Boston Theatre Marathon '06

From: "will stackman" profwlll@yahoo.com

Subject: Quicktake - "Boston Theatre Marathon '06" by 50 Playwrights

Date: Mon, May 22, 9:08 AM

Quicktake on THEATRE MARATHON '06

     The eighth Boston Theatre Marathon, running for the second year in May rather than in connection with the actual event, showed some general improvement in the writing of its 10 minute pieces, if not in the diversity of participation or the ambitions of the work. Many of the more notable works, from Robert Bonotto's opening piece, "Mal Canto," an opera burlesque featuring Sara DeLima and Robert Saoud with Jeffrey Goldberg at the piano to Jack Neary's closer, a character study of two actresses written for and performed by IRNE winners Ellen Coulson and Bobbie Steinbach were sketches appropriate for revues. Very few pieces tried to complete a dramatic arc in 10 minutes. But the entertainments were varied, including Richard Snee's "Black Irish" performed with his wife Paula Plum or Ted Reinstein's "Fine!", a political satire featuring Barlow Adamson, Sean McGuirk, and Ilyse Robbins. There were notable solo performances such as Ellen Peterson's tough wife in Janet Kenney's "Weight," Kevin Dunkleberg's tattooed man in John Kuntz' "Oscar," or on a more serious note, Cristi Miles in J.K.Walsh's "Huma's Loom."
     Past marathon participants included Eliza Rose Fichter and Debra Wise playing mother and mother in Patrick Gabridge's unique family drama, Vince Siders and Jeff Gill in Jon Shanahan's "Brushstroke." a rumination on artistic impulse and Will Lyman and Melinda Lopez in Jon Lipsky's intense duet, ""Belly of the Whale." Andrea Kennedy's "Bobby Came Home" with Nathaniel McIntyre as a returning Iraq War vet was a searing comment on the consequences of combat. And Robert Mattson's "Martinis, Dry & Bitter" gave Jennifer Condon another plum role seated at the bar.
     The Boston Theatre Marathon continues to fulfill its place in the local theatre scene as a charity event and a chance for the diversity of local theatre companies, from the Wellesley Summer Theatre doing Megan Maile Green's "Theology Class" using members of their soon-to-open "Ideal Husband" to the Portland Stage having fun with Jason Wilkin's "Kickass Librarian," a variously political sketch. It remains a chance to see the range of actors already mentioned, plus groups such as Rough & Tumble, who did part of their current piece, "Hinterlands" which closes this coming weekend to QE2 who did George Sauer's "Miss Marple..." with Charlotte Ann Dore, Jennifer Barton Jones, and Helen McElwain. Sauer's latest, "Heading for Eureka" opens this coming weekend next door in the Plaza. McElwain, another Marathon veteran, also appeared in Leslie Harrell Dillen's "Brain Surgery" opposite Robert Murphy, who also showed up in Ernest Thompson's "American Terrorist," another oblique swipe at current affairs. And the listing could go on. Quite simply, you hadda be there. Next year, go.

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"Boston Theatre Marathon '06" by 50+ Playwrights, Sunday May 21

sponsored by Boston Playwrights' Theatre in the Wimberley, Calderwood Pavilion

BCA, 529 Tremont, Boston
Boston Playwrights' Theatre