review
Hampton celebrates its 25th with a hot 'Picnic'
Quick Summary
Don't let the slow Act I simmer discourage you. The pot will boil, and you'll feel the heat.
Photo credit: Handout/Handout | Starring in William Inge's "Picnic," Rachael McOwen and Justin Sease, with Diana Marbury in the background, Hampton Theatre Company, Quogue, through November 8, 2009. ( Handout )
The Hampton Theatre Company opens its 25th anniversary season with an American classic.
We never see the picnic that gives William Inge's 1953 Pulitzer-winning play its name. It's Labor Day, and the schoolteacher in Flo's boardinghouse will return to work tomorrow. It's also back to school for Flo's youngest daughter, smart-as-a-whip Millie.
But today's all about the picnic and dreams of a proposal for older daughter Madge, the pretty one, from her doting boyfriend, Alan, whose family is among the richest in this small Kansas town. But there's a distraction in the yard shared by Flo (Pam Kern) and her neighbor, who's hired a young drifter for yard chores. He's worked up such a sweat that he doffs his shirt. The only female who appears not to notice is Madge. Hal, the stranger whose body gives credence to his claim of football stardom before he flunked out of college, was Alan's frat brother.
As Hal, Justin Sease cuts a hunky figure, but also masters the fine line between bravado and insecurity.
Rachael McOwen reveals Madge's own beauty-over-brains insecurities, while Catherine Cusick as the kid sister restlessly expresses sibling envy without admitting so. As Alan, Nicholas Yenson is helpless around Madge and wary around Hal, while Frances Sherman paints a laconic portrait of a desperate "old maid" schoolteacher. She's dating a merchant (Paul Bolger) who thinks marriage may be good for business.
As the neighbor, Diana Marbury returns to the stage on the whitepicket-fence set codesigned by son Sean and by James Ewing.
George Loizides directs Inge's masterpiece with an unhurried Midwestern pace. Don't let the slow Act I simmer discourage you. The pot will boil, and you'll feel the heat.
WHAT "Picnic" by William Inge
WHEN | WHERE Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at 8, Sunday at 2:30 p.m., at the Hampton Theatre Company at Quogue Community Hall, 126 Jessup Ave., through Nov. 8
INFO $25, $23 seniors, $10 students; hamptontheatre.org, 631-653-8955
Truth or scare
Just in time for Halloween - a sophisticated ghost tale.
At Studio Theatre, we learn why "A Woman in Black" is still running in London's Covent Garden after 20 years.
Kipps, a retired attorney, asks an actor to stage his horrifying true story so its power might be dispelled. The actor (Bill Bria with a subtle Brit accent) agrees to play the part of Kipps, while the older man - a befuddled-by-fear Jack Holly - takes the supporting roles. Kipps was sent by his firm to examine the papers of a deceased widow. He's warned that the Eel Marsh House is haunted and that at high tide the road is impassable. Erick Creegan's set resembles a backstage storage space with scattered trunks and chairs. Hemraj Budram's lighting (or lack of) keeps our imagination spinning to an eerie soundtrack of horses, a child's whimper and a woman's scream - followed by a dimly lit visage of the gaunt woman in black (Karen Weibert).
To say more might spoil the gore-free fun.
WHAT "The Woman in Black," adapted by Stephen Mallatratt from Susan Hill's bestseller
WHEN | WHERE Friday and Saturday night at 8, Sunday at 2:30 p.m., at BroadHollow's Studio Theater, 141 S. Wellwood Ave., Lindenhurst, through Nov. 14
INFO $22, $20 seniors, $18 students, $14 kids; broadhollow.org, 631-581-2700
Postponement
"Tastings," the Northport Readers Theater fundraiser scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 7, at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, has been postponed due to a conflicting event at the church. No new date has been set.
With warm, sunny weather, it's the perfect time to explore the best parks for kids.
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