Capital Fringe Scene Stealers #1-July 18, 2014

Here are our first list of honorees for DCMetroTheaterArts ‘Best Scene Stealers of  the 2014 Capital Fringe Festival’
______
 Devin Gaither, as Joey, in Rock Bottom [A Rock Opus] Reacting to Blood Orphans Being Dropped
Rob Bradley, Greg Bowen, and Devin Gaither in 'Rock Bottom.' Photo by Amanda Williams Photography.
Rob Bradley, Greg Bowen, and Devin Gaither in ‘Rock Bottom.’ Photo by Amanda Williams Photography.
“Blood Orphans’ band manager is Joey, and as played terrifically by Devin Gaither, she’s one foxy, feisty boss lady. Gaither pretty much steals every scene she’s in, so canny and captivating is her performance. No wonder this lost-boy band has followed her lead…until now, when their career is in a nosedive and the band is coming apart. In a scene near the end called ‘The Last Supper’ Joey tries valiantly to rally them: “Warner’s dropped Blood Orphans today…. I want you to know I’m going to fight it. With all my heart and soul I’m going to fight to keep Blood Orphans on the Warner roster. We will prevail. We will prevail.” Her speech does not inspire them; they all roll over and give up. Gaither’s stunningly charismatic determination makes their inertia look like an epic fail.”  John Stoltenberg
______
Michelle Hall-Norvell, as Maat, Welcomes Osiris in Isis and Vesco Investigate the Curious Death of Dr. Freud
Michelle Hall-Norvell (Maat). Photo by Darian Glover.
Michelle Hall-Norvell (Maat). Photo by Darian Glover.
“Michelle Hall-Norvell steals the show the moment she walks onstage in an iridescent cape and a DC power suit to welcome Osiris. I couldn’t help thinking she belongs on the main stage of the Kennedy Center on on a hill in front of a conquering army. Her larger-than-life presence and the dead seriousness with which she delivers her speech is both impressive and hilarious.” Jessica Vaughan.
_______
 Anna Jackson, as Kate, in Giant Box of Porn Looking Online.
Anna Jackson.
Anna Jackson.
“A young married couple—Ron (Grant Cloyd), and Kate (Anna Jackson)—are trying to figure out how the giant box of porn got into their apartment and why. Kate, freaking out, decides to try looking online. But all the search terms she comes up with, starting with “giant box of porn,” return exactly the opposite kind of results she wanted. The look of appalled astonishment on Jackson’s face in the process is priceless. Their pressing problem, Kate realizes as the laughter mounts, is “not Googleable.” In this scene as in others, Jackson shows she is surely one of the finest comic actors on the DC theater scene.”  John Stoltenberg
______
Dash King, as Steven, Delivering a Monologue at the HomoMonument in The Other Day 
Dash King.
Dash King.
“About an hour into The Other Day as performed at The Shop, a Dutch airport clerk named Steven (played by a very dashing Dash King), shows a young American named Mark (a puppy-dog-sweet Matthew Williamson) around Amsterdam until Mark’s lost suitcase can be found. The luggage contains the ashes of Mark’s dead lover, Santo. Steven takes Mark to the HomoMonument, where Steven has a poignant monologue about his dead husband Marcello that King delivers with such simplicity and such sorrow that it not only stole the scene; it stole the whole show. Because just then everything that the play seemed longing to say about love and loss was contained in King’s singular performance.” John Stoltenberg
_____
Karen Lange, as Karen, Singing “Tears in Heaven” in Cabaret XXX: Everybody F*cking Dies
Karen Lange.
Karen Lange.
‘Karen Lange, who has played Karen in years past but now plays her Bostonian friend, has an exceptional voice, and always get the audience involved in the show. Her rendition of Eric Clapton’s “Tears in Heaven,” where she dips down to the very bottom of her range, is spectacular.” Brennan Jones.
______
 TD Smith For His 10-Minute Monologue in Ten Principles )’(‘ 
TD Smith. Photo by ClintonBPhotography
TD Smith. Photo by ClintonBPhotography
“His monologue is mesmerizing and soulful: a broken individual’s quest for a community. TD remembers the sense of artistic accomplishment he used to get from building theatre sets. “Theatres are truly magical places” he declares. I have rarely seen as much magic in a theatre as I did during his singular story.” Vanessa Terzaghi
______
James Whalen, as Barry, delivering the Opening Monologue in Bethesda
James Whalen.
James Whalen.

“Whalen opens the play – sitting in boxers and a t-shirt reading the Washington Post. He plays a disgraced diplomat Barry who is sent home to Bethesda and starts the play working from home when his new boss calls. The one-sided conversation is a joy to watch and an impressive feat to pull off as we get the gist of a complete conversation and exactly what he thinks about the whole situation. It is a character study in microcosm and a high point I’m a generally fabulous play.” Jessica Vaughan

______

Doug Wilder singing “Alone in the Apartment” in You, or Whatever I Can Get
L to R: Vaughn M. Irving  and Doug Wilder.
L to R: Vaughn M. Irving and Doug Wilder.
“Doug Wilder’s performance is absolutely hysterical. He gives a full-bodied performance, in such a specific way that the audience knows exactly how his character feels before he opens his mouth to sing. His vocals are strong throughout the show, with his performance of “Alone in the Apartment” standing out as a wonderful moment for him, both in terms of comedic timing and vocals. His choreographed Wii remote dance in “It’s Not That Bad” is a standout moment of the show, for sure.” Rick Westerkamp
______
FRINGE DCMTA 200X200 2014
Read DCMetroTheaterArts’ Fringe Reviews and Previews.
Previous articleWildwood Summer Theatre Presents ‘Into the Woods’ Tonight Through July 26th by Kristina Moyer
Next articleCapital Fringe 2014 Review: ‘Killer Quack’
Joel Markowitz
Joel Markowitz is the Publisher and Editor of DCMetroTheaterArts. He founded the site with his brother Bruce to help promote the vast riches of theatre and the arts in the DC Metro area that includes Maryland, Virginia, and DC theater and music venues, universities, schools, Children's theaters, professional, and community theatres. Joel is an advocate for promoting the 'stars of the future' in his popular 'Scene Stealers' articles. He wrote a column for 5 years called ‘Theatre Schmooze’ and recorded podcast interviews for DC Theatre Scene. His work can also be seen and read on BroadwayStars. Joel also wrote a monthly preview of what was about to open in DC area theatres for BroadwayWorld. He is an avid film and theater goer, and a suffering Buffalo Bills and Sabres fan. Joel was a regular guest on 'The Lunch and Judy Show' radio program starring Judy Stadt in NYC. Joel founded The Ushers Theatre Going Group in the DC area in 1990, which had a 25-year run when it took its final curtain call last year. Joel is a proud member of The American Critics Association.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here