![]() ![]() The muse of Newark he’ll be called, hmmph.” I was grinning like my grandfather, crazy with all the attention. “Ah, a fortunate man am I t’have reared such a find build of a boy-and a poet to boot. ![]() My father ignored him and broke back into his brogue. “Peter, help your grandfather to eat,” my mother said. Look at those fingers.” Grandpa sat grinning stupidly, strands of spaghetti hanging out of his toothless mouth, his chin orange with tomato sauce. He scowled at Micky, and his blade sharpened. “They look just plain darty t’me,” Micky said. Look at his hands.” He reached across the table and took my small child hands in his rough mitts. Of course, it will require discipline and rigorous effort, but all the talent’s obvious. ![]() “Yes, the kid’s got it-the makings of a poet-all the signs are there, not a doubt in my mind. My mother, a silent dark spook of a woman, collected the plates and doled out spoonfuls of spaghetti from the boiling pot on the stove. I slid into the bench behind the table, next to my grandfather. Perhaps afterward, m’boy, we could visit the Black Pussy Café, and then later for a bite at the Chili Con Carne Palace, yass.” “Yass, yass, yass,” he said, “I think this young man shows genuine potenchile, yass. “Sit down,” she said, “supper’s on.” But I didn’t hear her. He was like a sick bird, a feeble pet parakeet. He sat at the table and repeated sullenly, “Me guts are bilin’, where’s the food? Where’s the food is all I ask.” Grandpa winked at me from behind his plate and drooled a thin string of gleaming spittle on his yellow hands. “Ay yi yi, yi yi-you’ve got ink all over your hands,” site said. My mother grabbed me by the neck and began wiping my face with a drab washcloth. Steve Feeney is a freelance writer who lives in Portland.AY BE GOD, either me son’s a howlin’ eejit or else he’s a screamin’ cheenius!” My father’s big hands bent back the pages of the manuscript, a long three-page poem entitled “Birds Are Nice.”His blade of a nose flashed his teeth flashed in a white smile. The production reaches a high level while not undermining the play’s basic appeal.Īdditional issues of religious tolerance, gender norms, transphobia, cellphone addiction, stifling disabilities, human composting and more all add to the very broad palette from which “Paint Night” works in presenting six women hoping to have a little fun while trying hard to picture a better life for themselves and those they love. Anne Collins’ costume designs feel age and class appropriate, and the lighting by Betty Faul-Welfare subtly colors it all. ![]() The wide set by Kit Mayer offers plenty of space for the changing dynamics of character bonding. Jane Abernethy, as the art teacher, has her moments, as well, to reveal emotional scars. Jeri Marshall’s Gwen passionately raises multiple issues of bias in her life and particularly in her inability to return to the workforce. The pair’s differences come to a head in some touching, emotional scenes regarding Bree’s young son. Susan Craves is the annoyingly inquisitive Fern, whose traditional values are under siege from free-spirit daughter Bree, played by Jessica DiGiovanni. Kate Udall’s Miriam initially appears to represent a particularly strong center until we learn the reasons she’s really an “emotional wreck.” Her trendy adult daughter Lolly, played by Jessica Mosher, effectively brings out her end of their divided relationship. But the essential warmth and caring portrayed in the compelling individual and ensemble performances saves most of the tougher moments from going just a little too far over the top into melodrama.Įach performer is given ample time to shine. The play alternates rather quickly between emotional extremes. But each character has some baggage that can’t be completely put away for even one evening. The half-dozen performers maintain a balance within a light-hearted sisterhood. All the issues are located in the many individual challenges they, as women, battle as they try to balance the ever-changing demands of parenthood and work while attempting to somehow keep a pretty picture of it all in their minds.ĭirector Janet Mitchko has assembled an experienced professional cast with impressive resumes. In the process, the characters begin to unwind and vent about a long list of personal problems and festering grievances. The occasion of the play is a gathering, part bridal shower, at an establishment that encourages “Creativity with a Cocktail.” Each participant is provided with a drink, a blank canvas, brushes and paint and encouraged to express their amateur talents while a teacher gently guides them along. Carey Crim’s “Paint Night,” in its world premiere production, falls nicely within a genre of entertainment that blends broad, old-school naughty humor together with references to serious contemporary issues that personally trouble the strong women characters. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |