Summer shows continue into fall season
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. >> Nowadays it’s impossible to tell when the theater summer season ends and the fall-winter season begins.
A couple of shows that opened in August continue through the beginning of September, and a couple of theaters that do the bulk of their work September through May are opening shows this weekend. Indeed, many organizations are becoming year round producers.
One such organization is Curtain Call Theatre in Latham.
It produces eight shows a year, including one that runs for most of the summer. On Friday it opens, “Broadway Bound,” by Neil Simon, part of what has been called Simon’s semiautobiographical “Eugene Trilogy.” The others in the trilogy - which Curtain Call has already produced - are “Brighten Beach Memoirs” and “Biloxi Blues.”
In “Broadway Bound”, Eugene and his older brother Stanley are attempting to break into writing for radio and television. A sensitive sub-plot is the marital problems between the boys’ mother and father.
The skit they write that brings them their big break is obviously based on their family. When the family hears themselves portrayed on the radio it causes a lot of comedic tension in their home. The play has the ring of truth since the Simon brothers did write for the hit television comedy “Your Show of Shows.”
“Broadway Bound” plays at Curtain Call Theater, 1 Jeanne Jugan Lane, Latham through August 28 For schedule and tickets call 518-877-7529.
Another opening this week is “The Heiress,” at Albany Civic Theatre. The play written by Ruth and Augustus Goetz is based on the Henry James novel “Washington Square.”
It tells the story of a shy, unattractive female who in 1850 was unloved by her widowed father and it was thought she would never find happiness with a male suiter. The wealthy woman goes against her father’s wishes and falls in love with a gigolo. The conflict is damaging to all relationships.
Despite her insecurities and lack of a male role model, Catherine eventually discovers her inner strength and takes charge of her life.
Though melodramatic in tone, the work has been beloved by audiences who appreciate positive stories of self-empowerment.
“The Heiress” plays Thursday to Sundays at Albany Civic Theatre, through September 22 at 235 Second Avenue, Albany. For tickets and schedule information call (518) 462-1297.
“Top Dog/Underdog” closes at Shakespeare & Company on Sunday. It’s a play about two AfricanAmerican brothers who share a one room apartment. One is a stand-in target for Abraham Lincoln in an arcade; the other is an expert shoplifter. Both men have dreams that are stunted by the color of their skin and the economic caste system which limits their future. Their dreams are futile, but their needs are great.
“Top Dog/Underdog” is a remarkable play that defines the existence of two black males and, by so doing, offers insight on the Black Experience in America. This is a great play that is also marvelously acted. It is the best drama of the summer. For tickets and schedule information call (413) 637-3353 or go to shakespeare.org
“If I Forget” at Barrington Stage Company in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, is also in its final weekend. Originally scheduled to run through Sept. 1, the work about three generations of Jewish-Americans gathering to discuss family and world history has been extended through Sept. 7.
It is an extremely intelligent and passionate work that ultimately makes the point about what we select to remember, or more importantly - to forget, distort or disregard. Consequently, we define ourselves as individuals and as a people.
“If I Forget” is a beautiful play that reminds us that we are who or what we remember. For tickets call (413) 236-8888, or go to barringtonstageco.org
Yes, the bulk of the summer theater season is over, but there is still plenty to enjoy.