A FEAST AT POLLAK
The laughs were delicious, the soliloquies stirring. At the end of "Chapter Two," I wanted to make a reservation for another night, to experience it all over again.
Pollak Theatre at Monmouth University, West Long Branch, is the setting this summer for an abbreviated season of Shadow Lawn Stage, and the current play, by Neil Simon, offers an extra-special reason to stay on this side of the Hudson for a spot of theater-going: Actors Bryan Cranston and Robin Dearden have come east from their home in California to perform with their best friends and happy collaborators Bill Timoney and Georgette Reilly of Belmar. It's an unforgettable "Chapter Two," the kind that makes you quickly turn the page in anticipation of chapter three - a reprise of the intermingling of incredible talent on stage.
The foursome are, at turns, belly-laugh funny and breath-stopping poignant. I roared, I teared, I left Pollak as one should leave a theater: completely consumed by the performances I'd just experienced.
Well, I think I expected no less. A scant two-and-a-half weeks ago, Bill cheerily ran down the steps of Bryan and Robin's rental home in Avon to greet me and help me unload food from my car. Georgette quickly followed, as Robin and Bryan put down scripts and started toting tubs of grub. It was Fourth of July, and the quartet had spent the day on the porch, running lines for "Chapter Two." I'd volunteered to cook.
We spent the next several hours eating, eating, eating and talking shop. (Let me tell you, if you think all actors are picky, weight-watching eaters, these folks will prove you wrong. I threw just about every spice and wacky accent at them, cooked enough for a Marine division - and they didn't hesitate and certainly didn't quit. If they weren't such fabulous actors, I'd suggest they go into food criticism.) Devoted to the theater, and committed to bringing Broadway-caliber productions to our local stages, the Cranstons and the Timoneys were using their summer vacations to make our evenings memorable.
It's a singularly sensational "Chapter Two." I'd reserve right now.
Performances in this limited engagement continue at 8 tonight, and also at 8 p.m. on July 25, July 27 and July 28. There also are performances at 7 p.m. tomorrow (July 22) and at 7 on July 29. For ticket information, call the Monmouth U box office at 732. 263. 6889.
cheers,
Andy
7.21.07
Pollak Theatre at Monmouth University, West Long Branch, is the setting this summer for an abbreviated season of Shadow Lawn Stage, and the current play, by Neil Simon, offers an extra-special reason to stay on this side of the Hudson for a spot of theater-going: Actors Bryan Cranston and Robin Dearden have come east from their home in California to perform with their best friends and happy collaborators Bill Timoney and Georgette Reilly of Belmar. It's an unforgettable "Chapter Two," the kind that makes you quickly turn the page in anticipation of chapter three - a reprise of the intermingling of incredible talent on stage.
The foursome are, at turns, belly-laugh funny and breath-stopping poignant. I roared, I teared, I left Pollak as one should leave a theater: completely consumed by the performances I'd just experienced.
Well, I think I expected no less. A scant two-and-a-half weeks ago, Bill cheerily ran down the steps of Bryan and Robin's rental home in Avon to greet me and help me unload food from my car. Georgette quickly followed, as Robin and Bryan put down scripts and started toting tubs of grub. It was Fourth of July, and the quartet had spent the day on the porch, running lines for "Chapter Two." I'd volunteered to cook.
We spent the next several hours eating, eating, eating and talking shop. (Let me tell you, if you think all actors are picky, weight-watching eaters, these folks will prove you wrong. I threw just about every spice and wacky accent at them, cooked enough for a Marine division - and they didn't hesitate and certainly didn't quit. If they weren't such fabulous actors, I'd suggest they go into food criticism.) Devoted to the theater, and committed to bringing Broadway-caliber productions to our local stages, the Cranstons and the Timoneys were using their summer vacations to make our evenings memorable.
It's a singularly sensational "Chapter Two." I'd reserve right now.
Performances in this limited engagement continue at 8 tonight, and also at 8 p.m. on July 25, July 27 and July 28. There also are performances at 7 p.m. tomorrow (July 22) and at 7 on July 29. For ticket information, call the Monmouth U box office at 732. 263. 6889.
cheers,
Andy
7.21.07
posted by Andrea Clurfeld at 6:33 AM
1 Comments:
Andrea, I am Bill T's mom and need your assistance. I would like to get 2 copies of the photo of the Chapter 2 cast, that appeared in APP on Wed. July 25th. I want to frame them and give to each of the couples, for a "job well done" in Chapter 2. You can e me at MaryTea@comcast.net as to how to pursue this. Thanx a bunch.
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