Although I wasn’t able to get to the Detroit Improv
Festival, I did up my count of shows I’ve seen in recent days by two – both of
which I highly recommend.
The first is “Anatomy of a Hug” at Northville’s Tipping
Point Theatre. Catching this show is well worth the price of admission (and
more) thanks to the amazing and emotional performance of Sandra Birch as a
woman with cancer trying to reconnect with the daughter who hates her guts. Dani
Cochrane as the resentful daughter is a wonderful ying to Birch’s yang, as she allows
us to share the personal roller coaster ride she takes while dealing with a
mother she never expected back in her life. She might even be a wee bit more
impressive as the object of Michael Lopetrone’s initially unwanted affection. Watching
how earnest he is at trying to connect with her – and how he handles her
constant rejection – proves yet again what a fine actor Lopetrone is. Completing
the cast is Tiffany Aisha King, who playwright Kat Ramsburg saddles with being
the character who enters at appropriate times to provide background details the
audience needs to make sense of the story and then offers guidance and support
to the characters to drive the plot to its conclusion. King raises the role
several notches by enriching her character with carefully blended compassion,
wisdom and understanding when needed. Director Beth Torrey cast well when
considering this role. Warning #1: Bring a hanky. Warning #2: Don’t try
unwrapping your candy in a totally quiet house as the plot is almost at its
climax; if you do (like the woman sitting in front of me did), you too will be given
dirty looks from people not only next to you, but also across the stage from
you. (From behind it looked like she eventually thought better of the idea and
dropped the candy back in her purse.)
Next up is a play I’ve seen different versions of over
the years, but now I’ve seen my favorite: “Cyrano de Bergerac,” courtesy of the
Michigan Shakespeare Festival. Yes, I know it’s not written by The Bard, but
artistic director (and director of “Cyrano”) Janice L. Blixt sneaks in a
different playwright every season, and her choice for this year was top notch! The
script is the 1923 adaptation by Brian Hooker, but Blixt snipped a bit here and
there, the result of which was a tight ride easily digestible for the audience
and much fun for the 15 actors who brought it to life. David Blixt stars at the
title character – he with the super-sized snout, if you remember your high
school English or lit class – and I suspect he’s having the time of his life
with the role. So too is the rest of the cast, as the show breezes by in what
seems to be far less time than what the clock indicates. This is a Cyrano whose feelings
and emotions are easy to read, thanks to the physical embellishments David
Blixt gives his lines; a quick glance here, a broad gesture there, a devilish
grin and a twinkle of the eyes are all expertly blended with the dialogue (his
or others) to deliver a Cyrano that won’t soon be forgotten. Others in the cast
are also colorful in their portrayals: among the many are the lovely and sexy Vanessa Sawson as Roxane,
the object of Cyrano’s affection (as well as that of at least two others); Robert
Kauzlaric as the villainous Comte de Guiche (another suitor, but married); Michael Morrow as
the handsome Christian de Neuvillette (the third and final suitor, unskilled and clumsy in the art of woo); and John
Lepard as Le Bret, a friend of Cyrano. But I couldn’t help but smile every time Alan
Ball entered the stage as Ragueneau, the baker with the jiggle in the
middle. I don’t think it’s possible for Ball to be
anything but excellent in any role he tackles. Also of note is the music
composition and design by Kate Hopgood, and the cool projections (which fascinated many in the audience) by Jeromy Hopgood.
"Anatomy of a Hug" continues at Tipping Point Theatre in Northville through August 25. For complete show details, CLICK HERE!
The Michigan Shakespeare Festivals production of “Cyrano de Bergerac” continues in rotating repertory at The Village Theatre at Cherry Hill in Canton through August 18. For complete show information, CLICK HERE!
Captions:
Top: Vanessa Sawson, Lauren Grace Thompson, David Blixt
Above: Dani Cochrane, Michael Lopetrone, Sandra Birch