to the production adding musical sound to the emotionally invigorating moments of the piece.
Only a few more performances of this masterpiece are left to be seen.

Jessica Phillips blows Dianna out of the Thearapist’s Chair in "Next to Normal."

Posted by TheatreBear on

Jessica Phillips
gave a breakthrough performance in the role of Dianna in the Broadway Musical “Next to Normal” on
Tuesday, 9 June 2009 at the Booth theatre in NYC.
      On the first performance post-Tony awards, the Tony Award winning Leading Actress, Alice Ripley, was absent from the performance causing the understudy, Phillips, to be put on for the 7:00pm curtain. Of course, there were many patrons who were upset by not being able to see Ripley, but those that stuck around to see this amazing show were very audibly impressed with what the newcomer had to offer to the role. After a brilliantly sung, “I miss the Mountains” there was an applause that delayed to performance from moving onto the next scene. The final curtain call was greeted with thunderous applause and everyone leaping to their feet the instant the first bow was begun. Incidentally, it was the first night for first-replacement Kyle Dean Massey to be put on in the role of Gabe.
     Phillips had perfect vocal control throughout this VERY vocally demanding production and managed to fulfill the composer’s requests with the greatest of ease. It was as if this role had been written for her. Her physical interpretation of the role, although a bit different from Ripley’s, was filled out with subtle nuances and many levels which are inherent in a character so bold as Yorkey and Kitt’s Dianna.As a complete fan of this show (this was the 9th performace that I’ve seen of it), I can honestly say that it was refreshing to see a new approach to such a brilliant character and will be well pleased to see where this young actress will progress in the next few years.

She’s one to watch!!!