| PENINSULA COMMUNITY THEATRE ## Season: Peninsula Community Theatre. Jesus Christ Superstar, Wait Until Dark, To Kill a Mockingbird, Into the Woods Into the Woods (musical) ## Musical: Into the Woods ## Director of a Musical: Mike Diana ## Music Direction: Betsy Forrest ## The production was well-cast, it integrated musical and dramatic segments seamlessly, and it conveyed very well Sondheim's original vision of Bruno Bettelheim's philosophical take on the meaning of fairy tales set forth in his The Uses of Enchantment. I think it's especially important to note that this production was well designed, accompanied, and costumed, since (wrongly, in my opinion) community theater productions with limited budgets must compete with collegiate productions employing paid (or "indentured") directors, designers, and musicians, and having budgets that far exceed those available to groups such as PCT. This production was on a par with professional regional theater productions I've seen at venues such as VSC, Signature Theater, and Barksdale. I'd also like to nominate Mike Diana as best director for the above production, and Betsy Forrest for musical direction. The task of moving from one vignette to another and dovetailing all the concurrent storylines is a true challenge for any director, and this is surely one of the most challenging musical scores to have been undertaken in the area this year. Solos and ensembles were well rehearsed, and, though a number of the actors were not primarily singers (as is expected in a Sondheim show), all were comfortable and performed well. The use of midi-assisted accompaniment, with the ability to "conduct" the computer-based instrumental track, supported the singers far more musically than could have been expected of an amateur orchestra. ## From a spectator's viewpoint, what appears to be a very difficult show to put on, PCT seemed to do it flawlessly. Again, all actors portrayed their characters wonderfully and they all fit together perfectly. ## Lead Actress: Marie Rizza as Cinderella ## Lead Actor: T.J. Bowlin as Baker ## Lead Actor: Nicholas Sotack as Jack ## I remember your review, Ms. Laidig, and I would have to agree; I don't care for the show either, but I do appreciate the complexity of the music and the talented singing voices they had on stage. I feel some of the performers in that show did exceptional jobs handling the music and their characters, particularly Marie Rizza, T.J. Bowlin, Carole-Sue Fiest and Nicholas Sotack. If there is an award for best musical, I think this show deserves a nomination. They did a wonderful job handling a difficult show. ## Lead Actress: Carole-Sue Fiest as Witch ## Carole-Sue Fiest is an excellent actress and she brings a wonderful feeling to each person who is watching the play. ## Lead Actress: Jane Diana as Baker's Wife ## Lighting Design: John Wilt ## Having directed three shows at PCT in the past five years, I can tell you the artistry shown by John Wilt, especially considering the tools he worked with, is nothing short of miraculous. The instruments (what few they have) are old and barely functioning. Areas from whence to light are sparse. He literally painted a masterpiece on stage with his lighting, allowing the special effects to be believable and dramatic. Sets, costumes and fine acting and directing came alive under his lighting. Not bad for a volunteer! This one should not be overlooked. ## Supporting Actor: Guy Kemmerly as Cinderella's Prince ## This character had one line in the show that completely summed up his personality-"I was raised to be charming, not sincere." Mr. Kemmerly seized upon this and ran with it. His portrayal of the shallow over-sexed prince was hilarious! ## Supporting Actress: Linda Marley Smith as Cinderella's Mother/Little Red's Grandmother Jesus Christ Superstar (musical) ## Musical: Jesus Christ Superstar ## I think Jesus Christ Superstar was an outstanding performance. It made it simple for me to learn more about what happened during that time. ## It was quite a production for a small stage, professional and thoroughly enjoyable. ## Director of a Musical: Peter Natale ## Peter did an amazing job of turning this electrifying show into a triumph of the community stage. They told him that a musical as complex as Superstar should never be attempted by a local, amateur company - but he proved his critics wrong! He not only had a fantastic vision, but he BELIEVED in it, and made it happen. Peter's staging of "Heaven on their Minds," the "Temple/Leper" scene, the "39 Lashes," and "The Crucifixion," in particular, show how creative a director he is. Big cast, small stage, complicated score? No prob for Peter! ## I would like to nominate the Peninsula Community Theatre production of Jesus Christ Superstar as best musical, Peter Natale as best director and P.J. Freebourn, who played Jesus, as best actor in a musical. The entire production was well designed and costumed. The ensemble was tight. Freebourn was outstanding as both actor and singer. ## Lead Actor: P.J. Freebourn as Jesus of Nazareth ## P.J. took one of the most intimidating roles in theater, Jesus Christ!, and made it his own. He conveyed the wisdom and heartache of the story with his whole being - not only through his singing and acting - he seemed to take the music and the mood into his very heart. P.J.'s interpretation of "Gethsemane" was breathtaking, and the sight of him during the "39 Lashes" was unforgettable. ## Choreography: Dana Margulies ## Dana transformed a group of largely untrained dancers (a.k.a. singers) into a fantastic ensemble. She combined traditional jazz technique with Bob Fosse style to express the amazing range of themes from the show - jubilation, disappointment, sarcasm, humor, and finally victory. Dana is a gifted choreographer who knows how to make everyone in the corps look and feel terrific. She gave life, infused energy, and moved the cast and audience to the beat of this wonderful, thrilling, confounding score. |
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