On a snowy night, I longed to stay inside and hibernate, but I braved the bad drivers and salt trucks to trek to 1st Stage for John Patrick Shanley’s Italian American Reconciliation. I’m so glad I did, because this was the ultimate theatre-going experience.
With clever direction by Michael Chamberlin, 1st Stage’s production has it all – a knock-out set by JD Madsen you’ve got to see, stylish costumes by LeVonne Lindsay, great music and sound by Derek V. Knoderer, and Lighting Designer Brian S. Allard sets a very enticing mood. I’ve still got “Sway” stuck in my head and have a strange desire to dance the Cha-Cha….
The acting of the talented cast is superb – a slice of life. The well-knit cast of brilliant actors include Matt Dewberry (Huey), Drew Kopas (Aldo), Anne Nottage (Janice), Suzanne Richard (Aunt May), and Dani Stoller (Teresa). Fully‑developed, well lived‑in characters flourish onstage with exciting arguments, emotional journeys (sometimes breakdowns), and thoughtful ponderings on life about men and women, and why people are the way they are. Dewberry has so many poignant moments where his connection and specific memories spring to life as Huey and takes us on a real journey. Kopas brings maximum energy to Aldo’s comical character, he’s smart and cunning and engages the audience from the first moment. Nottage exudes sensuality as Janice and I found myself nervously on the edge of my seat pondering what she’d do next. Richard owns the space as a supportive, wise, funny Aunt May, a real pleasure to watch. Stoller has such a strong emotional connection and expresses Teresa’s plight with such vigor and honesty. I was really impressed by everyone’s honest, real connections to the characters and each other. It was thrilling to experience.
Fully‑developed, well lived‑in characters flourish onstage with exciting arguments, emotional journeys (sometimes breakdowns), and thoughtful ponderings on life about men and women, and why people are the way they are. Can we blame our problems on our fathers, or is it time to take ownership of our own lives? Can we continue in a pattern of despair and denial – or will we confront our issues and move on successfully, restfully, and hopefully – happily?
What works well in this beautifully crafted play was how Shanley’s voice echoes throughout the play, whether it’s through Aunt May’s advice like, “You gotta give up your fear of women as a race,” or as characters make realizations about themselves and their relationships, like Aldo’s, “The only success is to be able to love.”
Drove up from Virginia Beach to see this play. My husband, 2 daughters and I agree it was well worth the snowy trip north. The best play we’ve see in years!!!! Well done!