Amazon/Haiku

From: "will stackman" profwlll@yahoo.com

Subject: Quicktake - "Amazon/Haiku" by Alfaro/Snodgrass

Date: Sun, Jan 14, 8:29 PM

Quicktake on AMAZON/HAIKU

     This Equity Members Project at Boston Playwrights', which runs for one more week there, before moving up for a weekend in Gloucester at the West End, features senior actor June Lewin in two compelling performances in two long one-acts. In Rosanna Yamagiwa Alfaro's "Sailing Down the Amazon" she holds the stage alone as Rima, a retired actress recently diagnosed with Alzheimers, who decided to take a exotic trip rather than have an MRI. It's the turn of the Millennium after all.

     In Kate Snodgrass' "Haiku" Lewin plays Nell, the mother of an adult autistic woman, Louise, played Emily Singara. She's become sure that her daughter comprehends more than most people realize. Her older daughter, Billie, played by Kippy Goldfarb, gave up on that possibility long ago. But Nell, a writer, has published two short books of haiku poetry which she believes comes from Lulu and a crisis is looming as she's slowly growing blind.

     These two pieces paint effective and contrasting portraits of mental illness with the help of a simple but effective set by Lisa Pegnato and careful lighting by Marc Olivere. Matt Otto did the sound design, most important in "...Amazon." The economy and elegance of the writing in each play is a reminder of the serious work being done by Boston's local playwrights.

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"Amazon/Haiku" by Alfaro/Snodgrass, Jan.11-21, Jan. 26-28

JRV at Boston Playwrights & West End Theatre

949 Comm. Ave. Allston, 1 Wash.St, Gloucester (617) 661 - 7930
Boston Playwrights