Thursday, July 20, 2017

Think the weather is hot, checkout this LIVE THEATER show in the woods with David Lindsay-Abaire’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play Rabbit Hole! It's a MUST MAKE NOW destination trip, R-E-A-L-L-Y!


They are ordinary people, yet they hold our attention. Each has failings, blind spots, gets on our nerves, is too taken up in him- or herself – yet all make us care, all connect. We won’t soon forget them.
That’s David Lindsay-Abaire’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play Rabbit Hole, as performed in exquisite outdoor surroundings at Sycamore Hill in Pottstown by Theater with a View through July 29. It’s a gem of the summer. Fifty chairs surround the central area outdoors in this rural setting, and as these actors create worlds in our heads, cows low in the distance and birds flit among the sycamores. The power of this fine production derives in part from the play, which is direct, moving without being spectacular; and in large part from five terrific actors inhabiting their characters and those characters’ worlds with restraint and empathy.
Grief is the subject. Becca and Howie have lost a son, and both are lost, at sea without a guide. Becca can’t stand to be reminded, and is always packing away toys, clothes, any trace, while Howie holds on to every least sign. She has farmed their dog out to her mother, and he wants the dog back. She wants to leave this house, site of their disaster; for him, it’s the center, still, of their world. Becca cherishes her own hurt and denies anyone can help. To Howie she says: “You’re not in a better place than I am. You’re in a different place, and that sucks.”
Grief renders each word explosive and awkward. Lindsay-Abaire has a remorseless, accurate ear for conversation. Nat, the mother, natters on about the Kennedy sons dying (“all those good-looking people falling out of the sky, it’s a waste!), unaware of how it effects Becca. Gifts, birthdays, politics, religion, the least missed stitch in conversation, can open the wound anew.
All five actors are superb, with unerring direction by Seth Reich. Covalevsky renders Becca as long-suffering and irritating, but with flashes of dignity and humanity. Philly-area guy Drew Seltzer plays Howie as wrapped up in his own suffering and unable to extend comfort. Jo Twiss is wonderful as Nat, a master of hurting without meaning to. Connor Johnston is awkward and hinky as the high-school senior Jason, source of the central metaphor of “rabbit holes” that connect alternate universes: “If space is infinite, there are tons of yous and tons of mes.” When he rattles happily on about the good time he had at the prom, Becca bursts into tears, the one good cry in the play. Becca’s sister, Izzy – played with momentous energy by Jessica Myhr – is immature,insensitive, and, like everyone else here, unconscious of other people; she’s also full of vitality and hope, eating cake, custard, and Bosco like there’s no tomorrow. Myhr threatens to walk off with the show whenever she appears.
This play calls for rugged discipline, and these actors have it. Miraculously, these five explore grief without getting ponderous or even, actually, depressing. Instead, we have life as lived, and loss as suffered. Think about trying to see this production this weekend or next.



*The show is recommended for children who are high school freshman age or older.
Reservations through the website recommended, although walk-ins are APPLAUDED as well.

7 Shows remaining

SHOW INFORMATION

Dates: Jul 20,21,22 &Jul 26, 27,28,29

Location: Sycamore Hill  (my backyard) [map]
481 Ebelhare Road
                  Pottstown, PA 19465
                  (outdoors)
Prices:
Thur - Sat: $25 to reserve a seat (flexible across dates excluding Wed performances, pending availability)
Wed: Donate what you wish
Schedule:  Wed-Sat: 7pmRabbit Hole
Directed by: Seth Reich
Intermission: 10 min


Running Time: 2 hours

Monday, July 17, 2017

GOT THEATER? A must-see production going on in our backyard, literally



*The show is recommended for children who are high school freshman age or older.
Reservations through the website recommended, although walk-ins are welcomed as well.

8 Shows remaining

SHOW INFORMATION

Dates: Jul 19,20,21,22 &Jul 26, 27,28,29

Location: Sycamore Hill [map]
481 Ebelhare Road
                  Pottstown, PA 19465
                  (outdoors)
Prices:
Thur - Sat: $25 to reserve a seat (flexible across dates excluding Wed performances, pending availability)
Wed: Donate what you wish
Schedule:  Wed-Sat: 7pmRabbit Hole
Directed by: Seth Reich
Intermission: 10 min
Running Time: 2 hours


Read a review by Charley Scalies 

of Theater with a View's Rabbit Hole.


Charley is a 25 year member of SAG/AFTRA with principal roles in TV series including The Wire, The Sopranos, Law and Order,  Law and Order SVU, Homicide Life on the Street and Cold Case, and films including Liberty Heights and Two Bits. His professional theater credits include Guys and Dolls (Nicely Johnson), Fiddler on the Roof (Lazar Wolf), The Wizard of Oz (Cowardly Lion), Gangstertown (Mayor Big Bill Thompson)  and Niagara Falls (Mr. Poletti).  Charley has also appeared in Chicago (Billy Flynn), Annie (Daddy Warbucks), Damn Yankees (Van Buren) and Annie Get Your Gun (Charlie Davenport).
ABOUT THE PLAY
Becca and Howie Corbett have everything a family could want, until a life-shattering accident turns their world upside down and leaves the couple drifting perilously apart. RABBIT HOLE charts their bittersweet search for comfort in the darkest of places and for a path that will lead them back into the light of day.

Sunday, July 16, 2017

New Jersey's Own Marina Alex Finishes the USGA's 2017 Women's Open as Low American!!!!

Click here to read the full story from LPGA website

Excerpted FROM LPGA.com:

Marina Alex knew it would be tough to play in her home state of New Jersey, but handled the pressure well and finished T-11, the low American in this year's U.S. Women’s Open Conducted by the USGA. It’s her best major finish since 2014 when she finished tied for ninth at the Ricoh Women’s British Open. 
“This is awesome,” said Alex. “I feel like I've improved so much from then until now in terms of my game and just nice to be back close to the lead.
“Being in contention and being under a lot of pressure and just figuring out ways to handle it, ways to just improve on dealing with the environment and how to hit quality shots when under a lot of pressure.
“I don't think anyone can teach you one way or the other. You can ask a lot of players who have been there. It's a learning process. Everyone is different. They handle it how they handle it. It's just me figuring out myself. 
The hometown favorite had her entire family and a ton of fans out watching today as she carded a 2-under par, 70.
“Every hole. It's cool. It's awesome,” said Alex. “I'm really glad that the State of New Jersey and the community found it and interesting coming out to watch me and watching women's golf, being out here. I'm really happy.”
The New Jersey native has work to do to continue to improve but is moving in the right direction.
“I'm close,” said Alex, who opened with rounds of 71-70 before posting a 73 on moving day. “Mainly just handling myself under pressure and being able to play how I play the first two rounds [also on] Saturday and Sunday and continuing to keep that up and try and handle the circumstances better each time.” 
This week’s low American hopes to make the 2017 Solheim Cup team but knows others are hoping to make the team as well. 
“Playing would be fantastic, but if I don't make it I don't make it,” explained Alex. “It's not -- I'm still looking at how I'm performing throughout the year. It's such an improvement from the past few years.
“That's extremely gratifying. If I make the team, that would be spectacular, but if I don't, it is what it is. There's a ton of players playing well right now.”