Samual Taylor Coleridge said that some art must be viewed with “a willing suspension of disbelief.” The audience’s relationship to imaginative works of art is especially true of the theater. This certainly applies to magic shows. Amaze is an ideal example of a show that works best with a “suspension of disbelief.”
Staff
After a one-year hiatus and venue change. Rock the Bells came back with a vengeance in 2025.
Josh Sharp is an accomplished actor, writer, and producer who is noted for his contributions to Dicks: the Musical! Sam Pinkleton is the winner of the 2025 Tony Award for directing Oh, Mary! These two have gotten together to produce ta-da!
Macy’s returned to downtown New York City for the 49th edition of the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks.
We are in Montana, 60 million years ago. A group of Actecraptors enters. These graceful, feathered dinosaurs are feeding and courting. Occasionally, mammals dart about.
Wesley is based on the book Wesley the Owl: The Remarkable Love Story of a Bird and His Girl by Stacey O’Brien.
Every time we enter a subway car, we enter a forced community. Each person has a different destination and dreams. Yet, we are united by time and space. Passengers examines human nature through a train journey.
Don Giovanni is considered one of the world’s finest operas.
The Fire Weeds is a feminist company. Two early one-act plays by Tennessee Williams are being showcased by his followers. These are The Pretty Trap and Interior: Panic. These works are embryos of Williams later, famous works – The Glass Menagerie and A Streetcar Named Desire. A single cast presents both works with an intimate staging. Thus, the females in the center of the action. Although marginalized by society, they are complex characters who are survivors.
The Pretty Trap clearly foreshadows The Glass Menagerie. The production employs comedic elements to effectively demonstrate the various ways women navigate life, encompassing aspects such as joy, denial, and hope. One can clearly see the skeleton of William’s later play. The iconic plantation appears in a speech given by Amanda Wingfield, the mother played by Megan Metrikin. As she looks back on a world that never existed Metrikin walks the line between sanity and madness. She consistently maintains her composure and rationality. She has experienced the impact of societal expectations. Chris Ghaffari plays Tom Wingfield. He captures the dreamy, impractical character of Tom. Jacclyn Bethany portrays Laura Wingfield. Bethany clearly shows a woman flitting between hope and fear of the outside world. Although she feels constrained by her mother, she is not entirely harmed. She assertively resists the expectations imposed by her mother and society. Jim Delaney is the gentleman caller. Delaney symbolizes the future, in contrast to the Wingfields who are stuck in the past. Jacob Storms gracefully illuminates this character.
Interior: Panic is clearly the child that became A Streetcar Named Desire. The two sisters, Blanche Shannon and Grace Kiefaber, are close. However, Blanche’s inner thoughts and fears throw strains on this relationship. Jacclyn Bethany show us a woman tormented by the patriarchal demands of society. Bethany clearly delineates this character. Lauren Guglielmello is Grace Kiefaber, the pregnant sister. Guglielmello shows us a loving woman who is beset by her sister’s thoughts and actions. The ionic plantation scene illustrates the difference between the sisters. Grace is making jam. The sweet smell reminds Blanche of the deceased body found on the grounds of the family plantation. Thus, emphasizing the decline of the antebellum South that shaped their upbringing. Blanche has not found anything to replace these values. Sarah Schuler is the bill collector. Her dialogue with Grace feeds into Blanche’s paranoia. Schuler cleverly plays this role as she ignores Blanche’s reactions to her innocuous statements. Chris Ghaffari is Jack Keifaber, the loving husband. Ghaffari makes the husband’s affection and concern clear.
As director, Jaclyn Bethany has made these works come alive. She has illustrated how Williiam’s growth and development of characters. She puts the female characters in front as complex characters with emotional depth. Watching these two plays offers insight into Tennessee Williams’ growth. Anyone interested in seeing a brilliant production of a beginning playwright’s works should visit OUTRAGED HEARTS – The Pretty Trap and Interior: Panic.
Pep, Messi, and Me and The Fun-er-al: Or an Ode to Christopher Durang – Royal Family Production
Royal Family Productions is offering a quick fix for theater addicts. They are presenting Lunchtime Theatre – short performances during the day. Thus, one can stop by 145 West 45th Street, view an original work or works with talented actors, and return invigorated to the mundane world.

