Valley premiere of ‘Time Stands Still’ shows spirit of cooperation
The upcoming Lehigh Valley premiere of a Tony-nominated play, which looks at how America deals with news coverage of war and tragedy, shows what can happen when area theater groups join forces.
Kathy Patterson, who created AfterWords Actors Studio to train local actors, is directing “Time Stands Still” for Between the Lines Studio Theatre and it will be presented beginning at 7:30 p.m., Friday, March 1, in Civic’s 514 Theatre in Allentown.
“The idea of their forming a new theater company, and my idea of starting an Actors Studio were totally separate from one another, but our two companies have meshed together very well,” Patterson says. “We are two separate entities with very similar goals. They bring quality theater to the Lehigh Valley and I train actors so they are prepared to bring their talents to the stage or screen. We all work together well, both on a personal and professional level.”
Rachel Williams and Eric Hersh of Between the Lines Studio Theatre star in the play by Donald Margulies, which examines the lives of a couple who are journalists and make their living documenting war.
Patterson says she was part of a reading of the play in 2017.
“I found the story and subject matter fascinating,” she says. “Donald Margulies’ work is very genuine, interesting and very engaging. I felt that not only is the story great, but the roles are truly wonderful roles that actors can sink their creative teeth into, the kind I like to refer to as delicious roles.”
Patterson had previously worked with Williams and Hersh, and says she was “thrilled to learn that they were available and excited about the prospect of them doing this show with me.”
Williams plays Sarah, and Hersh plays her boyfriend, James, who are physically bruised and emotionally beaten when they return home after covering the Iraq War. While they are recovering, their best friend, Richard (Jason Roth), brings his new, young girlfriend Mandy (Jen Santos), to visit. Their burgeoning relationship makes James and Sarah examine their own relationship and way of life, and they wonder if it is possible for two people who are used to living in dangerous conditions to carve out a normal life.
“Time Stands Still” was nominated for two Tony Awards: for Best Play, and for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play for Laura Linney in 2010.
“The great thing about this cast and crew is, we all work together so well,” Patterson says. “It’s so important for actors to feel connected to one another and this cast is definitely that. As a director, it is exciting for me to watch actors that like to play and to discover new things throughout the process. They’re not afraid to challenge themselves, which I love. It’s like watching a master class.”
Patterson says her studio space in Allentown is a great space for rehearsal, but it makes it hard for her “to see the whole picture.”
“We’ve been fortunate to rehearse a couple of times at our actual venue, just so I can see the play as a whole,” she says.
She says she acted at Theatre 514 in the past and approached Civic to use the venue for “Time Stands Still.”
“I reached out to them thinking, ‘All they can do is say ‘no’!’ she says. “Fortunately, they said ‘yes’ and we are very grateful. It’s a wonderful space for a show like ‘Time Stands Still.’” Seating is general admission. “Time Stands Still,” 7:30 p.m. Mar 1-2; 8-9 and 2 p.m. March 3 and 10, Theatre 514, 514
N. 19th St., Allentown. Tickets: $14; $12 students and seniors. 484-935-3326, betweenthelinestheatre.com.
Dark comedy ‘Detroit’ at Northampton Community College
Northampton Community College’s Theatre Department opens “Detroit,” a play that shows the dark comedic consequences when new neighbors meet, Thursday, Feb. 28, at the Bethlehem Township campus.
Written by Lisa D’Amour and directed by Clair M. Freeman, “Detroit,” which was a Pulitzer Prize finalist, looks at issues of upward mobility and economic uncertainty.
In an unnamed suburb near a midsize American city, Ben and Mary fire up the grill to welcome the new neighbors who’ve moved into the long-empty house next door. Ben has just lost his job as a bank loan officer, and is starting a new job operating an Internet site to give help to people who are in debt. The fledgling friendship soon veers out of control, shattering the fragile hold that Ben and Mary have on their way of life, with unexpected comic consequences.
After premiering at Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre in 2010, “Detroit” ran off-Broadway at Playwrights Horizons in 2012 to rave reviews. The play won the Obie Award for Best New American Play in 2013.
The cast includes David Lippencott, Bessie Amato, Jake Geske, Melody Cruz, Griffin Boyle and Chad Schaffer.
This production is recommended for high school and older.
“Detroit,” 7:30 p.m. Feb. 28, March 1-2 and 4; 3 p.m. March 3, Norman Roberts Lab Theatre, Northampton Community College, 3835 Green Pond Rd., Bethlehem. Tickets: $5, free with food bank donation. 484484-3412, ncctix.org.
National Theatre Live presents ‘Julie’
National Theatre Live broadcasts stage productions from London’s West End that are captured live in performance and screened in high-definition movie theaters.
Williams Center for the Arts’ National Theatre Live Downtown presents “Julie” Saturday at Landis Cinema at Buck Hall, at North 3rd and Snyder streets on the downtown arts campus of Lafayette College.
In a new adaptation of “Julie” by British playwright Polly Stenham, August Strindberg’s psychological thriller “Miss Julie” remains as shocking and relevant today as it did at its premiere nearly 130 years ago. Set in contemporary London, Julie possesses a riveting challenge by introducing the element of race to a situation fraught with the fundamental impediments of class and gender.
Wild and newly single, Julie throws a late-night party. In the kitchen, Jean and Kristina clean up and when Julie crosses the threshold, she initiates a power game with Jean that rapidly descends into a savage fight for survival.
“Julie” is directed by Carrie Cracknell, and stars Vanessa Kirby (“The Crown”) in the title role, Eric Kofi Abrefa as the valet, Jean, and Thalissa Teixeira as the maid, Kristina.
“Julie,” 7 p.m. March 3, Landis Cinema, Buck Hall, 219 N. 3rd St., Easton. Tickets: $15, $6, students. 610-330-5009, williamscenter.lafayette.edu.
Telford’s DCP Theatre presents ‘Sherlock Holmes’
DCP Theatre of Telford is presenting a fresh take on the famous detective when “Sherlock Holmes: The Baker Street Irregulars” opens Friday, March 1.
The play by Eric Coble is based on the graphic novel series by Tony Lee and Dan Boultwood.
When Sherlock Holmes disappears, he becomes London’s greatest mystery, and it’s up to The Baker Street Irregulars to solve the case on their own. Sherlock’s adversary, Moriarty, is said to have killed him, but the ragtag children are determined to convince people otherwise. When the mayor’s daughter also goes missing, the group has another piece of the puzzle to solve. Will Moriarty get the better of them? Or will this unlikely crew be able to find the answers and bring Sherlock back?
The play is directed by Joe Maier and stars Chris Anderson as Sherlock Holmes, Brandon Pascucci as Moriarty and Jim Bingley as Doctor Watson.
The cast also includes Leah Foster, Ryan Budka, Emma Seachrist, Ciana Y.Bergey, Tyler Swope , Sienna Camlin, Olivia Bell, Chuck Kane, Jim Maurer, Christian Sibel, Tommy Beveridge, Thomas Bywaters, Maddie Bingley, Ana Bingley and Sydney Thompson.
“Sherlock Holmes: The Baker Street Irregulars,” 8 p.m. March 1 and 8; 1 and 4 p.m. March 2-3 and 9-10. DCP Theatre, 795 Ridge Rd.,Telford. Tickets: $12. 215-234-0966, www.dcptheatre.com.
Kathy Lauer-Williams is a freelance writer. clarimer@mcall.com Twitter @cklarimer 610-778-7993