A: Is for Actors who excite a Performance!

Art comes in many forms and this week it is in theatre productions to see. Here are three that will excite you and are must sees:

From the 1930's to the 1950's the world was known as the Golden Age of Radio. Headliners like Fanny Brice, George Allen and Orsen Wells ruled the airwaves as the sounds of big band were common place. Hamm & Clov Stage Company (named for two characters in Samuel Beckett’s “Endgame”) bring back that area with their production of THE NAKED CITY RADIO SHOW, June 19th through June 29th. Written by an international team of playwrights, Jimmy Kerr, Paula Shanley Marchese and Holly Villaire, and directed by Holly Villaire, it will feature a special appearance by singer-songwriter Laura Veltz of the Veltz Family Band and live pre-show music by “Salt of the Earth.” Inspired by the 1948 film NAKED CITY (“there are 8 million stories in the naked city…”) this is the first episode of a fictitious radio show broadcast performed before a live audience. It will follow the story of a young singer-songwriter from West Virginia in search of a story to sing. Based on real life characters and situations, only the names have been changed to to protect the innocent. I had a chance to read with this cast and there is something for everyone. You can catch THE NAKED CITY RADIO SHOW at TEATRO IATI June 19-29 Thursday-Saturday at 8pm, Sunday at 3pm Tickets at the door are $20, $15 (Seniors/Students) for reservations contact: www.theatermania.com /or (212) 352-3101 Hamm & Clov Stage Company develops productions from around the world. Their original production of “Anam” (Gaelic for “soul”), created as a tribute to the lives lost on 9/11, is now a CD in the collection of the New York Public Library. "Ardnaglass on the Air." was featured on both the BBC and Telemundo, and in April of 2006 the play was given its European premiere in Ireland at the Derry Playhouse. In 2007 the company developed and produced a new play about cultural identity that was first produced in Yonkers then went on to be given a special performance on Broadway at Circle in the Square. This is a company on the rise and one to watch.











There is nothing like Shakespeare in the Park. This production of Hamlet stars Tony Award nominee for The Pillowman, Michael Stuhlbarg in the title role with Lauren Ambrose, Claire Fisher on HBO’s Six Feet Under is Ophellia. Sam Waterson is Polonius which is great because Hamlet has not been staged at The Delacorte Theater since 1975 when Waterston played the title role. It is Andre Braugher, Claudius that is getting rave word of mouth which is no surprise since he is Julliard trained and won and OBIE for Henry V. Oskar Eustis directs and considering he directed two of my favorite plays Angels in America and The Kentucky Cycle, this should be a rare treat. Performances of Shakespeare in the Park are be Tuesday through Sunday at 8PM. Tickets are FREE and are available on the day of the performance (two per person) at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park beginning at 1PM and at The Public Theater, 425 Lafayette Street (near Astor Place), from 1PM-3PM. The closest entrances to the Delacorte are at 81st Street and Central Park West or 70th Street and Fifth Avenue.
My last pick will win the Tony next week for best play, director and actress. If you come from a dysfunctional family, this play will be hard to take. “August: Osage County,” Taps into the meltdown of a family in crises. This crafty production comes out of
The Steppenwolf Theater Company with a cast that is impeccable and unknown to New York audiences. Directed by Anna D. Shapiro whose understanding of the nuances of a family that never stood a chance, thanks to a monstrous self centered mom who has left all three offspring exhibiting clear indications of past, present or future emotional damage. Deanna Dunagan (Violet) embodies this character to a tee and the Tony is hers. Though Amy Morton (Barbara), the oldest and strongest of the daughters gives Dunagan a run for her money. Violet the aggressor finds and exploits all the sore spots and secret hurts of everyone around her. Picking at the scabs of everyone, taking delight at each fresh victim. Alcoholism, drug addiction, adultery, sexual misbehavior: The list of pathologies afflicting one or another of the Weston family is seemingly endless, and wearily familiar. This play has already won the Pulitzer as well as the Drama Desk for play, best actress and director. I found the ending hard to take, for like "The Hours" dysfunction seems to always win and that I find hard to take.

There are some that say theatre is dying but these three production show it is alive and well though a but heavy. However Hair is the second production in the park and that is a psychedelic F.A.C.T.