Art, Love, & Politics: A Jimmy & Lorraine Review

HeartBeat Ensemble offers us a peek, even if only by way of musings, into the lives of James Baldwin and Lorraine Hansberry in Jimmy & Lorraine. The convergence of art, love, and politics is a camp fire by which Black revolutionaries sat in the company of other brilliant, bar-raising, freedom-fighting, creative spirits. We honor their contributions and all of their sacrifices in the fight that should not have been— in their tenacity in keeping the baton of the struggle for longer than anyone should ever have to embody the vitriol of vehement and baseless rejection. We’ve gone as far as romanticizing the fight, given its own resilience. But, Jimmy & Lorraine romanticizes the sacrificial lives of two of Black History’s own in a new way. This production imagines what the love and camaraderie between these two civil rights visionaries could have been in a visual salve that attempts to heal the wounds created by the relentless battles they fought for a better America.

Theater ReviewKimolee ErynOctober 21, 2024Theater review, Theater, Jimmy & Lorraine, HartBeat EnsembleComment

Unserious: A Pride and Prejudice Review

Hertfordshire descends upon Hartford in this rendition of Kate Hamill’s adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic Pride and Prejudice put on by The Hartford Stage. The Regency receives a breathtaking reimagining in this production, fusing the old-world charm of a 1700s parlor with the vibrant Spanish-style decor of this "radical adaptation." Director Tatyana-Marie Carlo’s vision is a theatrical delight as she fortifies Austen’s place among the greats, confirming that the relevance of Pride and Prejudice goes beyond the propriety of the era in which it was first penned— it transcends tradition.

The Shadows: The Red Shoes Ballet Review

Hope is a waking dream, but every light casts a shadow. The New England ballet Theatre’s production of The Red Shoes at the Aetna Theatre at the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art narrates a tale of ambition and obsession, as a ballerina grapples with the shadows that follow her relentless pursuit to replace the fallen Étoile, all while being consumed by her irresistible craving for a sinister pair of blood-red ballet shoes. Gnatowski's vision astoundingly captures the tragic essence of desire and sacrifice, making The Red Shoes a remarkable success that delves into the depths of the human psyche and artistic devotion.

Ballet ReviewKimolee ErynOctober 22, 2023ballet, Theater, ballet review, the Wadsworth atheneum, New England ballet theatreComment

Cartoon Humor: A Rumors Review

Who needs enemies when you have a group of friends like that of Charlie and Myra Brock? Neil Simon’s “Rumors,” directed by Rob Esposito, shakes up Shelton, Connecticut's Center Stage Theatre. This uproarious production delves into the chaos and intrigue of an anniversary dinner party that quickly spirals out of control. In a world where the lives of the upper-class are examined through a lens of comedy, "Rumors" successfully reveals the double-edged nature of close friendships, where your nearest allies can become your fiercest foes.

Theater ReviewKimolee ErynOctober 21, 2023Theater review, Theater, Center Stage TheatreComment

Helloooo: A Mrs. Doubtfire Review

The things we love change and the way we love them inevitably changes too— whether it’s our family structures or the lead of a production we hold dear, there’s room to let in the new.

Theater ReviewKimolee ErynOctober 6, 2023Theater, The Bushnell, Mrs.Doubtfire, musicalComment

Broken Promises. Empty Dreams. The 12 Review

The story of Jesus is a tale-as-old-as-time and it’s easy to lose the message of the cross and to relegate it to religion and or historical politics. The 12, ultimately refocuses that crucifixion story in a way that reminds us all what the purpose of the sacrifice was from the start —us.

Theater ReviewKimolee ErynOctober 6, 2023The 12, Goodspeed, Theater, Theater review, musicalComment

For the Love: A Review of The Complete Works of Jane Austen

The classics became classics at a time long before we had a say in what we liked. Much of what circulates in the literary world was forced on us in high school classrooms before the themes could take proper root in our lives— that includes the works of Jane Austen.

Theater ReviewKimolee ErynOctober 6, 2023Playhouse on Park, Jane Austen, Theater, Theater reviewComment

Pa'lante: A Viva Broadway Review

Representation of Hispanic and Latine culture in the arts is a labor of love, according to Caraballo, one that she and the rest of the team gladly take on. Viva Broadway asks questions that can only be answered by time and progress. Among those questions are, what can the stories of Hispanic and Latine culture add to the culture of theater that Hispanic and Latine people can’t deliver themselves?

Theater ReviewKimolee ErynOctober 5, 2023Theater review, Theater, Seven Angels Theater, Viva Broadway, Musical RevueComment

Grease Trap Confessions: A Clyde’s Review

The recurrence of the perfect sandwich discussion, amid their respective and communal trials, is like a trick candle, reigniting each time we think their hope has been put out. The war between their “we leave the pain in the pan” and Clyde’s “don’t get too high on hope” resonates with us all.

You can catch a showing of Clyde’s at Theaterworks Hartford , extended through August 5th.

Theater ReviewKimolee ErynJuly 27, 2023theaterworks, Theater review, Theater, Clyde'sComment

A Few Good Men - A Bandstand Review

Bandstand shouts the boys are back in town. The progression of camaraderie through sadness and terror, the timely funny moments popping up again and again makes us feel like we are part of the show. This feel-good story is our hope for all of our soldiers that come back home, that there’s friendship, joy, and love to be found in their second act— despite what we know to be true.

Theater ReviewKimolee ErynJuly 27, 2023Playhouse on Park, Theater review, Theater, musical, BandstandComment

Webster's Bitch

Ellie was the voice we all have in our heads; the desire for freedom when what we need to maintain a sense of stability is for our professionalism to beat away the imposter syndrome. The dynamic between the visiting Ellie and her sister, Gwen, play on the very real spar we all have with our work-life balance.

Theater ReviewKimolee ErynJune 5, 2023Play, Review, Theater, Playhouse on ParkComment