THE BOYS NEXT DOOR (2nd Story Theatre, Warren, RI)

October 1, 2017October 9, 2017 michaelhoban2 Comments

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

2nd Story Theatre’s opening show of their season is “The Boys Next Door” by Rhode Island native, Tom Griffin. It is a funny and touching play about four mentally handicapped men living in a communal residence under the guidance and watchful eye of a caring but burnt out social worker. The story is told by a series of vignettes and scenes, with some of the performers speaking directly to the audience. Director Ed Shea picks splendid and talented performers to fill these well written roles. He mixes the comic and dramatic moments together marvelously to a very appreciative audience who gives them a resounding ovation at the curtain call.

“The Best of Everything” at 2nd Story (Warren, Rhode Island)

May 1, 2017May 10, 2017 michaelhobanLeave a comment

By Richard Pacheco

“The Best of Everything” at the 2^nd Story Theatre is a play based on the Rona Jaffe controversial best selling novel about sexual politics in 1960’s Manhattan. Set in the pre-women’s liberation era, “The Best of Everything”, tells the story of five young and impressionable secretaries who are new to Manhattan and publishing and their adventures to find a nice boy to take them out to dinner, and possibly lasting love while dodging the garter snappers and lotharios at Fabian Publishing. While it was highly provocative and controversial at the time, it seems rather tame and mild today.

Smart, Funny, “Art” at 2nd Story Theatre (Warren, RI)

April 28, 2017May 3, 2017 michaelhobanLeave a comment

By Richard Pacheco

“Art” currently at 2^nd Story is s smart, funny, vibrant play brought vividly to life by an exceptional cast with great interactions and sheer chemistry. “Art” is a play by Yasmina Reza that premiered in 1994 in Paris. The English-language adaptation, translated by Christopher Hampton, opened in London’s West End on 15 October 1996, starring Albert Finney, Tom Courtenay and Ken Stott and ran for eight years. It opened in New York in 1998 and was awarded the Tony for best play and the best actor award went to Alfred Molina.