Liz Rubino Studios

Oakland visits subtle, complex ‘Shining City’

By GUY D’ASTOLFO

“Shining City” wasn’t the first choice for the February slot in the Oakland Center for the Arts season.

But when the rights to “In the Next Room” became unavailable, the downtown theater had to find a replacement.

Tom Smith, who was to direct “Room,” was disheartened at the turn of events. But his disappointment turned into excitement when he came across the script for “Shining City” while perusing a collection of best plays of 2007.

“I was taken with its complexity of character and subtle messages,” said Smith. “So I submitted “Shining City” to the [Oakland] board as a replacement. I couldn’t have been more pleased when they accepted it. The Oakland is the perfect venue for the show.”

The play is set in Dublin, Ireland, where a guilt-ridden man reaches out to a therapist after seeing the ghost of his recently deceased wife. But the therapist is dealing with his own personal conflicts and can only do so much to help, and the visits between the two men become a gripping struggle.

“The story is deceptively simple,” said Smith. “It develops bit by bit. We begin to understand the disassociation that all the characters are experiencing. None of them are living in a place they consider home, and all of them are at turning points in their lives.”

Christopher Haddock plays John, the lead character. Chuck Kettering plays the therapist, and Brittiani McNeil Ketcham plays his girlfriend. Kage Jonas Coven rounds out the cast in the role of Laurence, whom Smith describes as “another lost soul.”

Gerri Jenkins is stage manager.

Another reason Smith chose “Shining City” is because it is unknown in the area; the Oakland performance is believed to be the Mahoning Valley premiere.

Despite his reputation, Smith said he is drawn to serious works. “I am usually associated with outrageous comedy and slapstick in my directorial work, but at heart I am attracted to more dramatic material,” said Smith. “That’s one of the reasons I suggested ‘Shining City.’”

Smith’s most recent directorial work includes the last two “Farndale” farces at Victorian Players Theater.

Rehearsing the play has been a great ride for the entire cast, said Smith.

“We seem to discover another meaning behind the words every night we rehearse. It’s been a blast … and the people I’m working with have made it even more so. We even find ourselves chatting about it on Facebook. Most shows you just want to get away from when you are in rehearsal, but this one keeps turning over and over in your mind.”

The set will be kept simple to keep the focus on the action.

“The entire piece takes place in the therapist’s office,” said Smith, “so we will allow the audience to concentrate on the actors, not the set … although I won’t rule out a surprise or two as the evening progresses.”

© 2012 Vindy.com. All rights reserved. A service of The Vindicator.

New theater company to present urban play

 

Hot Topix Productions of Youngstown will present the urban play “He Loves Me! She Loves Me Not?” on Feb. 18 at Ford Family Recital Hall.

“He Loves Me!” was written by local residents Darcelle Formby and Velma Perry and is directed by Mike Forney. It explores universal messages of love, fear and commitment.

The play centers around lead character Dajah Henderson, whose world is shaken by an unexpected wedding proposal. Salon gossip, naysayers and her sister’s drama-filled divorce have obscured her vision, making it difficult to appreciate real love.

Hot Topix Productions is a book club founded and run by Forney that has book signings and discussions.

The club created a theater production arm this past year to help authors turn their books into stage plays. “He Loves Me!” will be its first production.

Forney, a former state corrections officer, started Hot Topix in 2008 and caught the attention of several authors, including Steve Harvey, Hill Harper and Eric Jerome Dickey, who used it to promote their books.

The club meets the fourth Saturday of every month at Barnes and Noble in Boardman from Feb. 20 to late November each year. With more than 500 members, it is one of the largest book clubs in the state.

For more information on Hot Topix book club, call 330-599-2777, or email hottopixsbookclub@gmail.com

 

 

© 2012 Vindy.com. All rights reserved. A service of The Vindicator.

The Youngstown Playhouse receives $30K in grants

Jan 31, 2012, Youngstown Vindicator

The Youngstown Playhouse has recently received several grants from area foundations totaling nearly $30,000 that will allow the Playhouse to continue making improvements and repairs to the building that will enhance the appearance of the property and will enhance theatergoers’ experience.

“The following foundations help make it possible for the Playhouse to continue its mission of bringing live theatre to area audiences,” said Mary Ruth Lynn, executive director.

The Youngstown Foundation has awarded the Playhouse nearly $8,939 and the Watson Foundation has awarded $3,000 to replace unsecured doors and to make improvements to the heating system and other heating elements. This project will improve energy efficiency and security.

The J. Ford Crandall Memorial Trust has awarded the Playhouse a grant of $14,580 to upgrade the sound system in the auditorium. This includes new speakers, headsets and assistive-listening devices.

The Neighborhood Success Grant Program through the Wean Foundation has awarded $2,824 for a beautification project. The Playhouse will be soliciting mural designs for a stone wall on the northwest corner of the property. Brush and debris will be cleared away from the same area. This project is a collaborative project within the community and brings together children, adults and organizations to improve the appearance of and security of the Playhouse grounds. The Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation and the Idora Neighborhood Association are also key partners in this project.

The Youngstown Rotary Foundation has awarded the Youth Theatre Program $1,600 for the spring production of Roald Dahl’s “The BFG” to be performed in May by the Youth Theatre.

© 2012 Vindy.com. All rights reserved. A service of The Vindicator.