The Herndon Times Review
THEATER
Local Best 2000
And the winner is...
By Michael Birchenall
Weekender Theater Critic
Weekender Section, Page 14, continued on Page 23
TIMES COMMUNITY
NEWSPAPER (The Herndon Times)
Wednesday, September 6, 2000
Weekender reviews the 2000 community theater season
Without further ado, the envelope please. I declare the 1999-2000
season for Northern Virginia community one more successful salute to those who
love the stage and do whatever they can to get a production up and
running. The votes are tabulated (OK, a vote of one) and the best play
of the year is "Our Town" as presented by Elden Street Players
(ESP). The Thornton WIlder 1938 play was uncannily fresh in this millenium
world we live in at the beginning of the 21st century. ESP and David
Fallen never lost sight of the stripped away portrayal of humankind as
represented in Grovers Corners, N.H. It was great theater.
Musicals are always the most popular endeavors and they make up the biggest
shows of the year. The great shows are the ones that can put together as
even as an ensemble as is possible and then to find the core of the play's
strength as it relates to the acting troupe. Reston Community Players (RCP)
presented this year's best musical, "West Side Story" as directed by
Martha Lynch. As I noted in my review, " 'West Side Story' is
directed by Martha Lynch and she has been fortunate in finding two young talents
in Debbie Stanley and Evan Hoffmann to carry the bulk of the acting and singing
responsibility. What Lynch has done so skillfully is to make the best of
the rest of the rather large cast, utilizing talent and spirit to keep the show
alive and moving."
Lynch is the master of the marriage of local talents in a acting, singing,
dancing ensemble.
Wendy Cohen takes this year's Best Actress award for her portrayal as Mrs.
Gibbs in the ESP's "Our Town." Wife of the town's doctor in the
play, Cohen took us through the routines of their daily actions.
"Cohen particularly carries her distinction of sharp reality doses all the
way to her last moments in the graveyard." It was the sharpness of
her portrayal and her clear focus and eye for reality that exuded her
distinction.
Bill Byrnes takes the best actor award for his role as the company manager in
"Lend Me a Tenor." I said in the review of the Vienna Theatre
Company (VTC) show, "Bill Byrnes, as the company manager, is bigger than
life on stage -- I can't imagine a better casting. He is riveting with a
dominating presence. Byrnes never misses a line -- never hesitates to
gather a lost, hanging word. He breezes through the performance with a
bravado and assurance that are outstanding and a joy to witness."
Yes, that sums up his fine work.
The best actress in a musical was a easy choice this year. Young high
school performer Debbie Stanley sang her way into the hearts of the audience for
her portrayal of Maria in "West Side Story" at RCP.
"Stanley was delightful, energetic, and a vision of youthful enthusiasm
-- and wow, could she sing."
Best actor in a musical came from C.A.S.T. in McLean's production of
"Annie." Stefan Aleksander, as Daddy Warbucks, combined his
talents as a singer and actor to give grace and style to his character. He
brought to the stage fine acting combined with a wonderful voice.
Some of the best work comes in the supporting roles of the stage. This
year proved that to be true as well with several stellar performances throughout
the year. The best supporting actor for 1999-2000 is Kevin Adams in
"The Runner Stumbles," ESP. He is perfect as the defense lawyer
Toby Felker. As the court-appointed defender, Felker is just the man you
might not want to have defending you in a murder case. Adams is
believable, honest and steady in his role -- a fine night of acting.
The best supporting actress is Linda High in her role as Ouiser Boudreaux in
RCP's "Steel Magnolias." Every entrance is an attention
getter. All eyes go to this woman.
This writer quotes himself: "High harangues and taunts with the best of
them -- so convincingly I'm glad she's not a relative of mine."
Best supporting actress in a musical goes to last year's winner for best
actress, Gilly Conklin. This year she played in a revue show by the
Springfield Community Theatre (SCT), "Closer Than Ever." She
sure can deliver a song that plays brightly to her acting enthusiasm.
Joining her from the same production as best supporting actor is Jimmy Payne who
gave me my favorite song of the season with the David Shire and Richard Maltby
tune "If I Sing" that was the showstopper of this delightful evening
of music. Bravo!
Best director goes to Suzanne Maloney for her work at VTC in "A Few Good
Men." Maloney was given the opportunity to take Aaron Sorkin's play
set in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and let the story flow with full force of the
capabilities of the actors assembled. Maloney succeeds and the audience
finds itself sitting forward in their seats, intently following the
unfolding of events in the courtroom drama.
Best director for a musical goes to Martha Lynch for her work in "West
Side Story" as noted by its recognition as best musical. Lynch is the
master of the ensemble.
Bill Glikbarg won for set design in "A Thousand Clowns" by the
Great Falls Players. Les Zidel took lighting design for "A Few
Good Men" at VTC as well as sound design with Emme Fallen for "The
Tenth Man" at ESP. Joe Gems and Willis Rosenfeld won for best
musical direction for their work in "West Side Story."
Now, let's not rest on our past honors -- the public is expecting another
stellar year of stage work. The 2000-2001 season gets underway in this
month -- the word out there is "best ever." That's great for you
and me.
© Copyright 2000 Times Community Newspapers
