Reviewed by Amalisha HuEck
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
What happens in the apartments of a New York brownstone during three different moments in time is fascinating to dig into. As the writer Catherine Butterfield had her share in one of those brownstone apartments in New York city while she was an aspiring young actress, she happens to love the architecture and often thought about, ‘what stories do those walls hide?!’
From her daydreaming, she developed an intriguing play in which, during three time periods, 1937, 1978, and 1999, different couples share their compelling lives in the same building and in the very same apartment. Linked by epochs, the set is interestingly realized by scenic designer Jan Munroe, who divided the stage into three separate areas with all its attributes: furniture, wallpaper or not, the carpet etc. suitable for each story. We follow an upper-class couple during the closest period to us today, delightfully portrayed by Isaac W. Jay (Jason) and Jade Santana (Jessica); a young couple in the 1930s, strongly performed by Matthew Goodrich (Stephen) and Chelsea Spirito (Davia); and two aspiring actresses whose experiences during the ‘70s striving for success in the acting field are portrayed by Rosie Byrne (Deena) and Amber Tiara (Maureen). The Opening Night audience expressed a well-deserved Standing Ovation.
Solid performances all the way around give us an original, different feeling for each of the living styles, mood and even the way love is expressed. Combined with wonderful costume designs by Mylette Nora, I especially enjoyed the garments from 1930s. The cast is strong and exciting to watch. The rest of the creative team includes lighting designer Gavan Wyrick, sound designer Kermit Frisbee, and properties designers Bruce Dickenson and Ina Shumaker. The stage manager is John Dimitri; the intimacy coordinator is Amanda Weierl, and the fight choreographer is Tambrie Allsup. Lucy Pollak is publicist. Great Team!
Co-produced by Carmella Jenkins and Beth Robbins, the collaboration between husband and wife (playwright and director) is magical. She writes, he directs. Strong, elaborate writing by Catherine Butterfield is skillfully accompanied by her husband director Ron West. Their ‘wonderful creative relationship’ is indicated in a Director’s Note: “To me, Brownstone is about who you think you are, who you want to be, and who you are…The story also shows how significant historical events impact ordinary people and how ghosts of those people intersect with one another. In the time we have known one another, Catherine has written five other plays, and I’ve directed several of them. I did such a good job, we got married.” Beautiful love story.
Open Fist Theatre Company @ Atwater Village Theatre, 3269 Casitas Ave., Atwater Village is the home for this production. The show opens on Saturday, Jan. 24 and runs on Fridays & Saturdays at 8 pm, and Sundays at 2 pm; all the way through February 28.
Running time is approximately two hours and 10 minutes with an intermission.
For tickets go to www.openfist.org
Photos: Erin Clendenin