"The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time"

August 29, 2019 — The Weathervane Theatre in Whitefield, New Hampshire chose well when they included "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" for their 54th season. The book by Mark Haddon won more than 17 literary awards from several countries, and Simon Stephens' adaptation for the stage won seven Olivier Awards and five Tony Awards.

Cady Huffman directed this production for the Weathervane with costumes by Rien Schlecht. The unusual set by Gibbs Murray, consisting of a bare stage with tall, movable, various colored panels, two compartments in at the back of the stage for actors to emerge and speak from, and stair-step structures at each end of the stage seemed deceptively simple, but worked perfectly for this presentation.

In a tremendously moving performance, Jorge Donoso portrayed Christopher John Francis Boone. The word isn't mentioned, but Christopher appears to be autistic, highly intelligent but unable to cope with everyday life, horrified of being touched, and distrustful of all but the few he's closest to. He's led an extremely sheltered life, but that all changes when shortly after midnight he discovers his neighbor's dog, dead with a garden fork through its body. At first he's suspected of the horrible deed, but it sends him on a quest to find the real killer, using his above-average analytical ability and ranging far from the comfort of his small world.

Shinnerrie Jackson is Siobhan, Christopher's teacher, advisor and  most trusted confidant. Her commentary, sometimes speaking Christopher's words, sometimes narrating, moves the story along. Geoffrey Kidwell is Christopher's father and Marisa Kirby his mother. Six more actors played roles described only as Voices One through Six. The entire cast spoke in convincing British accents, honoring the play's British origins.

The story is less about the dog and more about Christopher's journey of discovery, learning about his world and himself. This was my first trip to the Weathervane Theatre in five years, and I'll remember this play as a highlight of the 2019 summer theater season.

"Things My Mother Taught Me"

August 27, 2019 — For the final play of its 89th season, the Barnstormers Theatre in Tamworth, New Hampshire, presented Katherine DiSavino's "Things My Mother Taught Me," a comic take on the age-old problem of parents unable to let their children go. This production was directed for the Barnstormers by Buddy Haardt, a frequent actor in Barnstormers plays. The set, perfectly designed for the needs of the play, was by Sarah Rozene. Mary Selvoski designed the costumes.

Gabe (Jordan Ahnquist) and Olivia (Melanie Beck), so far unmarried and unengaged (although Gabe may have a surprise up his sleeve) are moving into an apartment in a low-rent but potentially high-crime neighborhood in Chicago. Olivia is emotional, dramatic and excitable while Gabe is low-key and humorous.

For the first 15 minutes or so of the first act, Gabe and Olivia engage in seemingly pointless conversation about their parents, the problems of moving, items brought to the new apartment, such as Gabe's large carton of a dozen or so boxes of chocolate-coated cereal because they're the last cereal to include a prize in every box. A living room chair has become stuck in the door, forcing them to bring the rest of their belongings up the fire escape, not visible in the play. But none of this is pointless. It's important to listen carefully. Everything becomes key to the second act.

Max (Andrew Codispoti), the Polish building superintendent, is no help. When he doesn't care to answer a question, he declares in perfect English that his English isn't so good. However, he warns them to keep an eye on their moving van because of crime in the area. Because he warned of this, is there a good chance the van is going to be stolen? In drama, this is called "Chekhov's gun." Russian playwright Anton Chekhov said if a gun appears in the first act, it has to be fired before the end.

The first surprise visit is Gabe's parents, Wyatt (Frank Ridley) and Lydia (multiple-award winner Dee Nelson) who drove all the way from Connecticut. They see no reason to book a hotel room when they can stay with Gabe and Olivia. After all, they have two bedrooms. Next to arrive are Olivia's parents, Karen (Donna Sorbello) and smart-phone addicted Carter (Jordan Reeves).

Later, Wyatt and Carter decide to go out searching for Gabe who has gone to find the stolen van (you guessed it). Gabe returns empty-handed, followed later by Wyatt and Carter, gloriously and hilariously drunk in the two best performances of the play.

How does it all end? I won't spoil it in case you have a chance to see it, but suffice it to say DiSavino's cleverly-devised, well-written play, when performed by a cast as brilliant as the Barnstormers', is a joy to behold. It ends their season on a high note. I'm already looking forward to next summer's offerings.

"Spider's Web"

August 13, 2019 — I love an Agatha Christie mystery. The Barnstormers Theatre in Tamworth, New Hampshire has produced many of them over the years. A murder mystery-comedy, "Spider's Web" uses some standard Christie plotting, a murder, suspicion falling on several people, a visit from an inspector, and an entire final act sorting through lies, contradictions, evasions and red herrings, slowly zeroing in on the truth, always something you never saw coming.

Henry Hailsham-Brown (Jordan Reeves), a foreign office diplomat, and his second wife, Clarissa (Madeleine Maby, always superb), reside in a large house they were attracted to by cheap rent. Living with them is Henry's teen-age daughter, Pippa, to whom Clarissa is now step-mother. Also rooming in the house are Sir Rowland Delahaye (Barnstormers veteran Robert Bates), Hugo Birch (Blair Hundertmark) and Jeremy Warrender (Buddy Haardt). Another resident is Mildred Peake (another Barnstormers veteran, Penny Purcell), the gardener.

The story is complicated. You have to cling to every word of dialog, secret desk drawer, mysterious envelope, door behind a bookcase and missing playing card to follow it. Even something as innocent-sounding as the name Brown is important.

When Oliver Costello (John Long), the husband of Henry's first wife and mother of Pippa, pays an unexpected visit and is caught by Clarissa rummaging through desk drawers, angry words fly and Costello informs Clarissa his wife wants Pippa back. Clarissa orders him out of the house, but he returns in the dark of night and is in the process of searching the desk again when a hand with a club reaches from an opening behind the bookcase and bashes him over the head. He falls behind a sofa where Clarissa later discovers his body.

Pippa tearfully tells Clarissa she's responsible for killing Costello, whom she despised and feared. To protect her, Clarissa convinces the three male boarders to dispose of the body. They get as far as moving the body behind the bookcase when Inspector Lord (Robert St. Laurence) knocks on the door, accompanied by Constable Jones (William R. Johnston). They had received a call that a murder had been committed in the house, but from whom?

When the body is eventually discovered, Clarissa is forced to concoct a story too bizarre for the police to believe. And do any of us believe Pippa really murdered Costello? I should mention that through all this, Clarissa's husband Henry is away and unaware of any of these events.

Also appearing was Hank Offinger as the butler. This was one of the best-acted and directed plays at the Barnstormers in the past two seasons in my humble opinion. Clayton Phillips directed this production. Emily Nichols was responsible for the beautiful drawing room in which the entire play takes place.

"Grease"

August 1, 2019 — On my second visit to the New London Barn Playhouse in New London, New Hampshire this season, I joined a nearly full house to enjoy "Grease." This iconic musical play and movie about 1950s teens at fictional Rydell High School brought twenty players to the Barn's stage. John Battagliese and Lauren Echausse were outstanding in the roles of Danny Zuko and Sandy Dumbrowski, made memorable in the 1978 movie version by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. Even those who never witnessed the play or movie certainly would recognize some of the great songs, such as "Summer Nights," "Freddy My Love" and "You're the One That I Want."

This was a fine production by the Barn. Of course it doesn't have the  polish of Broadway or Hollywood, but in the small, rustic Barn theater with its worn, uneven floors, low-hanging balcony and ringing of a cowbell to alert the audience intermission is over, it's an experience that can't be matched anywhere else.

"Grease" was written by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey. The Barn's production was directed by Russell Garrett with scenic design by Brad Carlson and costumes by Karl Green. Dance numbers, which were excellent and full of energy, were choreographed by Michael D. Jablonski. Katie Siegmund was musical director.

I won't attempt to list the entire twenty-member cast here, but besides the aforementioned Battagliese and Echausse, Daniel S. Hayward was the flamboyant master of ceremonies, Vince Fontaine. Kailie Boyle was Rizzo, leader of the Pink Ladies. Dawn Tucker, who I felt should have had more time on-stage, was the teacher, Miss Lynch. Nick Cortazzo was the quintessential '50s jock, Johnny Casino. Bradley Ford Betros ate up scenery as Roger, and Justin Norwood was the nerdy Eugene.

Song and dance numbers were exhilarating. Solos were all well-sung, but a bit over-amplified, as was the orchestra at times. But, I suppose if you don't like it loud, you've got no business at a rock musical. I should mention Caroline Attayek as Patty Simcox and RhonniRose Mantilla as Cha-Cha DeGregorio, both of whom appeared earlier this season at the Barn in "Pajama Game," for their great dance moves.