#blackboxtheater

[trafficblrpositivityproject]

@blackboxtheater !! their characterisation is WORLD CLASS and i’ve never seen someone have a better take on the inner workings of mumbo jumbo. their gemtho fics are perhaps the best in the whole shop tag and basically they’re the fic writer i aspire to be

@blackboxtheater !!!

[openingnightposts]

The Goldberg Variations: A Complex Interplay

The Goldberg Variations: A Complex Interplay of Comedy and TragedyGeorge Tabori’s The Goldberg Variations straddles the razor-thin line between comedy and tragedy, irreverence and reverence. In the current production, The Goldberg Variations at New York’s off-Broadway venue, Theater for the New City, these complex nuances are reimagined in a powerful and deeply affecting performance. The play explores themes of faith, identity, and historical trauma—particularly the Holocaust—through a well-articulated blend of humor and pathos while offering audiences a profound reflection on human suffering. Dana Watkins as Mr. Jay, Derrick Peterson as Goldberg in a scene from The Goldberg Variations at the Theater for the New City. Photo by Jonathan SlaffSetting and Thematic FocusStaged in the TNC’s intimate black box theater, this play-within-a-play is set in Jerusalem. It unfolds as a rehearsal for a theatrical production based on Biblical stories with scriptural and Holocaust inferences like “all is vanity,” “the cattle cars will roll again,” “the wailing wall,” “sour milk and bitter honey,” “a pillar of salt and pepper,” “tower of Babel,” “Ninevah,” and “Joseph Goebbels.” Themes for scenes include the Garden of Eden, Cain and Abel, Abraham and Isaac, Moses and the Ten Commandments, and the crucifixion of Christ. Mr. Jay, portrayed by Dana Watkins, functions as the buoyant director of this production. Mr. Jay is also a comedic roué and a Jehovah of sorts. Tabori catechizes religious and historical narratives through this theatrical framing device, using absurdity to contend with trauma and the enigmatic realities of human suffering. L-R: Matt Walker as Adam, Jeff Burchfield as the Snake, and Alyssa Simon as Eve in the Garden of Eden scene from The Goldberg Variations at the Theater for the New City. Photo by Jonathan SlaffThe Cast's Dynamic RangeAt the heart of this production is a talented cast that brings versatility and emotional depth to Tabori’s multi-layered characters. Alyssa Simon’s exceptional portrayal of Mrs. Mopp, who embodies multiple personas—including Ernestina van Veen, Teresa, Tormentina Superstar, and The Golden Calf—showcased her impressive dramatic range. Simon’s ability to shift seamlessly between identities highlighted her skill in navigating Tabori’s blend of humor and pathos. Her performance deftly balanced the text's absurdity and the human experience's profound vulnerability.Derrick Peterson, playing the titular role of Goldberg, anchored the production with a commanding and compassionate performance. His portrayal of Goldberg—a figure echoing God—captured the complexities of divine authority as Tabori imagined. Peterson skillfully embodied the paradox of an all-knowing yet flawed character struggling to oversee human existence's chaos. Derrick Peterson as Goldberg in a scene from The Goldberg Variations at the Theater for the New City. Photo by Jonathan SlaffDana Watkins’ Masterful Performance as Mr. JayOne of the most potent performances came from Dana Watkins as Mr. Jay. Watkins brought a remarkable balance of comedy and tragedy to the role, embodying the complexities of a God-like figure who directs the play-within-a-play. His interactions with Goldberg, marked by irony and philosophical debate, delve into themes of responsibility and guilt as they debate the play's elements. Watkins’ portrayal of Mr. Jay as the mastermind of a stage extravaganza is not only a source of fun in the production but a critical player in driving the existential and theological questions at the play's heart. Mr. Jay's behavior as a lecherous roué, targeting female cast members and arguing for nude characters in the Adam and Eve scene—justified by Biblical references—added to the collection of paradoxes within the author's composition. L-R: Matt Walker, Alyssa Simon (as The Golden Calf), Jeff Burchfield, and Jee Duman. in a scene from The Goldberg Variations at the Theater for the New City. Photo by Jonathan SlaffSupporting Cast and Their ContributionsThe supporting cast added richness to the production. Jeff Burchfield, Matt Walker, and Jee Duman, who played Hell’s Angels and other minor characters, injected moments of levity into the work. Their physicality and vocal performances offered comic relief, contrasting with the weightier themes of the Holocaust and crucifixion emerging in the play's latter half. This blend of lightness and gravity helped maintain the play’s delicate tonal balance.The Emotional Depth of Bach’s Goldberg VariationsPerhaps one of the most striking elements of this production is the use of Johann Sebastian Bach’s Goldberg Variations as a recurring auditory motif. The piano recordings enhanced the emotional stakes of the narrative, serving as elegant reminders of the beauty and tragedy inherent in the human experience. As the cast navigated subjects centering on Jewish suffering and faith, the crystalline purity and Affektenlehre of each segment of Bach’s music provided layers of emotional complexity that heightened the audience's engagement with the play’s themes. Derrick Peterson (Goldberg) as Moses, Dana Watkins (Mr. Jay) as Aaron in a scene from The Goldberg Variations at the Theater for the New City. Photo by Jonathan SlaffA Provocative Exploration of the CrucifixionThe production reached its emotional peak with a raw and deeply affecting portrayal of the crucifixion, encapsulating Tabori’s approach to religious and historical narratives. As a European-born Jewish playwright whose father perished in Auschwitz, Tabori reimagined the crucifixion as a metaphor for Jewish suffering. Watkins’ portrayal of Mr. Jay during this scene was profound, embodying both the irony and tragedy of the crucifixion narrative. The performance challenged the audience to view the crucifixion as both a Christian symbol of sacrifice and a universal story of persecution and redemption.As Mrs. Mopp, Alyssa Simon particularly shined when delivering a graphic and detailed explanation of the suffering endured during a crucifixion. Her clinical and horrifyingly blasé description of the physical agony of crucifixion to Mr. Jay’s deviant delight evoked torrid horripilations in listeners—nails driven through wrists, muscles cramping, and slow suffocation—contrasted sharply with the comedic and absurd tones found elsewhere in the play. Simon’s performance in this scene was visceral, offering the audience a stark and awkward reminder of human anguish, central to the play’s exploration of Jewish persecution and universal suffering. L-R: Matt Walker, Jeff Burchfield, Derrick Peterson, and Jee Duman in a scene from The Goldberg Variations at the Theater for the New City. Photo by Jonathan Slaff.Conclusion: A Delicate Balance of Humor and TragedyThe Theater for the New City’s production of The Goldberg Variations is a provocative and moving exploration of faith, identity, and historical trauma. Dana Watkins’ standout performance as Mr. Jay and the stellar performances from Alyssa Simon and Derrick Peterson breathed life into Tabori’s complex, darkly comic text. Incorporating Bach’s Goldberg Variations added a layer of emotional sophistication that elevated the production, making it a must-see for those seeking to engage with Tabori’s challenging yet profoundly human work.The production, directed with care and precision by Manfred Bormann, successfully navigated the fine line between comedy and tragedy, delivering moments of levity without undermining the gravity of its subject matter. By the end of the play, the audience was left with a deeper understanding of the intersection between humor and suffering, a testament to both the script’s complexity and the cast’s skillful execution. Alyssa Simon and Dana Watkins in a scene from The Goldberg Variations at the Theater for the New City. Photo by Jonathan SlaffThe Goldberg Variations: A Complex InterplayTheater for The New CityCrystal Field, Executive Director, presentsThe Goldberg Variations by George TaboriDirected By Manfred BormannThe CastAlyssa Simon - Mrs. Mopp/Ernestina van Veen/Teresa/Tormentina Superstar/The Golden CalfDerrick Peterson* - GoldbergMathew Seepersad - Voice in The BoothDana Watkins* - Mr. JayJeff Burchfield* - Masch/Hell's AngelMatt Walker* - Raamah/Hell’s AngelJee Duman - Japhet/Hell's Angel*Appearing courtesy of Actors Equity Association. An Equity-approved Showcase.ArtisticMusic by Johann Sebastian BachStanley Walden adapted and translated the English lyrics for Masch and the Hell's Angels' songs from Bach’s musical version of “The Goldberg Variations.”Set Design and Builder Mark MarcanteSet Dresser and Props Lytza ColonCostume Design Holly PocketLighting Design Alexander BartenieffSound Design Cliff HahnStage Manager Mathew SeepersadAssistant Stage Managers Gabriela Tadesse And Jaz WilsonProduction Associate Defne HalmanGraphics Julie MardinPress Representative Jonathan Slaff www.jsnyc.comProduced by special arrangement with Gustav Kiepenheuer Bühnenvertriebs-GmbH, Berlin, Germany.Runtime was about 2 hours without intermission.Theater for the New City155 First Ave. (at E. 10th Street)New York NYBox office [phone], www.theaterforthenewcity.netIf you enjoyed this article, check out our reviews of other local events and venues, such as Dear Anton! Dear Olga!, Job at the Helen Hayes Theater, Inspired by True Events, A Hundred Circling Camps, Oh Mary!, The Journals of Adam & Eve: The World’s First Love Story, and The Edge of Nature at La Mama.https://youtu.be/15ezpwCHtJs?si=UNOXTWMMSfI8lxUN

[openingnightposts]

Witchland at the Chain Theatre

NEW YORK – Witchland at the Chain Theatre.Tonight's theatric offering was billed as a play depicting the town of Richland, Washington, as "the most toxic place in the Western Hemisphere." Here, as part of the Manhattan Project during World War II, the United States developed nuclear weapons, produced plutonium, and continued work in the late 1980s. It was no surprise to be greeted by theater ushers dressed in hazmat suits. Nina Randazzo as Shannon and Mars Holscher as Ali in a scene from Witchland. Photo credit Jordan SchreiberPlague DoctorsAs the audience entered the intimate, 65-seat black box theater, anticipation filled the air as people chatted about the ushers and grim dark setting. Silently sitting on the stage was an individual wearing a grotesque bird-like mask reminiscent of 17th-century European plague doctors. Dave Silberger as Jared, and Geoffrey Grady as Van in a scene from Witchland. Photo credit Jordan SchreiberHorriplilationsFilling the space was the sound of a forest with wolves and ravens evoking resonances reminiscent of Edgar Allan Poe's dreadful poetic horripilations. The purpose of the evening's performance was yet a mystery. Still, clues ascertained by the initial sonic and visual images were undeniably captivating, offering a glimpse into a dark chapter of history.Provocatively EntertainingAs the story unfolded, the audience sojourned in a world of horror and black comedy. The initial elements of fear, tension, and tragedy were liberally peppered with dark and light humor, creating a unique, provocatively entertaining experience that was baffling and unsettling. Was that a reference to Nurse Rached from the famed film One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest? Did someone say, "The baby cemetery was another Richland hot spot?" Nina Randazzo as Shannon and Theresa Della Valle as the Witch in a scene from Witchland. Photo credit Jordan SchreiberExpert TimingMoreover, tonight was not a gloomy chronicle or dreary vigil about superfund sites, nuclear waste, and Chernobyl. Bela Lugosi and Lon Chaney Jr. were not terrorizing the townspeople; instead, author Tim Mulligan created a virtual world haunted perhaps by the spirit of a comedy team like Abbott and Costello, who, through expert timing and slapstick humor engaged in physical comedy routines, hyperbolic movements, and witty comedic pratfalls as they encountered the Wolfman, Invisible Man, or Count Dracula.Immersive, Intimate TheaterWitchland deftly wallowed in evil witches, curses, baby cemeteries, winsome teenagers, family life, heroes, and heroines set in a dark, mysterious landscape. It also delved into modern families, 21st-century social mores, and the broad diversity of big cities compared to sheltered villages. The show provided immersive, intimate theater as characters swished about, performing both from the stage and among the audience. Theresa Delle Valle as the Witch, Dave Silberger as Jared, and Caitlin Clark as the Judith double in a scene from Witchland. Photo credit Jordan SchreiberComedic ChemistryThe show was fun and entertaining, with witty banter and rapid-fire dialogue that added to the humor of encounters with the witch and other mysterious forces. The audience chuckled at the constant quips and one-liners, quick wit, and comedic chemistry. These exchanges lightened the tension of horror elements while keeping the audience engaged and entertained. Anyone afraid of the evil witch (Theresa Della Valle) had to laugh when she madly cackled while brandishing a rolling pin and oven glove. She was, in a word, hilarious! Dave Silberger as Jared, Mars Holscher as Ali, and Geoffrey Grady as Van in a scene from Witchland. Photo credit Jordan SchreiberSee For YourselfInventive lighting, sets, and soundscape well-supported the story, apparitions, and action. The costuming was creative and suited to this 21st-century setting of a decades-old story about a hard-working American town. What forces ultimately prevail - evil or hope? You’ll have to come and see for yourself.Witchland at the Chain TheatrePresented by the Manhattan Repertory TheatreCast (in order of disappearance)Chelsea Clark - Witch DoubleBen Wambeke – BrettNina Randazzo – ShannonNathan Cusson - Worker 2, Hair manGeoffrey Grady – VanMars Holscher - AliDave Silberger – JaredTheresa Della Valle - The WitchDanny McWilliams - Worker 1ArtisticBy Tim MulliganOriginal musical by Steisha Ponczoch and Brandon AlbuDirected by Ken WolfScenic Design by Charli BurkhardtSound and Light by Ken WolfPA and Props by Kate MurphyChain Theatre312 W 36th St., 4th floor,New York, NY 10018(917) 261-2446Runtime: 80 minutes without intermission.Click HERE for tickets.Readers may also enjoy our reviews of Stalker, Grief Hotel, The Notebook on Broadway, My Beatnik Youth: A Solo Riff, My Mother Had Two Faces, and Before the Drugs Kick In.https://youtu.be/R-HOu_rIWsc?si=DF--pu4oh6MvoREl

[thenoticeblog]

So, a lot of this script, “Their Very Presence (will wreck it)” takes place in what in what I like to call the “Black Space.” It’s a brilliant literary place for playwrights that allows us to rely on the audience’s imagination to fill in the unnecessary parts, while we provide the essentials: the people. ⁣ ⁣ It comes from my playwriting days, when I’d often write character-driven stories that could be done on a shoestring budget, in a Black Box theater. I relish character-driven narratives, whether on stage or screen - but bringing it onto the screen can be a bit challenging. ⁣ ⁣ How does the Black Space translate onscreen? ⁣ ⁣ Obviously, you can just have a pure black background, but I wanted to try something more complex visually. And that’s what you see here. More updates coming soon!⁣ ⁣ #theater #blackboxtheater #indiefilm #quarantinefilms #thierverypresence #blackspace #thenoticeblog #gaffing #photography #photographersofinstagram #melanated #shadows #darkskin #theirverypresence #aura #dreamspace #cinematography #selfportrait #playwriting #newyorkcity https://www.instagram.com/p/CDO9gUfJEBJ/?igshid=kg4cbmudm9xa

[the-virgonian-catalogue]

@ngdancengcrew Next Generation Dance Company's "THE STAGE" THIS SATURDAY MAY 5TH #CincoDeMayo At The #BlackBoxTheater at The Mesquite Art Center. 18 and Older Showcase For #Tickets Click the Link in our Bio. (at Mesquite Arts Center)

[theecussionist]

JUST WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO BE YOU BUT NOT BE AFRAID OF SHEDDING THE OLD SKIN AND BECOMING NEW #bEATVID #4_2 #SPIRITUALAWAKENING - #AblossomFell #lofiedit #natkingcole #ecussionist x #KevinSweet #analogue #signal #interruption #circuitbent #videomixing #drummer #producer #DrumJockey #BlackBoxTheater #CU s/o to @kahnjaige for setting it up (at United Palace of Cultural Arts)

[mistyeasler]

Thank you Matt, McKenna, Huey , Jason, Meagan, Shoshana , Sam...I probably missed someone I'm sure I've told you face to thank you.. What a great run this was! I am so grateful for all those who came and supported me! Thanks to the wonderful cast for so much fun #bts #WhatATimeToBeAlive #actor #BlackBoxTheater #family #friends

[mistyeasler]

What a great run this was! I am so grateful for all those who came and supported me! Thanks to the wonderful cast for so much fun #bts #WhatATimeToBeAlive #actor #BlackBoxTheater #family #friends