Thursday, July 06, 2006

How the River City Repertory Theater established its worth with The Little Foxes at the Strand Theater in June

Timing and tone were the key elements in the effective opening production of River City Repertory Theater's version of The Little Foxes . While Anne Gremillion played the grasping and tragic female lead with aplomb (what a nuanced, clarion voice), it was the stage full of smooth operators that made the play roll like a train.

Ben Tyler, a protean actor from Tempe, AZ, was Gremillion's buttress. Tyler brought deep-pocketed competence to the stage as the alpha male of the rapacious Hubbard family. Tyler's CV might indicate an actor capable of carrying the show, but he did not outplay the other actors.

Lean actor Logan Sledge, a graduate of the Centenary program that was helmed by director Patric McWiilliams and Robert Busieck, came from California (he has an MFA from Cal State) to play the nervous, young screw-up of the family. Sledge's tics (fingers plucking at his lips when he was in trouble) and careful dance round the older actors were adept.

Possessed of flair and comfortable sense of character were Jodie Glorioso, as the alcoholic, unflaggingly tragic Birdie, and John Gayle, who played the stolid second male of the Hubbards.

McWilliams, the director, was also successful in costume design - he brought a Renaissance pallette to the fabrics draping the players. His set design brought grandiosity to the Strand Theater's stage. The columns dwarfed the actors and added a gothic tone to Lillian Hellman's melodrama.

As a person who worries about the solvency of the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra, Shreveport Opera, the Strand Theater and the future of local fine arts productions, I must say that the Strand seemed a worthy partner for River City Repertory.

Capturing an audience that will sustain productions by a local professional company will almost certainly prove difficult. Happily, supporters can go forth to sell McWilliams' program based on both the excitement generated during his years at Centenary College as well as the competency of the initial River City Repertory Theater production.

- Robert Trudeau

49 comments:

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Robert E Trudeau said...
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Anonymous said...

I've been involved with Shreveport theatre for over 40 years, and this mean spirited, spiteful behavior began long before Patric McWilliams was out of grammar school. EACH local theatre has a history of adolescent competitive behavior, to the detriment of all in the theatre community. (Anyone remember Lightsey's Theatre Arts Guild founded to try to get everyone to work together?) Anonymous character assasination is despicable and damages us all. No one individidual is responsible for this pond full of pirhuanas. WE ALL ARE. It spashes very dirty mud over everyone. It's time we cleaned up our act, quit pointing fingers, calling names and whining and concentrated on artistic excellence. Vendettas against individuals are unconscionable and destroy everyone's credibility.
What do you think patrons and potential underwriters must think of these diatribes/

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Anonymous said...

Trudeau,

Thanks for cleaning up the comments. Your coverage of local arts events is valuable. I doubt you intended it to become a venue for personal attacks and interpersonal grievances.

Hopefully, you'll give us all another chance to act like responsible adults.

Anonymous said...

I notice that you left the only comments that defend Patric and Buseick. That tells me that you are not at all interested in being fair to the community your perport to help and that RCR should be congratulated for having yet another member of the press in their back pockets.

Anonymous said...

Hats off to the River City Repertory Theatre for an amazing first production! All involved should be very proud of the product and pleased with the sold out houses! What a blessing to now have an Equity theatre in Shreveport! River City Repertory Theatre will certainly raise the bar for theatre in the great state of Louisiana and give talented local actors and technicians a chance to work alongside professionals while obtaining Equity status if they choose.

As for the negativity that this blog has stirred... people ought to remember the saying... "If you can't say anything nice... then don't say anything at all." Why not just be delighted that Shreveport has it's own professional theatre instead of wallowing in a negative and hurtful attitude?

Congrats Mr. McWilliams and the River City Repertory Theatre!

Anonymous said...

Now that the nastiness has calmed down, I'd like to thank River City Rep and McWilliams and Buseick for taking Shreveport theatre up a notch. I have no divested interest in any particular group. I am simply a "theatre goer".
I am proud that we now have a professional company that will take our city's name forward and beyond. Let's face it, these are the people who have always done quality work and now they are moving us that one step closer to being legitimate. Thanks to you all.

Anonymous said...

Just commenting on the original post about the show "The Little Foxes". I saw it and enjoyed it. I was a little surprised that young Jessica Maxey was not mentioned in the original article. I have seen MANY young actors and actresses locally and she impresses me more than most. I was delighted to see her placed in such a challenging role and rise to the occasion. Cheers to Miss Maxey! Hope to see you more.

Anonymous said...

Jessica is truly a delight! She by far surpasses any other young actress in the city with the intelligence and grace that she brings to every role that she creates. Bravo!

Anonymous said...

Great article! Thanks.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for interesting article.

Anonymous said...

Nice Blog!

Anonymous said...

I notice no comments have been posted about A Little Night Music.

Anonymous said...

i notice no comments have been made about A Little Night Music

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