Always the Best Friend, Never the Groom

I'm a single man going to a wedding this weekend, so it's seemingly ironic that I'd be writing about Significant Other right now, a story about a man who is always the best friend, never the groom. 

Truthfully, I'm thrilled to be writing about it...Joshua Harmon has done it again! Written a magnificently brilliant play, that is. One that's as funny as it is heart-breaking, as relevant as it is heart-touching. Significant Other wraps up the 2015-2016 Actor's Express season, but leaves you wanting more of this fantastic cast!

Significant Other | Actor's Express | Photo by BreeAnne Clowdus

Lee Osorio, born and raised in Georgia, is the star of the show, and I don't use the word "star" lightly...he's brilliant! He plays Jordan (above left), the gay best friend, a role typically relegated to quirky comic relief. Not so in this show. His longing for love is center stage. His happiness for his friends' wedded bliss vs. lonely night after night after wedding after wedding plays out before your eyes, elating and crushing your heart. 

Lee just earned his MFA at Brown University in Rhode Island, but I sincerely hope he'll stay in Georgia and treat Atlanta to his acting brilliance! He's definitely a new favorite of mine.

Diany Rodriguez (Into the Woods, Informed Consent) plays Laura (above right), Jordan's closest and dearest friend. Throughout the play you see the strength of their friendship, but it's in the final act when you see, hear and feel how deep and honest and loving their relationship truly is. 

I would venture to say that true friendship is not without its trials and a few tears, but those can strengthen a friendship to the point of lasting a lifetime. Suffice it to say that you're in for quite an experience when you see Significant Other. Open your heart to a great time.  

Significant Other | Actor's Express | Photo by BreeAnne Clowdus

Cara Mantella, who plays the role of Kiki (above center), is side-splitting hilarious and perhaps one of the most honest characters in the show. You certainly never have to wonder what she's thinking, yet you're continuously laughing out loud at her I-can't-believe-she-said-that comments. She so reminds me of some of my best friends...the ones who always speak their mind! 

Significant Other | Actor's Express | Photo by BreeAnne Clowdus

Edward McCreary (Carousel, Memphis, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike) is one of two actors who performs the roles of three characters: Tony, Will and Conrad (above right)...quite brilliantly, I should add! Edward's roles range from hottie coworker and love interest of Jordan's to fiance-husband of one of Jordan's dear friends. 

Edward is an excellent actor with quite the breadth of skill. I personally think he's most brilliant in the heavier roles, but certainly entertaining in a lighter, playful role...either way, I don't think anyone is going to storm out of the theatre when he bares his chest. 

There is a pair of green gym shoes that practically have their own story arc...keep an eye on them, and their ultimate, hilarious fate.

Significant Other | Actor's Express | Photo by BreeAnne Clowdus

Brittany Inge, who has quite the impressive resume, plays Vanessa (above left), one of Jordan's best friends. She's real, wholly believable and I would guess is somewhat playing herself—she's that convincing. Vanessa is hilarious, fun-loving, and totally, gushingly in love when she unexpectedly meets the right guy.

Significant Other | Actor's Express | Photo by BreeAnne Clowdus

Significant Other is more than a story about a gay best friend who is desperately seeking love, and despite his desperate measures finds that love is frustratingly, seemingly everlastingly evasive. In the end, he's not so desperate that he's going to sacrifice love just to be in a relationship—thank goodness! But his desperation (notice how often I'm using the word desperate?) is his undoing, a time or two.

I've never found desperation to be an attractive quality, but Jordan personifies not only how ridiculous it is, he shows how heart-breaking and real loneliness can be. I've always thought desperate people were out of touch, but I guess in the end they just want what all of us want...to be loved. Their particular methods are just more visible to the world. I judge no more.

Don't get me wrong. This is definitely a romantic-comedy and go into it knowing and expecting that. I'm just saying that in more way than one, Significant Other brings to light the sometimes too long odyssey of yearning for love.  

Significant Other | Actor's Express | Photo by BreeAnne Clowdus

Jeremy Aggers is the other actor who performs the role of three different characters: Evan, Gideon and Roger (above right). I've never seen anyone play a range of fiercely annoying to charmingly smitten the way Jeremy does. Seriously...if the fingernails-on-a-chalkboard laugh doesn't send you running for the exit, his Prince Charming love for Vanessa will definitely keep you in your seat.

I've not seen Jeremy onstage before, but I certainly hope I will again.

Significant Other | Actor's Express | Photo by BreeAnne Clowdus

Judy Leavell, who plays Helene (above right), Jordan's grandmother, is the one character who never gives up hope, who remains steadfast confident that Jordan will find love in his life, even through living with a medication-necessary memory ailment. She's endearing, caring, loving...she will either remind you of your own grandmother or make you wish she was yours.

Now, have a look at a few moments of hilarity that Significant Other is bringing to audiences...



If you saw Bad Jews by Joshua Harmon, then you already have an idea of how brilliant Significant Other is. Bad Jews, which I did not see, but have heard so much about, became a huge hit in New York and was widely produced in America, and it was the highest grossing non-musical play in Actor's Express history! 

Significant Other is Harmon's newest play and wraps up the 2015-2016 Actor's Express season, closing Sunday, June 19. What a magnificent way to finish up the year!

Up next at Actor's Express, Company, winner of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and directed by Freddie Ashley, who said of Significant Other, "Joshua Harmon finds humor in the complexities of contemporary life like no other young writer in American today. I'm thrilled to follow up his play Bad Jews with this fresh, funny, moving comedy."

By the way, just in case you were wondering, I'm grateful that I'm not going to the wedding this weekend alone, but I would have. It's the wedding of one of my dearest, most trusted friends...a beautiful, bright-blue-eyed, lovely woman who I've had the honor and pleasure of calling friend for nearly 30 years. This is going to be a memory-making occasion!

Serenbe Playhouse Re-imagines "Carousel"

Serenbe Playhouse has brought more than a re-imagined 1945 Rodgers & Hammerstein's musical play to sold out audiences, it's staging Carousel AND a full, participatory country fair...all outdoors!

This was my first Serenbe Playhouse performance—definitely not my last—and the third Serenbe Playhouse performance my friend and co-theater-goer Nikki had attended—certainly not her last, either.  

Carousel | Serenbe Playhouse | Photo: BreeAnne Clowdus

Carousel reunites many of Serenbe Playhouse's 2014 Oklahoma! cast members including Kelly Martin as Julie Jordan, Edward McCreary as Billy Bigelow, Jessica Miesel as Carrie, Austin Tijerina as Jigger, Lala Cochran as Mrs. Mullins and Starkeeper, Ally Duncan as Nettie, Brittany Ellis as Louise, Nathan Lubeck as Carnival Boy...and many other incredibly talented actors—this show has a large cast!

It was exciting to see some of my favorite Atlanta actors in the show—Lala Cochran, Edward McCreary and Austin Tijerina—each of whom I've seen in other shows over the last couple of years.

Lala plays a more serious character from what I've seen her play before and acts unrequited love emotional and heartfelt; Edward plays a wholly conflicted character and is as sexy as ever; and Austin plays a zero-morals-bad-guy all too convincingly, but still a favorite character. I'm constantly blown away by the magnitude of talent we have in the Atlanta area! 

Carousel | Serenbe Playhouse | Photo: BreeAnne Clowdus

Others whose performances I've enjoyed previously include lead actress Kelly Chapin Martin (Julie Jordan), who plays mutual love interest—and more—to "Barker" Billy Bigelow; and Daniel Burns (Enoch Snow) who plays the love interest of Julie's best friend, Carrie.

I refuse to pick favorites from this cast—they're all stellar—but I will share that I thoroughly enjoyed the singing talents of Kelly Chapin Martin and Jessica Miesel (Carrie), who sing quite differently, but are strong and harmonious, wholly delightful on the ear...I could listen to both with "replay song" on for weeks! 

Carousel | Serenbe Playhouse | Photo: BreeAnne Clowdus

Arrive early! One hour before the show, for your like-a-kid enjoyment there's a country fair, with a 47-foot Ferris wheel and a 16-seat carousel, both of which are this musical's backdrop, along with tent lights and the evening stars. The few planes flying over, which I didn't even hear, were likened to shooting stars. 

Also at the fair are games, cotton candy and other goodies, a high-striker (Show off your strength, if you can lift the giant mallet!) a full bar and turn-of-the-century carnival characters, from the show, interacting with guests!  

Carousel | Serenbe Playhouse | Photo: BreeAnne Clowdus

If you've never been to Serenbe Playhouse, I encourage you to know what you're getting into, in addition to theatrical splendor, that is.

All of Serenbe Playhouse's shows are outdoors, rain or shine, and they're site specific, and at some of the shows you even walk within the site! Be sure to familiarize yourself with each show's specific details, and give yourself plenty to time to find the site of the show you're attending. [10 Things to Know]

Carousel | Serenbe Playhouse | Photo: BreeAnne Clowdus

The music at Carousel is performed live, from just behind the carousel! I'd seen Carousel many, many, many years ago, and recognized almost every song from the second act. You too probably know more Rodgers & Hammerstein's music than you realize, but when was the last time you saw any of it performed at a live country fair?

While I've written here about the acting, singing and setting, the story is quite a remarkable one. It was Rodgers & Hammerstein's second musical play. Some elements speak to another time, some are timeless, all are touching.

Oh, and you get to partake in the country fair's offerings again during the generous intermission! It's a full evening, and I think you're going to enjoy every minute of it!

Carousel | Serenbe Playhouse | Photo: BreeAnne Clowdus

I've been to the Serenbe community near Chattahoochee Hills, Georgia—not too far outside of Atlanta—many times, primarily for Les Dames d'Escoffier International-Atlanta Chapter's annual "Afternoon in the Country" event. I'm grateful to Serenbe Playhouse for treating me to my first Serenbe performing arts event!

I don't have to predict how spectacularly this Carousel run will do...the many sold-out performances speak for themselves. But if you need a push or nudge toward whether or not to go, I say to first get your tickets—well before the show closes on April 10—then check out their Facebook page for some production photos and other fun content. 

Then...get yourself to the fair AND see one of the best shows of the season!

Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike...and more!

My second visit to Aurora Theatre totally reinforced my original opinion of the venue. It's fantastic! This time I went to see Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, a co-production with Horizon Theatre. This story showcases brilliant writing and the acting is superb! You will find yourself experiencing a wide range of emotion...laughter, sentiment, introspection, but mostly laughter.

Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike | Aurora Theatre

Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike is running at Aurora Theatre, finishing on Sunday, October 25, so you have a whole week to see this magnificent play!

Why should you see Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike? The description on the Aurora Theatre website says it best, and succinctly: 

"Melancholy turns into mayhem when Vanya and his sister, Sonia—along with their clairvoyant housekeeper, Cassandra—are paid a surprise visit by their movie star sibling, Masha, and her boy-toy, Spike. This zany new comedy that took Broadway by storm in 2013 borrows characters and themes from Chekhov, pours them into a blender and mixes them up–and the results are an utterly hilarious and occasionally touching story of regret, sibling rivalry, and growing older."

This was my second time seeing the show, and I'd see it again in a heartbeat! 

One of my favorite scenes in the play was William S. Murphey's (Vanya) tirade contrasting his generation (closer to my own) against that of today's generation (Millennials). It was moving in so many ways, and while I cherish my childhood memories, I don't think younger generations are all that different from any preceding generation. Every generation is different...it'd be naive to think otherwise. But nostalgia can be great fun.

Tess Malis Kincaid (Masha) was by far the most transformed personality in the play. She left home to pursue an acting career and returns with Spike, and a totally self-centered plan for a costume party! But as they say, things change. Then there's Masha's nemesis Cassandra, performed by Denise Arribas, who is definitely the more animated personalities on stage...you're going to laugh so hard!

The icing on the cake on this particular visit to Aurora Theatre was getting to meet so many of the cast after the show. We thoroughly enjoyed talking with Lala Cochran (Sonia) and Edward McCreary (Spike). 

LaLa is just as hilarious in real life as she is on stage. We enjoyed quite a few laughs and she was anxious to hear what we thought about the performance...we raved, of course. When we told Edward that that evening was the third time we've seen him perform (Memphis), he was cheerful and grateful. I love it when stars make time to enthusiastically speak with true fans.

Five of the six actors also performed in the Horizon Theatre show. In the Aurora Theatre production, India Sada Tyree performed the role of Nina, the visiting from out-of-town neighbor who catches Spike's eye. It turns out that Barry, my best friend who went with me, and India are both from Virginia and both went to Old Dominion University! India is an apprentice with Aurora and I wish her great success!

If you think this sounds like an awesome play, and it is, then start to ponder the drive to Lawrenceville, consider this...     

Atlanta Magazine recently published an interview with restaurateur Ryan Pernice, who owns and operates two restaurants in Roswell, just outside of Atlanta. While he's speaking to Metro Atlanta's dining experiences, I'm in full agreement with him as it applies to being a tourist, local or visiting: "you’re missing out if you stay in your zip code."

I spend a lot of time ITP (inside the perimeter, the perimeter being Interstate 285), but I love that I've had so many wonderful experiences by venturing OTP. Yes, yes...we Atlantans have too long made the "gotta get my passport stamped" joke about going OTP. I say it's time to give it a rest and go experience ALL that Metro Atlanta has to offer, which is a LOT, including one of my new favorite theatres, Aurora Theatre.

Aurora Theatre, Gwinnett County's only professional theater, is two shows into its 31st season, and from personal experience they know what they're doing...they know how to make theater-going a wonderful experience, and their 2015-2016 season lineup is spectacular, too.

Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike | Aurora Theatre

When you get your tickets, if you have time to explore Lawrenceville, Aurora Theatre has some excellent recommendations. We had dinner before the last two shows we've seen at Aurora. The first time we went to Dominick's Italian and on this past visit we dined at La Cazeula where I had some of the BEST Mexican food I've had in ages! I recommend the Alambre! And a margarita, of course.

Get your tickets now to see Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike at Aurora Theatre before it's gone! This 2013 Broadway hit promises to delight, but it finishes Sunday, October 25. 


BONUS: You'll find a "Working Out With Spike" video series on Aurora Theatre's You Tube channel. Click the below to start watching...

Hockadoo! MEMPHIS is in Georgia!

"Hockadoo!"

That was Huey Calhoun's calling card, invented during his debut as a radio disc jockey. Refusing to listen to society's, "That can't be done!", Huey enthusiastically brings 'Rock-n-Roll of the South' to white listening audiences, and eventually television. And he falls in love.

MEMPHIS: The Musical | Aurora Theatre

MEMPHIS: The Musical is on stage at Aurora Theatre now through August 30, 2015. I'd been wanting to experience Aurora Theatre for a few years and what a magnificent performance for my debut in their audience. If you've not been, make time to see MEMPHIS and enjoy the fantastic Aurora, celebrating their 20th season!

MEMPHIS: The Musical | Aurora Theatre

The wonderfulness of this performance, of a show that's a four Tony Award-winning musical, is exponential from curtain to close that a singular writing cannot express. It's without doubt a must-see, must-experience show.

I will share, with enthusiastic applause, that Suzi Bass Award-nominee Naima Carter Russell (Felicia) is magnificent! Her performance transports you to another time, to another place, on a melody that will float your soul. This is her fourth show at Aurora Theatre and I hope she's back for many, many more!

There are so many incredible actors/singers in this show whose performance I thoroughly enjoyed. They collectively bring to the stage a Broadway-caliber performance. Allow me to name a few: Eric Moore (Bobby) has perhaps the most electrifying voice on stage—beyond brilliant, as an actor and singer! Cecile E. Washington, Jr. (Delray Jones) was incredibly convincing as his character—highly impressed! Eugene H. Russell IV, I feel like I've seen him perform before, yet this was the most delightfully surprising character—what a voice! Megan McFarland, (Gladys) who also I feel like I've seen perform before, is brilliant—so convincing that you don't like her character until the end! Xylina Stamper was my favorite (they're all magnificent) in the ensemble...enthusiastic and believable. Oh, and Edward McCreary, who I recently saw in another play not long ago, is also awesome.

MEMPHIS: The Musical | Aurora Theatre

Have you ever known an egosurfer? Someone who Google's themselves...Google's their name to see if they're on the Internet? Perhaps that was an early Internet term, but yes, I've been guilty of it myself. The results are much more rewarding when I couple my name with "wanderlust ATLANTA". Ego-surfing can be great fun! Just sayin'.

But the reason I mention this is because—and this was after I already had tickets—I learned just before the show that the leading man's name is Travis! Travis Smith. What I didn't expect was that the character, DJ Huey Calhoun, felt like one of your most endeared friends even before intermission. I was so caught up in everyone's performance, I didn't want an intermission. Don't you love it when brilliant acting and hip-swaying singing wholly engulfs your attention?

MEMPHIS: The Musical | Aurora Theatre

A co-production with Theatrical Outfit, the Tony Award-winning (2010, Best Musical) MEMPHIS: The Musical is running at Aurora Theatre through August 30, 2015. There will be a one-week break between performances, but do visit Aurora Theatre!

Here's another great reason to see it at Aurora. I went with my best friend Barry and we met in Lawrenceville before the show. It was the first time in downtown Lawrenceville for both of us. What a quaint and charming town! We'd planned on grabbing a bite before the show and did we ever pick the right place!

Barry was texting local friends for restaurant recommendations and I was checking out the storefronts (I totally want to go back to visit the comic book store Galactic Quest) with a grumbling belly. We went in one place that we quickly decided was too loud for catching-up conversation and went instead to Dominick's. Their tagline—Little Italy. Lotta Food.—is an absolute truth! I wholeheartedly recommend them for your dinner-and-a-show excursion!

Quickly, speaking of food, when I was in Memphis, Tennessee, many years ago, another friend and I went to the legendary Charles Vergos' Rendezvous Charcoal Ribs for some of the best BBQ I've ever had. We ordered a few slabs via mail-order not too long after we returned home. Yes...it was that good! I wish I'd experience the contemporary music scene in Memphis, but alas, that's something to look forward to. In the meantime, there's MEMPHIS: The Musical!

So that you see what an amazing treat you're in store for, here's a clip of the Broadway cast of MEMPHIS: The Musical at the 2010 Tony Awards:




I want to offer a heartfelt "Thank you" to BRAVE Public Relations for the tickets (Chelsea is awesome!) and to Aurora Theatre for the incredible hospitality (especially Jennifer, who looks remarkably like Jeri Ryan), even though they didn't know I would be writing about the experience. You guys rock!
Go see MEMPHIS: The Musical at Aurora Theatre by August 30...you're going to love it!
Keeping it real: While the complimentary tickets are greatly appreciated, all opinions are my own...I will not write about anything I don't enjoy. THIS show I wholeheartedly enjoyed!

Finding "home", but first...a reverse striptease!

The Tony Award-winning VANYA and SONIA and MASHA and SPIKE is a heartwarming story, with a generous amount of humor, of realizing how precious family is, and it's a story about finding the comfort and security of "home". 

But before the characters relax into this realization, there's a reverse striptease!

VANYA and SONIA and MASHA and SPIKE, Horizon Theatre

VANYA and SONIA and MASHA and SPIKE, now playing at Horizon Theatre, a co-production with Aurora Theatre, is somewhat based on the themes and characters written by the great Russian humorist Anton Chekhov. To be honest here, I'm not all that familiar with Chekhov, but I totally connected with the story on stage, particularly recognizing what I've read of Chekhov's sense of the ridiculous.

This is a story of two middle-aged siblings—Vanya (who remarkably reminds me of my brother who lives in Miami) and Sonia—living in their Pennsylvanian family home, and their estranged sister Masha who travels the world as a rather disconnected flamboyant movie star. The story gets twistingly hilarious when Masha returns home with boy toy Spike, who spends a fair amount of time on stage bare-chested.

VANYA and SONIA and MASHA and SPIKE, Horizon Theatre

When reunited, the siblings butt heads and, later on, come face-to-face with some tough decisions. With a costume party thrown into the mix, this laugh-out-loud comedy explores love, relationships, friendship, sibling rivalry and a little of the supernatural, but perhaps that's just brilliant insight of the family housekeeper...I'll leave that to you to discern.

We first learn of Vanya (portrayed by William S. Murphey) and Sonia's (portrayed by Lala Chocran) isolated, and rather complicated, existence and are then quickly introduced to the uproariously animated clairvoyant Cassandra (wonderfully portrayed by Denise Arribas). Her foreshadowing channeling isn't immediately nor abundantly exact, but contributes brilliantly and colorfully to the story.  

VANYA and SONIA and MASHA and SPIKE, Horizon Theatre

We're later introduced to Spike (portrayed by Edward McCreary), who can't seem keep his shirt on—not that anyone was complaining—who shortly introduces us to an out-of-town, aspiring actress Nina (portrayed by Danielle Deadwyler), who makes Masha (portrayed by Tess Malis Kincaid) insanely—almost literally—jealous.

The reverse striptease is as much a surprise to the other characters as it is to the audience, and received with puzzling looks and laughter, respectively. That's all I'm going to tell you about that...you'll just have to see it for yourself. I find myself laughing as I write this...there's a lot of "clever" weaved into this play. 

If you can, imagine the drama of family, jealousy, sibling rivalry, and a totally ripped boyfriend, all coupled with Snow White, a couple of dwarfs and a princess...you too are going to love and laugh with this show! And, not to spoil the ending, but there's a twist that some will consider a happy ending. Again, you decide.

VANYA and SONIA and MASHA and SPIKE, Horizon Theatre

Typically when I see a show, an actor or two will stand out as a personal favorites, but this cast performs so incredibly well together that I really can't identify a "favorite". 

Denise—Cassandra the clairvoyant—made me laugh-out-loud the most...she's truly brilliant! Edward—Spike the shirtless boy toy—was incredibly convincing as a naive, life-loving jock, but having the opportunity to meet the actors after the show (love that!), you realize just how brilliant these actors are, and that they're totally acting their characters.




Recently the most-produced play in America, VANYA and SONIA and MASHA and SPIKE is a must-see. You have through June 28, 2015, to get to Horizon Theatre in Little Five Points to see this remarkable, humorous, heart-touching play. Don't miss it!