Here are our new group of Scene Stealers. Congrats to all our honorees!
______
Linda Baird as Lucia Singing “Time Stood Still” and “Invisible” in Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown at American University
“Señora Linda Bard does an excellent job as Lucia, combining an authentic sounding Spanish accent with masterful vocals. Bard is especially great in the poignant numbers, “Time Stood Still” and “Invisible.”-Douglas Lloyd
______
Terry Barr as Snoopy Singing “Suppertime” and Gliding through “Book Report” in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown at Reston Community Players
“Terry Barr proved himself a scene stealer, not once, but twice, in Reston Community Players’ You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. In “Suppertime,” Terry Barr’s effortless tap dancing, strong vocals, and sassy personification of Snoopy literally stopped the show. His second scene stealing moment comes in the middle of “Book Report” — a fine vocal performance by the entire ensemble — when he roller blades through the action chasing rabbits with Sally (Nina Jankowicz). Barr’s utter joy in being a dog — and his fancy tricks on roller blades — completely steals that scene.-Diane Jackson Schnoor
______
Timoth David Copney’s (Andre) and Kevin Sockwell (Ken) Singing “Ladies Who Sing With the Band,” in Ain’t Misbehavin‘ at The Vagabond Players
I saw a lot of Sammy Davis Jr, in Timoth David Copney’s (Andre) energy and dancing and personality on the stage. He is an entertainer’s entertainer. He can do it all – dance, sing, and grab an audience in the palm of his hands – and when he is joined by Kevin Sockwell (with the gorgeous baritone and killer smile)- in “Ladies Who Sing With the Band,” and when they both get down and greasy, (where they got the audience to shout out ‘Fat and Greasy’ along with them), they play off each other like Hines Brothers. Together in these joint-performances they are pure magic!”-Joel Markowitz
______
Ghislaine “Gigi” Dwarka in “A Nite with Beau Willie Brown” in For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf at Laurel Mill Playhouse
“Finally, we have Ghislaine “Gigi” Dwarka as the aptly name Lady in Red. Dwarka gives several fantastic readings, but she is superb in her heart wrenching portrayal of a woman struggling with a man suffering with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and caring for her two young children in the scene “A Nite with Beau Willie Brown.” The climactic ending of this monologue quite literally took my breath away. Dwarka’s stunning portrayal is definitive scene stealing moment of the evening.”-Anne Vandercook
______
Andre Hinds Dancing in Memphis at Toby’s Dinner Theatre of Columbia
“Among the fine dance ensemble, one particular dancer upstaged the fabulous sassy singing in Memphis – The Musical last Saturday evening at Toby’s Dinner Theatre in Columbia. Maryland native, Andre Hinds, first caught my attention in La Cage aux Folles at Toby’s and at Anne Arundel College where he starred in his college dance program and earned his degree in dance. He has a long list of credits in the Memphis program and a smile to die for.
This tall, lanky guy stood out (a definite scene stealer) in at least three razzle-dazzle numbers, choreographed by Christen Svingos. Now that doesn’t take anything away from Ashley Lauren Johnson (who played the lead role of Felicia, the woman who melts our hearts in her vocal solos on “Someday” and “Love Will Stand (When All Else Falls).” Still when the entire cast (and they are all good) comes together for “Everybody Wants to Be Black on a Saturday Night” or “Music of My Soul” or “Tear Down the House,” you can’t miss Hinds smooth moves and acrobatic wonders. I wanted to pay attention to the story and listen to the lyrics by Joe Dipietro, sweetly arranged and played by Musical Director Ross Scott Rawlings, but my eye kept following that one special dancer who popped out of the crowd.”-Carolyn Kelemen
______
Bridget Linsenmeyer as Janet Singing ” “Touch-A, Touch Me” in The Rocky Horror Show at Spotlighters
“Bridget Linsenmeyer, as Janet, really shines in the second act. Her version of “Touch-A, Touch Me” is a gem in a production full of them. Another one of the show’s great voices, Linsenmeyer is allowed to show the full range of her vocal talents and dance moves in the second half of the show.” Winters Geimer.
______
Dawn Thomas Reidy, as Allison, and Scott Strasbaugh, as Danny, Have it ‘Maid’ Until Lois Sanders-Vincent, as Danny’s Mom Sheila, Walks in and, “Oh mon Dieu!” in Danny Boy at Unexpected Stage Company
“For her part, Alison (Dawn Thomas Reidy) displays a flexibility of mind and body that alternately puts Danny (Scott Strasbaugh) at ease, and sets him on fire. Reidy excels in the physical comedy; her X-rated French maid, complete with silky black lace-trimmed micro-miniskirt and feathery dust mop (Alison’s role-playing fetish is something Danny feels he must learn to accept; but at what cost?) is uproariously funny. Of course, Mom (Lois Sanders-DeVincent)- who—of course—keeps a spare key-walks right in . . . at an “opportune” moment, Alison having gone to change back into street clothes. Why in the world, she wants to know upon her return, would Danny want to go to a Dwarf convention when he has such a gorgeous, “normal” girlfriend?”-Leslie Weisman
Paata Tsikurishvili as Dr. Moreau Miming Serial Assaults on Deformed Creatures He Had Created in The Island of Dr. Moreau at Synetic Theater
In Synectic Theater’s high-joltage staging of The Island of Dr. Moreau, there are such startling feats of fight choreography and mock gore that I literally jumped in my seat about a dozen times. (I don’t consider myself particularly faint of heart; it was just bloody well done.) But nothing had me so transfixed as when Paata Tsikurishvili as the eponymous mad scientist mimes serial assaults on the deformed creatures he has created. There is no body contact whatever; there is only Tsikurishvili’s exquisitely skilled mimed bludgeoning and skewering and the creature-dancers’ propulsive recoil from the impact of his cruel attacks. But it is Tsikurishvili’s awesome mime that owns the scene. That it all takes place by suggestion, as if in mid-air, makes the feigned macabre violence all the more disturbing–because by imagining it we participate in it. —John Stoltenberg
______
Allison Verhofstadt as Julie Jordan and Hasani Allen, as Billy Bigelow, Sing “If I Loved You” and Hasani Allen sings “Soliloquy” in Carousel at Catholic University.
“[Carousel] follows the tragic marriage of Julie and Billy (Allison Verhofstadt and Hasani Allen). They are well matched – both have strong voices and great stage presence particularly on the iconic duet “If I loved You.” Allen walks the line between charisma and drama well. His “Soliloquy” is a masterpiece”-Jessica Vaughan.
______
Garrett Zink, as Frank, Singing “Sweet Transvestote’ at The Rocky Horror Show at Spotlighters.
“In “Sweet Transvestite,” Frank, the villain or perhaps tragic anti-hero, makes his first appearance. Garrett Zink’s performance as Frank is an extraordinary tribute to Tim Curry, who originated the role. Garrett Zink’s facial expressions are the highlight of his performance. His eyebrows are capable of eliciting visceral audience reactions without so much as a word of dialogue.”-Winters Geimer.
LINKS
Meet the Cast of ‘Danny Boy’ at Unexpected Stage Company: Part 1: Meet Scott J. Strasbaugh.
Meet the Cast of ‘Danny Boy’ at Unexpected Stage Company: Part 2: Meet Justus Hammond.
Meet the Cast of ‘Danny Boy’ at Unexpected Stage Company: Part 3: Meet Briana Manente.
Meet the Cast of ‘Danny Boy’ at Unexpected Stage Company: Part 4: Meet Lois Sanders-DiVincent.
Meet the Cast of ‘Danny Boy’ at Unexpected Stage Company: Part 5: Meet Zach Brewster-Geisz.
Meet the Cast of ‘Danny Boy’ at Unexpected Stage Company: Part 6: Meet Dawn Thomas Reidy.
Top Scene Stealers of the Week Ending 10/12/14.
Top Scene Stealers of the Week-Week Ending 9/28/14.
Top Scene Stealers of the Week-Week Ending 9/18/14.
Top Scene Stealers of the Week-Week Ending 9/11/14.
Top Scene Stealers of the Week-Week Ending 9/1/14.
Top Scene Stealers of the Week-Week Ending 8/24/14.
Top Scene Stealers of the Week-Week Ending 8/17/14.
Top Scene Stealers of the Week-Week Ending 8/9/14.
Top Scene Stealers of the Week-Week Ending 8/2/14.
Top Scene Stealers of the Week-Week Ending 7/5/14.
Top Scene Stealers of the Week- Week Ending 6/28/14.
Top Scene Stealers of the Week-Week Ending 6/21/14.
Top Scene Stealers of the Week-Week Ending 6/13/14.
Top Scene Stealers of the Week-Week Ending 6/06/14.
Top Scene Stealers of the Week-Week Ending 5/29/14.
Top Scene Stealers of the Week-Week Ending 5/22/14.
Capital Fringe Scene Stealers Part 1 and Part 2.
Meet the Cast of ‘Carousel’ at Catholic University: Part 1: Meet Philip da Costa.
Meet the Cast of ‘Carousel’ at Catholic University: Part 2: Meet Luke Garrison.
Meet the Cast of ‘Carousel’ at Catholic University: Part 3: Meet Harrison Smith.
Meet the Cast of ‘Carousel’ at Catholic University: Part 4: Meet Catherine Purcell.
Meet the Cast of ‘Carousel’ at Catholic University: Part 5: Meet Hasani Allen.
Meet the Cast of ‘Carousel’ at Catholic University: Part 6: Meet Mary Efimetz.
