Jekyll & Hyde

Parade

City of Angels

                               Aida

                 Miss Saigon

 Virgina Woolf       

     Carnival

            Oliver

Jesus Christ Superstar

The Nerd

 AN INSPECTOR CALLS

Crimes of the Heart

PAST SHOWS & REVIEWS

ON THE TWENTIETH CENTURY

JEKYLL AND HYDE

PARADE

CITY OF ANGELS

AIDA

MISS SAIGON

WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF

CARNIVAL

OLIVER

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR 

THE NERD

AN INSPECTOR CALLS

CRIMES OF THE HEART

 MAN OF LA MANCHA

ONCE ON THIS ISLAND

JANE EYRE

Area Resident Impressed with Theater Production

To the Editor:

This past weekend, I attended a performance of "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" presented by the Rocky Hill Theatre.  Although I am very familiar with this Edward Albee play.  I had no idea what production and performing levels to expect from this theater company.   I have the great pleasure to say that I found all elements to be of the highest quality.  The actors were perfectly cast, their performances enhanced by the set, costumes and lighting.  Director Elizabeth Daigle and her crew are to be commended.

I encourage everyone to make time to attend the final performances.  You'll be happy you did.  (The writer was a 42 year member of the Mark Twain Masquers Theater.
 

Aida Review:

 Aida Rocky Hill Town Theatre Review
by John Hoyle from TheatreLives.org
March 25, 2006

If you've ever watched a Miss America pageant, you'll notice what I call the "Miss America Phenomenon" The past Miss America always gets much more beautiful - after winning - than she was on the day she won. Rocky Hill Town Theatre is another manifestation of this - after winning the years best musical 2005, they've come back with a show that exceeds even the expectations placed on an award winning Theatre group.

The musical is an adaptation of Verdi's opera. The story is essentially a classic love triangle which includes the social construct of forbidden love. Aida, a Nubian princess (played wonderfully by Famecia Ward) , is captured by an Egyptian captain, Radames (Brian Fortin). He soon falls in love with her and saves her from a life of hard labor by giving her as a handmaiden to the Egyptian princess Amneris, his fiancé (and the Pharaohs daughter). Set against a backdrop of loyalty, betrayal, and forbidden love. Aida is the story of three people who are forced to make difficult choices that will alter history. Other elements of the story involve Aida's relationship with her people and her father; as well as Radames relation with his father. The story focuses on the Nubian relationships; while the Egyptian perspective is thin and underdeveloped, becoming nearly an evil caricature as embodied in the person of Zoser, Radames father (nonetheless, played masterfully by Michael Baron).

Aida, as presented by Rocky Hill, is a spectacle which Must be seen to be appreciated. Under the capable and experienced direction of Elizabeth Daigle, this show is a stunning production. Ms. Daigle has masterfully assembled superlative talent and created a confident, cohesive team that delivers a show of near Broadway quality. Such confidence is only gained thru careful practice and competent direction. The production is seamless. Scene changes are flawless, timing precise, lighting is professionally delivered. The fact that this show moves quickly with no dull moments is a tribute not only to the writing but also the precise direction of Ms. Daigle. By delivering the first Connectiuct Community Theatre-based production of Aida, and doing it with remarkable finesse, Ms. Daigle has transformed an auditorium into a center of great performing arts and delivered to Rocky Hill one of Connecticut's finest stages, including professional theatre.

The stage craft of Charles Wisnioski, Technical Director and Scenic Designer, is some of the finest to be seen. Mr. Wisnioski's sets are large, colorful, finely detailed, creating splendid settings to frame out the scenes of the large stage of Symington Auditorium. Each set is a masterpiece to be pondered and enjoyed. In addition to the rich set pieces; set design also allows focus on performances; at times framing performers as shadows on a red backdrop, an up-close-and personal song in front of a rich black stage curtain, or a distant image of a Nile delta tree-line. From the opening curtain, these sets are enchanting masterpieces of stagework.

Interspersed throughout this vast production are energetic dance numbers. Chris Mahn, a veteran of stage whose credits include such now legendary stages as Theatre by the Sea; has choreographed a show within a show. Dances are descriptive, sensuous, and captivating. There are no weak movements in this bold show.

Costuming is yet another strongpoint. Designer Solveig Pflueger has created costumes that not only enhance scenic perception, but at times can't help but overwhelm. A lavish costume parade ensues in a scene that compares favorably with the classic works of Erte'.

Lighting is yet another area where this production excels. There are no 'dark' moments, or wayward beams. Tim Honan's use of light is of laserlike precision.

Musical Direction by Carlos Silva is exceptional. The band - put simply Rocks! and rocks - and then some. With a sharp drummer keeping the beat, a deep and emotional Cello (which at times put a lump in my throat), crisp piano, and some of the finest flute playing I've heard, this band is a show in it's own right. While I've seen Carlos Silva perform on stage, and heard him sing, I've never had the pleasure of hearing him conduct - or of seeing a show under his musical direction. Now I can't decide which is his primary talent - he clearly has an abundance of both.

The cast is exceptionally skilled, and of professional quality (or better). Standing out is Famecia Ward as Aida. Ms. Ward has a magnetic stage presence and a flawless, strong and emotive voice. She captures the stage each time she appears and never fails to enchant with both her singing , acting, and stage demeanor. Being beautiful is another asset, yet Ms. Ward is equally as enchanting for her expressiveness. Famecia is entirely geared to perform and excels when in her most challenging numbers. I'm reminded of children out to see Santa and passing stores full of them. When they find the real thing - they know it. Have No doubt - Famecia Ward Is Aida and there is no finer portrayal to be found. This is it.

Jessica Faraday is a providential fit as Amneris. Ms. Faraday opens with a stunning "Every story is a Love story". Ms. Faraday is equally capable when delivering delicate ballads or belting the roof off. She also delivers a needed depth to her character - Amneris, who serves both as the character with the greatest growth thru perceptive transition; and eventually the witness to events. Ms. Faraday's duets with Ms. Ward are masterpieces which hit those rare highs in song and character which make Musical Theatre a great and unique art form. Their singing manages to go beyond creating beautiful songs into the realm of creating dramatic art, which is the highest form of musical theatre.

Brian Fortin as Ramades is another superlative performer. Brian has a great voice, and can hold and project a song with stunning effect. He is a great fit and a great lead, and one of the few who fully deserve to be onstage as the equal of Aida. The audience is lucky to have this combination of lead talent in one show.

The principal cast members comprise an exceptionally strong talent pool. Zoser as played by Michael Baron proves to have a great voice and wonderful acting abilities. While consigned to be the requisite 'heavy' motivated only by lust for power and greed, Mr. Baron nonetheless delivers an enjoyable character. Mr. Baron also delivers great songs. He is a tremendous singer and is again, perfectly cast in this role. Roderick Tyler also delivers as Amonasro. Roderick has a genius sense of humorous timing and manages somehow, to sneak in a light moment under the worst of circumstances. Mr. Tyler is convincing and has a great voice to deliver his songs, all of which are enjoyable. Carletha Hawley's Nehebka is superb. Ms. Hawley's voice and acting ability are flawless.

Perhaps the biggest puzzle to me was the ensemble, which contains performers of exceptional talent and singing skills. Many of the names in the ensemble are great singers and performers in their own rights - Denise Fyler, April Chateauneuf, Tara Abate, Michael Citak, Jessica Friend, to name just a few. I've heard these people sing - and fully expected an ensemble that would blow the roof off - yet the ensemble's sound was - for all the assembled talent - subdued. While perfectly on time and on pitch - they did not belt as they are clearly capable of doing. I can only guess that this is the decision of musical direction, or a technical issue of miking. Regardless, the ensemble, while not as strong as it could have been, was on target with each song.

This is a rare show - where many elements, and people come together to create excellence. Seating is limited! For anyone who wants to see a Broadway Quality show in all terms - music, setting, cast, direction - this is it!