WQAD’s Thom White offers his thoughts on movies, television shows and local theater productions

Archive for August, 2009

On Stage — Long Days Journey Into Night at Harrison Hilltop Theatre

Harrison Hilltop Theatre’s current undertaking is Eugene O’Neill’s Pulitzer Prize winning masterwork “Long Day’s Journey Into Night.”  The show takes place during the course of one day — from morning to midnight.   It centers around a family of four living in Connecticut in 1912.  And, it doesn’t take long to realize this family enjoys a drop or two of whiskey.  In fact, substance abuse seems to be at the center of their dysfunction.For Harrison Hilltop’s production, Ray Gabica takes on the role of James Tyrone, Senior — classically trained actor and father to the family, who’s also often accused of being a penny pincher.

Jackie Madunic brings an airy with bursts of harsh anger approach to his wife, Mary.  Madunic, in my opinion, is the most impressive, as her level of seeming craziness builds, leaving you increasingly wondering what is going on with this woman.

Jason Platt is the eldest son, James.  Platt consistently offers a unique style of acting to his roles, which seems as though he’s coming up with the words as he goes, offering an organic nature to his roles.

And, Harrison Hilltop regular James Bleecker is the youngest son, Edmund, who impressed me most by suppressing that boyish charm of his to present a melancholy, sickly character.

Maggie Woolley also offers a headstrong young woman as hired help, who doesn’t mind a sip of whiskey or too, herself.

While individual performances are good, there’s something lacking as an ensemble.  There was individual energy, but not an energy between characters, creating somewhat of a disconnect.  It may be due to the weight of remembering so much material and only slightly diminishes the experience.

I have to admit, this script is not of a style to my personal liking.  But, I think it a disservice to base my entire opinion upon that.  This is considered O’Neill’s masterwork for reasons I cannot understand.  There is too much rambling and repetition, with a fourth act that’s ungodly long.  With a bit of embarrassment, I admit I often lost focus and was often lost due to so much off set action being described rather than shown.  Even more stories of something that happened in the past were told, leaving too much to this theatergoer’s imagination.

Still, there is a reason this is O’Neill’s masterwork.  And, I’m a big proponent of seeing pieces held in such regard regardless of liking them.  Harrison Hillop’s production is good, with a cast that gives its all.  I have no reservation recommending “Long Days Journey Into Night” to those with a love of theater and who are willing to invest more than three hours of their time to take in the classic.

“Long Days Journey Into Night” runs August 20-22 and 27-29 at 7:30 p.m. and August 23 and 30 at 2:30 p.m.  Tickets are available by calling (309) 235-1654 or through the theater’s website - harrisonhilltop.com

Posted: August 21st, 2009 under Theater.
Comments: 1

On Stage — Seussical at Quad City Music Guild

The show is one big story, made up of several Seuss favorites   They’re all tied together by the Cat in the Hat, who serves as sort of our emcee for the evening.He’s causing mischief for JoJo, by way of Whoville, Horton and the Circus McGurkus, to name a few.

It’s a cute show with its main misgivings, in my opinion, being the songs that do not draw their lyrics from the works of Dr. Seuss.  They seem out of place and, lacking the Seussian language and with loftier lyrical ideas, are a bit hard to follow.  But, they don’t pull down the entire show.

Once again, Music Guild shines through its costumes — particularly of those protraying animals, but not directly dressed as animals themselves.  For example, Horton has no trunk, but is dressed in layers of gray with a pink necktie and pink shoelaces.

The actor in that ensemble, John Weigandt, is also well cast, with his gentile - humpty-hum approach — as are many of the main characters.  Emily Baker is fantastic as JoJo — pitch perfect and with such a range of acting skill for such a young person.  Eric Reyes is delightfully sly as the Cat in the Hat.

But it’s Jenny Winn’s Gertrude McFuzz who really impressed me. It helps that she has my favorite Seuss story.  But, also that she’s perfectly cartoonish and full of comical energy in the role.

And, I have to mention the set, particularly Who-ville, which pops out of the side of the stage unexpectedly in such a fun, dramatic way.Seussical runs August 7-9 and 13-16, with performances Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at the Prospect Park Auditorium in Moline.  Tickets are $15 for adults and $9 for children, available by reservation by calling (309) 762-6610.  For more information, check out Quad City Music Guild.

Posted: August 7th, 2009 under Theater.
Comments: none