Aprende a bailar, que el baile casi todo lo cura. #baile #dancing #dance #dancinglessons #bogota #arteurbano #streetart #colšØš“ https://www.instagram.com/p/BondUzaln1x/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=57g1yn0r88mb
Looking through the material of #DancingLessons is like watching The Big Bang Theory live. But this play has a deeper meaning in understanding #autism while living in a #neurotypical world. Even when this is a romcom, it moves us in different levels. Must watch it on Aug 16, 17, 21-23 at @powermaccenter. Kudos to @twinbilltheater and the whole cast and crew of this production. #theater #entertainment #theateractor #stageplay (at Power Mac Center Spotlight) https://www.instagram.com/p/B1OVYfhn4OE/?igshid=166uclxgagdi9
Mark St. Germainās West Coast premiere production of Dancing Lessons is receiving a remarkably charming production at Center Repertory Theatre in Walnut Creek. Mr. Germainās script is strong in its sincerity as a rom-com that embraces the silly while not shirking the realistic. A two-person play with no intermission, the audience is invited into Broadway dancer, Sengaās, New York apartment. Ever, who, at first glance, is a neurotic nerd in need of a dance lesson, becomes the object of genuine affection for Senga, and the feelings are reciprocated. Though the playās structure indicates a love story, through superb acting and excellent direction by Joy Carlin, the simply wonderful journey from Senga and Ever results in a romance that is fresh and unexpected.
(Craig Marker (Ever) and Sharon Rieterk (Senga); Photo credit: www.mellophoto.com)
Plagued by an injury, Senga is on medical āhouse arrest,ā leg brace and all. When a faculty awards night is planned at Everās university, he realizes he needs a crash course in dancing, pronto! With the incentive of a Broadway dance captainās weekly salary being offered for one hourās work, Senga has no choice but to allow Ever to enter the apartment for a lesson. Silly names aside, and yes they are explained in the play, these two well-crafted characters are anything but silly. Ever has an ailment, that I dare not reveal here, which creates an initial boundary between him and Senga. However, Ever is blunt, no lies or sarcasm where heās concerned, while Senga is all shades of sarcastic, bitter, and treading down a seasoned liarās path. Played by Craig Marker and Sharon Rieterk, the chemistry and dynamic growth of their relationship is alluring and filled with investment from the audience.
(Sharon Rieterk (Senga) and Craig Marker (Ever); Photo credit: www.mellophoto)
Mr. Marker is earnest in Everās forthright approach to Ms. Rieterās Senga, exuding with ease the demeanor of a science professor who is always on the research side of conversations. Ms. Rieterk is a champion at playing the victim, as Senga is all too comfortable with inviting others to join her one-woman pity party. Ms. Rieterkās energy and balletic physicality reinforces how much dance means to Senga, that it really is all she identifies with. As she and Mr. Marker make their way through Mr. Germainās script, the two find ways to connect, disconnect, and problem solve. What happens at the end of the play is a beautiful partner dance, choreographed by Jennifer Perry, which has the intoxicating, heartwarming spirit of an Astaire-Rodgers number with the gravitas of a well-earned culmination for the actorsā great work in setting up just how meaningful the slow dance turn is.
(Sharon Rieterk (Senga) and Craig Marker (Ever); Photo credit: www.mellophoto.com)
What makes this play so enjoyable is the aforementioned direction and incredibly detail-oriented design team. Ms. Carlin helms this production with the right balance of rom-com hysterics and legit theatre dramatics. Itās a style that isnāt the easiest to balance, but Ms. Carlin does so without a hiccup in pacing or fluidity. Kent Dorseyās set design is a wholeheartedly accurate depiction of a New York dancerās apartment. The mounds of musical and dance company posters framed on the walls and a desk full of clutter give accent to Sengaās homebound distress she feels throughout the play. Teddy Hulskerās projection and sound design are superb, allowing the transitions between Everās lecture hall and Sengaās city skyline to be executed with ease.
(Sharon Rieterk (Senga) and Craig Marker (Ever); Photo credit: www.mellophoto.com)
The takeaway from Mr. Germainās play may be varied for audience members depending on outside circumstances and life experiences the playwright cannot control. What I can assure you, though, is this play will leave you entertained and pondering how people can change, whether or not thereās data to back it up, an ongoing theme in Everās world. Human experience and human connection happen for many reasons, even something as simple and innocent as an injured dancer giving a dance lesson. Go see this show.