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Masthead
A CurtainUp Review
The Mandrake
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It was a rare delight to watch the dear old man reach the peak of folly— but the end of the discussion was my favorite part.— "Reimbursement. Brother Timothy
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Gregory Isaac (L) Josh Carpenter (R)(Photo by Shawn May)
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Everyone's a naughty amoral fraud in this ribald play directed by Alexander Burns, and the cast evidently gets a big kick out of doing it. They're so energized and silly it's hard to imagine that these same actors, ping-ponging between comedy and tragedy, did R&J last night. Broadly acted, the performance is like commedia dell'arte minus the stock characters, with occasional harmonic a cappella singing (Anita Holland shines). A farce full of outrageous lies and scheming, it's downright Machiavellian.
Kudos to E. Ashley Izard, whose magnificent weird mother is a cross between a malicious Bette Davis and the Wicked Witch of the West. Josh Carpenter's crafty, unctuous, twisting Ligurio delights. And no mischief is beneath Sean Close's deftly played compromised cleric, Brother Timothy, especially when money is involved.
The audience that clearly found The Mandrake immensely entertaining last night was predominantly older and white. This is the case at so many theaters. The vibrant young Quintessence Theatre Group, in residence at the Sedgwick Theater in Mount Airy, is all about attracting new audiences. The company is a perfect fit for a more inclusive multicultural and age-diversified crowd. Tickets are not expensive for a fun night out. Where are you Gen Xers and Millenials? Do rush to see it, as the play closes Nov 8.
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The Mandrake by Machiavelli
Translated by Wallace Shawn Directed by Alexander Burns Cast: Alan Brinks, Josh Carpenter, Sean Close, Connor Hammond, Anita Holland, Gregory Isaac, E. Ashley Izard, Emiley Kiser, Jahzeer Terrell Scenic Design: Alexander Burns Composer: David Cope Lighting Design: David Sexton Costume Design: Jane Casanave Choreographer: Janet Pilla Marini Approx 2 hours including one 10 minute intermission Quintessence Theatre Group Reviewed by Kathryn Osenlund based on 10/30/15 performance. Sedgwick Theater, Germantown Ave, Mount Airy, Philadelphia. |
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Book of Mormon -CD