Displaying items by tag: Brittney Brown

It’s refreshing to know there are lesser-known Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine collaborations to continue exploring. While ‘Into the Woods’ and ‘Sunday in the Park with George’ may endure as musical theatre opuses, later works like ‘Passion’ showcase these two brilliant artists’ legacy together. The relatively young Blank Theatre Company revives the 1994 musical at Greenhouse Theatre Center under the direction of Danny Kapinos.

Sondheim was inspired to conceive ‘Passion’ after seeing the 1981 Italian film ‘Passione d'amore’ which is itself an adaptation of an 1869 novel ‘Fosca’. With all those Italian titles, it’s no surprise that Sondheim’s ‘Passion’ is a chamber opera with nearly all the dialogue sung-through. 

Themes of unrequited love, jealousy and despair along with a soaring score stir emotions in this one-act operetta. ‘Passion’ follows a young army general Giorgio (Evan Bradford) who is carrying on an affair with Clara (Rachel Guth) until he’s unexpectedly transferred where he meets the sickly Fosca (Brittney Brown). Fosca is the cousin of Giorgio’s commander, but it’s the doctor of the troop who suggests Fosca’s health would improve if Giorgio spent time with her. The only catch? She’s strikingly ugly. Fosca’s obsession with Giorgio deepens despite the fact that her fiery spirit is worsening her health.

Blank Theatre’s production strips this show down to minimal staging relying instead on the superbly talented cast. Right off the bat both Evan Bradford and Rachel Guth stun with their first duet. The intimacy of the space ups the emotional impact as the cast also performs seemingly without mics. Brittney Brown as Fosca is a revelation, though it would be untrue to describe her as unattractive. Her powerful voice is every bit as convincing as her heartbreaking performance in the role of the rejected lover.

As Giorgio gets closer to Fosca, he begins to resent her clinginess, but his sense of duty prevents him from entirely casting her off. Through letters and short visits, Giorgio’s passion for Clara fizzles. It’s in these scenes Rachel Guth’s beautiful voice and pathos-inducing performance really shine.

‘Passion’ has all the elements of great classic opera. The setting is somewhat historically ambiguous; the story is a little strange and the intense emotions all work together to make for an enthralling evening at the theatre. In fact, original Broadway audiences are said to have behaved in a way typically only seen in opera theaters. Evidently some 1994 theatregoers became so enraged by Donna Murphy’s Fosca antics they roared from the balcony, “Die already!” If a show can elicit that kind of response, it’s got to be doing something right.

If you’ve never seen ‘Passion’, Blank Theatre’s production is a great way to experience it for the time. Between the haunting set created by Hayley E Wallenfeldt and the cast of gorgeous voices, Sondheim and Lapine’s strange baby deserves its flowers.

Through August 10 at Greenhouse Theatrer Center 2257 N Lincoln Avenue. 773-404-7336

I’m amazed that it’s been 18 years or so since I first saw a Hell in a Handbag production. Though it seems like yesterday, my first experience with Handbag was taking in their production of The Poseidon Adventure at the cozy and artistic Chopin Theatre in Wicker Park. It was fantastic and it was funny - fantastically funny. The musical’s parody humor, clever innuendos and dry wit reeled me in immediately. I was instantly blown away by Founding Artistic Director and performer David Cerda and the company’s cast of very talented comedic singers and dancers - and I still am. Hell in a Handbag is a dependable theater company that consistently provides hilarious, high-quality productions of camp entertainment (i.e. Golden Girls: The Lost Episodes, Christmas Dearest, Caged Dames) to the appreciative Chicago community and, like so many others, I find myself always looking forward to their next production. 

Handbag’s current production is yet another gem. Also performed at Chopin Theatre, Poor People! The Parody Musical, was brilliantly written by Tyler Anthony Smith and is wonderfully directed by Stephanie Shaw. Poor People! is a dynamite brand-new production that creator Tyler Anthony Smith describes as being a tribute to the characters in shows like Annie and Les Miserables, “that despite dire circumstances, the characters were still belting their faces off and dancing in the streets. Anybody can be happy and sing but it takes something special to be on your deathbed and still be on key.”

In the gritty, smoke-filled streets of 1979 New York City, the story’s fiery-haired protagonist, Li’l Orphan Arnie (played by Dakota Hughes), is on the run. Escaping the clutches of a lascivious, meth-cooking, authoritarian head of the orphanage, Miss A (Sydney Genco), Arnie’s fate takes an unexpected turn when they encounter a mysterious feline dancer named Whiskers (Matty Bettencourt). Whiskers leads Arnie through a supernatural manhole, hurtling them back in time to 1815 Paris, France.

In this new period of time, Arnie trades one impoverished existence for another. The search for their birth parents takes a backseat as they join forces with a ragtag gang of pickpocketing prostitutes, masterminded by the enigmatic Fagin (David Cerda).

Life takes a darker turn when Mama Moneybags (Brittney Brown), a corrupt Republican hailing from the future, sets her sights on dismantling Fagin’s crew. But fear not! A motley crew of vibrant, down-and-out characters steps up to the challenge. Among them are the consumptive Pantene (portrayed by Caitlin Jackson), the wild and feral Beggar Woman (Elizabeth Lesinski), and Nance, the quintessential hooker with an unexpectedly golden heart (brought to life by Tyler Anthony Smith). 

Besides Annie and Les Miserables, the story also parodies a bevy of characters and songs from other favorite Broadway productions including The Phantom of the Opera (“The Groomer of the Flop’ra”), Oliver, and even a lampooned version of Mary Poppins’ “Feed the Birds (Tuppence A Bag)”.   

(front center) Sydney Genco with (back, l to r) Tyler Anthony Smith,Taylor Dalton, Caitlin Jackson and Patrick O'Keefe in Hell in a Handbag Productions world premiere of POOR PEOPLE! The Parody Musical.

So, let's get to the talented cast members…

Dakota Hughes plays Li’l Orphan Arnie with a childlike charm and sass. Not just gifted with comedic talent, Hughes has a tremendous vocal range and gets to show it off throughout the play. Caitlyn Jackson, who plays Pantene and Sydney Genco as Miss A have been longtime favorites of mine in the Hell and a Handbag Productions troupe throughout the years and were both very funny and also had great song and dance numbers, which I have come to expect and enjoy! Along with Genco and Jackson, Brittany Brown also gets to impress the audience with her sensational singing voice. Another favorite Handbag veteran of mine is Elizabeth Lesinski and she absolutely crushes in her role as the Beggar Woman, drawing laughs with just about each delivered line. She also shows us that she can manage a herd or ravenous squirrels while holding a tune. 

Warm, commanding, and consistently hilarious, David Cerda shines in his role as Fagin. Cerda’s presence exudes both comedy and a nurturing energy that envelops the entire cast. Audiences eagerly anticipate his every entrance. Meanwhile, Tyler Anthony Smith remains a beloved fixture from previous Handbag productions - and absolutely steals the show! Smith brilliantly adapted many numbers from well-known Broadway shows into rousing, funny, bawdy and touching ensemble performances that keep the entire audience laughing and cheering right up until the end of this wonderful full-length production.

To complete the ensemble, Matty Bettencourt sizzles as Fosse Kitty, and special recognition is also due for the outstanding performances of Taylor Dalton as Epipen, Shane Roberie as The Groomer, Patrick O’Keefe as Twinky, and Tommy Thurston as Pretty Rich Boy. There is so much to love about this gifted ensemble. Truly, every cast member delivers an exceptional and delightful experience for the audience. 

Poor People! is a fun show filled with one hilarious moment after the next that does not mind pushing the envelope as far as it can. Yet, no matter how ribald or risque the show may be, a Hell in a Handbag production always includes a heartwarming message to the audience of support and acceptance to all people, regardless of their gender, race or age - and this show is no exception. Tyler Anthony Smith delivers the timeless message of wisdom in the uproariously funny and endearingly adapted finale, “We’re All Gonna Die Soon!” Embrace the present moment! We’re all here now, but who knows what tomorrow holds. So, let’s have fun and enjoy life! 

Poor People! The Parody Musical with musical direction by Andrew Milliken and choreography by Christopher Kelley is being performed at The Chopin Studio Theatre (1543 W. Division St.) through June 16th. For tickets and/or more show information visit https://www.handbagproductions.org/.   

Highly recommended.

*Extended through June 23rd!