Warren, RI 2nd Story Theatre Produces a Winning Game Plan

Artists of every description in every state are scrambling to make ends meet. Local artists don't expect the million dollar paychecks Hollywood Celebs demand, but one still has to pay the rent. In droves, artists are spear-heading letter-writing campaigns and storming the State House to rally against cuts in the support to art programs both at schools and in the community.

Some companies have folded. But some have managed to dig in their heels and take a positive stance thinking up ways to draw people back to their stages, screens and galleries. Even the most established venues are running something like "Blue Light Specials" one sees at the discount marts. And that makes me scratch my head. If I'm going to attend a grown-up theater, I'd like to see something more than the local middle school can mount as entertainment.

2nd Story Theatre in Warren, RI, which has been around since 1978, came up with some winning ideas to make their current 2010-2011 season more attractive to the public. That does not mean that Artistic Director Ed Shea has given in to the trite, the familiar, and the predictable. But in a time of woe in our world, 2nd Story is hosting a Season of Comedy. Brilliant. It is much easier to forget ones troubles when laughing out loud at the outrageous characters and antics on stage.

The Season of Comedy at 2nd Story Theatre contains a wide variety of plays. The first offering in the fall of 2010 was "Kimberly Akimbo" by David Lindsay-Abaire. It is a unique work that challenges both the actors and the audience. Seen as a "black" comedy to most, it follows an extremely dysfunctional family in which the teenage daughter suffers from a serious aging disease. The disease causes her to look nearly 60 instead of 16.

Stepping out of her usual position as Executive Director and onto the stage, Lynne Collison was lively and charming as Kimberly - serenely handling the challenges of her situation. It was every other crazy family member around her that couldn't handle her impending end. But through laughter we learn a lot about life. I choose to attend on one of the designated days that also makes 2nd Story's season special.

I attended on "Ed-ification Week". A chance to chat with the director and actors, right after curtain call, to discuss our reactions and questions regarding the play. Many audience members found it challenging, yet enjoyable. There are four possible "Special" performances where the audience may chose to stay for further discussion and information. At each play performance there are printed Essays available at the check-in table to further explain or research the chosen play.

Eileen Warburton, PhD handles the "Humanities" point of view. She asks many questions prompting the audience to not just walk out and forget the play, but to further ruminate about what it meant, how it affected you, were the themes relevant to you, etc. It is okay if you do not agree with everyone else.

Tom Roberts, a 2nd Story veteran, handles the discussion on "Culture Gulch". Roberts asserts that "good plays, whether written five months ago or five centuries ago, retain their power to move us by being so close, so relevant to what is happening today in our culture, our politics, ourselves. Shakespeare's statesmen and Moliere's women are as recognizable today as Rod Blagojevich or Sarah Palin". In other words, some things about human behavior never change.

"Shrinkrap" discussions are led by Rendueles Villalba M.D. who states, "a play is a psychological event". You experience it as part of a "mob" so to speak. You will be affected by how the audience, as a whole, reacts. How? The actors have the power to control you, manipulate you. Did you realize that? Perhaps a particular character or line of dialog struck a nerve. To get in on any of the pertinent discussions that interest you, check the website:www.2ndstorytheatre.com.

Moliere, next on the docket, held us captive with his "School for Wives". The wisest of men (or so he thinks) has made the perfect plan to have the perfect wife. Still she manages to outwit him, simple-minded as she is. Great characterizations by all the players kept the audience laughing non-stop. The war of men vs women rages on. Artistic Director Ed Shea got the chance to play in this one as well.

"Becky Shaw" by Gina Gionfriddo played to sold out audiences every night! Very funny yet a bit sinister around the edges, the character Becky Shaw and the play took us by surprise. With plenty of Rhode Island references, intrigue and a bit of suspense, audiences kept flocking back to see this one.

Currently playing at 2nd Story Theatre (March 17 through April 10) is "The Good Doctor". This is a fascinating and most entertaining series of short mini-plays first written by Anton Chekhov long ago, and re-envisioned by Neil Simon. Simon used the "exercise" to heal himself from the deep depression he suffered after the death of his wife.

Chekhov, the doctor, invites the audience in to share his wonderful imagined stories. Some silly, some riotous, all sharp and well-written. Employing some twenty different actors, the variety of characters is amazing. From subtle, as in the couple who may be "Too Late for Happiness", to slapstick as in "The Surgery" as the short Dentist's assistant chases the very tall Sexton around the office, each has its own sweet flavor.

In May, the season comes to an outrageous end with Sarah Ruhl's "In the Room Next Door Or The Vibrator Play". The play is inhabited by Victorian characters, yet it has a distinct modern, sexual, and intellectual vibe. Pardon the pun.

If you haven't had a good laugh in a while, you should go directly to the 2nd Story website and order tickets to "The Good Doctor" and "In the Room Next Door or The Vibrator Play: Tickets are selling briskly, so don't hesitate. The interactive website already has the Sold Out nights marked. Directions can be found on the website as well.

While theaters must balance popular, known works with other plays that keep their actors stimulated and growing as artists, they also should serve a greater purpose in continuing to educate and challenge the public. I believe that 2nd Story Theatre has proven you can do it all, and still pack the house.