Light
operation: H.R. "Roach" Crystal (Mighty crew of one!)
Sound
Operation: Jenn "eN" Koster (Goddess of the booth)
Camera
Operation: Alex & Keith Remon
Produced
by: The Northwest Actors Studio.
Edited by: H.R. "Roach" Crystal
CAST:
Taylor: Chris
Guerrieo
Cynthia: Amy Chavez
Paul: Tim Brandt
Libby: Glynis Mitchell
Andrew: Shobhit Agarwal
Roach note:
Without the support of a fabulous
crew, and an AMAZINGLY STRONG cast, this production never would have made
it. Emergency room, Death, Personal trauma, tired, broken, you name it
it HAPPENED on this production. The simple fact you can now watch
this, is a proof that the shear will and desire of 8 professionals. (Tony,
Amy, Tim, Glynis, Shobhit, Chris, Jen and Roach) and and will conquer all.
The Maiden's Prayer
Review - By Julie "XT" Ruffell
The lights rise on Paul, who is stealing a quiet moment to smoke. He
stops before lighting his cigarette and looks up at the audience. He then
begins to tell us about his best friend, Taylor, and when they first met. He
doesn't come out and say the words, but it's clear Paul is completely in
love with Taylor - the man who's wedding he is currently attending.
Within minutes he is joined by an angry Libby, the sister of the
bride, Cynthia. With bottle of champagne in hand, she rants about her hatred
of her sibling as only a younger sister can, and these two, meeting for the
first time begin what will be one of the strongest relationships in the
play.
"The Maiden's Prayer" opens with a story of unrequited love, which
is a running theme of the play, between all of the characters. It's also
about how most of them think they know what they want, and how they stumble
over everything in an attempt to get it. All except Cynthia, who seems to
have everything, then begins to understand that maybe these aren't the
things she wants.
A tragedy is the catalyst for the tensions as the characters move
carefully around each other, always afraid to bring about the inevitable
fights. There is no scene in this play where at least one character isn't
scarred by the truths and the attacks that breed from every conversation.
It's a strongly written play, and brought expertly to the stage by
director Anthony Curry. Curry has a fine attention to detail, and watching
him direct his actors, the blocking and the subtleness of the lighting cues
in rehearsals is inspiring. He even calls his actors by their character's
name when directing them on the stage. His love for the material and the
talents of his cast is clear.
Curry has the ablity to grasp the inner monologues of each
character, so much so that even the slightest gesture or movement of each
character, or their location in reference to the others, is as important as
the lines they speak. He moves his characters like chess pieces; each move
carefully laid out and planned for the final checkmate.
But what is a play without the actors to breathe life into the
characters. The majority of the cast is new to the stage, but you'd never
notice, as they all perform like long time veterans.
Chris Guerriero plays Taylor, the sun most of the other characters
orbit around. Taylor is the focal point of many of the conflicts in the
play, but he's nearly completely unaware of the drama that is unfolding
around him, as the only person is his world is his wife. While the other
four actors and Curry have worked frequently with each other, Guerriero is
new to their group, but blends so perfectly that you'd never be able to
tell. Guerriero's character is quietest - but just because Taylor's not
making the scenes, doesn't mean you should take your eyes off of him.
Guerriero conveys the pain of his character in body movement; subtle and
powerful.
Taylor's wife, Cynthia, is played by Amy Chavez. Chavez is certainly
one to keep your eyes on. Brand new to acting, you would think she would be
the weaker actor on stage, but, in fact, she is the strongest. With a
natural talent to bond with her character, Chavez's performance is gripping.
It is impossible not to watch her, even when her character stands outside
the action. Her facial expressions, with eyes that pierce, seize you.
Cynthia takes the most emotional journey in "The Maiden's Prayer" and it
will not be possible to leave the play with dry eyes after watching Chavez.
Though he can be hard to understand at times, Shobhit Agarwal, who
plays Andrew, is no less talented than his fellow cast mates. If you listen
and allow yourself to be drawn into Andrew, you will understand everything
Agarwal says without difficultly because you will understand the character.
Agarwal is not afraid to embrace his role and he enchants the viewer drawing
your eyes like a moth to a flame.
Our first introduced character, Paul, is played by Tim Brandt. It
was interesting to watch Brandt progress into Paul's character. From the
first time you see him when the lights come up you'd never imagine you're
watching a straight man play a gay one. Paul's character is the grounding
force of the play. It's a hard role that requires many moments of silence
while other character's are letting loose. Don't look away from Brandt's
eyes.
Glynis Mitchell plays the most lively, Libby, the character that
never stands still. The role is perfectly molded to the bubbly Mitchell, who
can say more with a hand gesture than others with a monologue. Perhaps the
most emerged with her character, Mitchell will hold your attention both when
Libby is at her most active, and in those few moments where Libby is small,
silent and contained.
With such an amazing cast and director, it's quite impossible to see
everything the first time. "The Maiden's Prayer" is one of those plays that
will show you something new every time you see it.
On top of a stellar cast and director, one can't overlook the work
of the crew. The set design is both simple and complicated. Designed by
Curry and brought to life by Ben Sharp, the first thing to draw your eye is
the large tree that occupies the center of the stage. Another focus is the
couch that occupies the part of the set that doubles both for Libby's and
Paul's apartments. These two locations serve for most of the major
revelations and moments of the play.
Don't forget to send praise to the booth, to the light and sound of
H.R. "Roach" Crystal and Jennifer Koster (who is also the stage manager).
One of the hardest and most stressful jobs once the play begins, without
perfect talent in the booth, light and sounds queues, so reliant on timing
can be lost. With Koster and Crystal, every emotional impact enhanced by
lighting and sound is perfectly hit.
Playing at the Northwest Actor's Studio on September 8, 9, 15, 16,
22 and 23, all the good plays I've seen this year have been hosted by the
NWAS. An unassuming building, it's like a home away from home and reminds me
very much of my high school theatre days. With two small, intimate stages,
NWAS allows you to fully enjoy the theatre experience while you are close
enough to see the actors' eyes.
Don't miss your chance to see "The Maiden's Prayer". For tickets and
more information, visit: http://www.roachsrealm.com/tmp/
BATTLE ON!
Xena Torres: Bitch of Rome
http://www.bitchofrome.com
