Theatre in the Valley presents:
Folk Tales From Around The World
By Chuck Rounds, Helen Rounds, Chuck Abernathy & Judy Shannon
Directed by Maggie Saunders
Synopsis: A trilogy of classic children’s folk tales from Greece, Sweden and Romania.
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ABOUT TIME
By Tom Cole
"An enjoyable evening out." Paul Atreides, Eat More Art Vegas
8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays;
2 p.m. Sundays, through June 4
Theatre in the Valley
10 West Pacific St, Henderson
Tickets: $10 - $15 (702- 558-7275)
Updated: Mar 20, 2019
★★★☆☆ - Satisfying
“About Time” by Tom Cole is a script that could use some red meat on its bones but, since this is not an original play, my job is to critique the production, now in performances at Theatre in the Valley.
On the surface, it’s a sweet peek into the life of an aging couple, He and She, who have reached the point of staring the inevitable in the face. Life is slowing down, short term memory is faltering, and the joints are failing. Underneath, it’s a treatise on what sets humanity apart from other life: We know and understand that we have a finite amount of time. Some of us accept it gracefully, and the closer we get to it the more some of us fear the end.
The former would be She, played with dotty delight by Helen Okonski. She moves through the opening scene going about the business of life as on any normal day, the aches and pains of age not quite permanently settled. Okonski gives the character a Sophia-mixed-with-Blanche “Golden Girls” quality; she’s slyly ditzy.
The latter is He brought to curmudgeonly fun by Peter Vitale. He limps on a bad knee, growls about the short-term memory of She, and half whines about not getting fed on time or at all. Vitale delivers a softer Detective Fish from the old comedy series “Barney Miller;” snarky on the outside, heart of gold in the inside.
As directed by Randy Hample, Vitale and Okonski work well together, and their timing works well for the most part. Moves are motivated by underlying pathos. However, there are more laughs to be mined with the right kind of tone in retort, or an added physical reaction, and the pacing is a bit too even-keeled. We need more variation of intensity beyond the pitfalls of He having issues with the bum knee, or She brandishing a butcher knife.
Presented in the round (a first for this company, and the kind of risk they should take more often), on a set design by Hample, who has done an admirable job in moving his actors around the stage. We never felt cheated even with the actors facing away. He has also seen to the details of production; a coffee pot that brews, a kitchen sink with running water, a refrigerator with a working light. Props are appropriate and real right down to the jug of milk and a bottle of red wine. These are things which keep an audience in the state of suspended disbelief, keep them grounded in the action taking place in front of them, as much as believable acting.
Overall, the production is an enjoyable evening out. If you’re on the same precipice of life as the characters, you should get a kick out of this trifling script. If you’re still on the upward climb, you’ll get a glimpse of what you have to look forward to, and realize, in the end, it’s not all bad – it can even be fun.
What: About Time
When: 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays, through June 4
Where: Theatre in the Valley, 10 West Pacific St, Henderson
Tickets: $10 - $15 (www.theatreinthevalley.org, 702- 558-7275)
Producer: Theatre in the Valley; Director: Randy Hample; Set Design: Randy Hample; Lighting and Sound: Rick Bindhamer; Props: Lois Brown, Joan Vogel; Production Manager: Megan Riggs; Stage Manager: Jolynne Sanchez
Join us on an adventure under the sea with everyone’s favorite mermaid and underwater friends. The City of Henderson presents the Huntsman Entertainment Production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid this spring. March 24 and 25, 2017 March 31 and April 1, 2017 7:30pm
Show is 2 1/2 hours and includes an intermission Tickets start at $20 plus tax/fees With the admission of an adult ticket holder: Regular ticket holders - Children 3 and under are free. buy-tickets-now VIP Ticket includes: Pre-show dinner & meet/greet with cast members plus seat at show Seating starts at 5pm With the admission of an adult ticket holder: VIP tickets holders (which include the dinner and meet- n-greet) - Children 1 and under are free. VIP Dinner Menu Raising Cane's combo dinner - 3 Chicken Fingers, Cane's Sauce, fries and Texas Toast. Salad, fruit and cookies will be available as well. Beverages include lemonade, sweet tea and milk. Group Ticket Sales are available for 10% discount for groups of 10+ people. Please call the box office at 702-267-4TIX for more information.
By Bernard Slade
Directed by Abby Santiago
Synopsis: Everyone loves Scottie Templeton, except his estranged son. The pair are reunited in this heartwarming comedy.
CAST
Lou Daniels–Jim Williams
Scottie Templeton–Kent Allen
Sally Haines–Amy Reusch
Maggie Stratton–Paula Loop
Jud Templeton–Randy Hample
Dr. Gladys Petrelli–Kathleen Taylor
Hilary–Elif Unlu
Performances are January 27- February 12, 2017
Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m.
Theatre In The Valley
10 West Pacific Avenue, Henderson NV 89015
For Reservations 702-558-7275
Or email us at
tivrsvp@gmail.com
★★★☆☆-Satisfying
As last season drew to a close, Theatre in the Valley (TITV) was in dire financial straits, and there was talk that there may not be a 2016-17 season. Through the dedicated effort of some core volunteers, the company has managed to stay afloat. And that, my friends, should make everyone happy.
First impressions are important. There’s a whole new feel and look to the place. It’s as if they’ve upgraded everything from the greeting when you walk in the door of the lobby to the new professional-looking programs. They’ve even got a slick new website.
They’ve wisely launched the new season with a nice production of “Broadway Bound,” Neil Simon’s third entry of his memoir-ish trilogy. With a solid cast, and tightly directed by Jim Williams, the play fit nicely into the tiny venue; if you’ve ever been to TITV, that’s saying a lot.
The program doesn’t credit a set designer (nor other design aspects), but we got the needed two-story set, well dressed for the period. From antique-framed photos to posters of Betty Grable, beautiful touches of the era within the play graced every corner of the stage.
Chris Carapucci takes on the role of Eugene Jerome, the character who narrates the play by breaking the fourth wall to directly address the audience with asides. In these moments, the character is fully grown, successful, and confident as he fills in details of the family life of a young man on the verge of breaking out. But, this is when Carapucci faltered. Looking away, shifting weight, shuffling in place, all project inadequacy which better serve the young Eugene he’s describing. He also had moments when he moved around the set without motivation. Those faults aside, Carapucci brought a refreshing honesty to the role.
There’s a quality about Randy Hample that reminds of Jack Haley, Jr. Playing the older brother, Stanley, he’s full of energy, he’s expressive, and he’s always in the moment. Even when he’s holed-up alone in his bedroom, and the major focus is on center stage, Hample continued to play out the scene to bring continuity and paint a full picture. He’s got a flair about him; the enthusiasm and sense of determination he brought to Stanley were spot on.
There’s no denying that Helen Okonski is beyond the age of the role of Kate, Stanley and Eugene’s mother. But it doesn’t take long to forget that fact. Okonski is one of those consummate actresses within the community: much like actors of the Golden Age of Hollywood, she manages to remain herself yet be completely believable in whatever role she takes on.
The same can be said for Peter Vitale in the role of the boy’s father, Jack. Though he stumbled on lines a couple of times, Vitale remained in character, recovered, and kept going.
John Wennstrom delivers the curmudgeonly Ben, Kate’s father, with absolute abandon. Using his entire instrument, turning phrases with vocal agility, his Ben is at once funny and sincere. He moves with appropriate slowness, his hands tremble when he’s excited or frustrated, and the voice quavers in the right tones with an immigrant dialect; it’s a fully realized, three-dimensional portrayal.
The cast is rounded out by Terri Gandy, who puts in a fine cameo turn as Blanche, Kate’s now well-to-do sister.
It would’ve been interesting to see these actors deliver the same roles in “Brighton Beach Memiors,” the play that kicks off the entire saga of the Jerome family prior this point in their journey.
I’ve been quite critical of this company’s past efforts, pointing out many times over the years that details matter. From character portrayal to the smallest of props, costumes, and set dressing, it all comes together to make what takes place in front of an audience believable. It makes us suspend our disbelief.
Jim Williams and the crew of this production, with a few minor stumbles, does just that and it’s great to see Theatre in the Valley take this leap forward.
What: Broadway Bound
When: 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays, through October 9
Where: Theatre in the Valley, 10 West Pacific St, Henderson
Tickets: $10 - $15 (www.theatreinthevalley.org, 702- 558-7275)
Grade: *** (Satisfying)
Producer: Theatre in the Valley; Director: Jim Williams; Lighting and Sound: Rick Bindhamer; Props: Joan Vogel, Clay Kuykendall; Stage Manager: Joan Vogel; Stage Crew: Jolynne Sanchez
by Sam Bobrick
Directed by Michael Brazier
May 27 – June 19
Synopsis: A couple in their late forties to mid-fifties and a couple in their mid-late twenties have accidentally rented the same cottage for a three-day weekend. They decide to share it. We watch the comedic clash between generations.
http://www.theatreinthevalley.org/tickets-prices/
★★★✩✩ - Satisfying
Theatre in the Valley (based in the Henderson community since 1993) is presenting a very satisfying 3-Star production of 2 Across: A Comedy of Crosswords and Romance, through May 1st.
The audience quickly learns that there’s no need for internet dating, singles bars, or expensive cruises. Jerry Mayer’s present day romantic comedy proves that it’s still possible to meet and fall in love in an hour and a half in the most unlikely of places: the 4:30 a.m. BART train from San Francisco International Airport on its way to Bay Point!
Two strangers, a psychologist (most stylishly portrayed by Terri Gandy) and an unemployed ad man (embodied very casually and comfortably by Clay Kuykendall) find themselves alone on a San Francisco commuter train at 4:30 a.m., each doing their New York Times crossword puzzles. But before their crosswords are solved, they find that they may have solved the puzzles of each other’s lives.
Janet arrives first and settles into a nice empty car, picking up a crossword puzzle. All this uptight, mace-packing psychologist wants right now is a little peace and quiet. She is Catholic, structured, responsible, a good mother and usually right. She's an achiever whose standards are high and her patience is low. As a psychologist, she's blunt and honest. She's a law abider and a rule follower. Everything she attempts, she does well, except for one thing, she’s got to learn about how to have fun.
She is not thrilled when happy-go-lucky Josh invades “her” territory, even less when he asks her to move, claiming she is occupying his “lucky seat.” To shut him up, she moves, though she’s obviously not happy about it.
Josh is Jewish and a paradox. He's part free spirit, part executive, part dreamer, part good son, part Peter Pan. During the trip, each time Janet decides Josh is a flake, he does or says something that wins her total admiration, or he makes her laugh, which she's not used to. About two thirds through their journey, Josh decides that he and Janet might be meant for each other. Now all he's got to do is convince Janet of that.
2 Across is a battle-of-the-sexes throwback written by Jerry Mayer, a playwright with several decades’ worth of television comedy credits. An executive producer for “The Facts of Life,” he wrote for “Bewitched,” “The Bob Newhart Show” and “Bridget Loves Bernie” — the last of which “2 Across” echoes with an archaic Catholic-Jewish romance angle. [Laura Collins-Hughes, NY Times, Dec. 9, 2015]
Josh has been unemployed for eighteen months, having left the family button business after twenty-five years. He is on his way home from one of his temp jobs working at the Airport helping run the International Air Terminal on Christian Holidays. Josh is Jewish and it is Holy Saturday. Janet, a psychotherapist, has just dropped off her son Brian at the Airport. Despite her protestations, Brian has decided to drop out of school and enlisted in the Marines.
This starts an 80-minute ride described by critics as "Hilarious," "Witty," "Romantic," "Poignant," "Wonderfully entertaining." Two opposites in an enclosed space, attacking each other's values but also being swayed and intrigued by them. They each have serious life problems that the other helps them solve. Their trip is filled with unpredictable but believable surprises, even a kiss or two. As the train ride ends it's obvious each of them has been changed for the better.
Each of the strangers on a train is exactly the kind of person that the other has always found irritating. At first, they are worlds apart on everything, but as the trip continues, they begin to relax and enjoy each other, even as they argue about their differences.
Is it possible to believe that you could find love on an eighty minute rapid transit ride? Absolutely! The humor comes from their extreme differences, with each trying to change the other for the better, as they struggle to finish their crosswords before the end of the line – and to schedule a future “lunch date” to seal the deal on their newfound relationship!
Theatre in the Valley (April 8-May 2, 2016) 8:00 pm Friday & Saturdays; 2:00pm Matinees Sundays 10 West Pacific Avenue, Henderson, NV Phone: (702) 558-7275
" 2 Across ", by Jerry Mayer Staring Clay Kuykendall as Josh and Terri Gandy as Janet
Two strangers, a man and a woman board a San Francisco BART train at 4:30 AM. They’re alone in the car, each is married, both are doing the New York Times crossword. She’s an organized, sensible, psychologist. He’s a free spirited, unemployed ad exec. She is a crossword pro, he always quits. When he tosses his puzzle away, she snaps, “Crosswords are a metaphor for life, those who finish, succeed, those who don’t, fail.” Now he vows to finish. Why? He’s a competitor and she happens to be lovely. This starts an 80 minute ride described by critics as “Hilarious,” “Witty,” “Romantic,” “Poignant,” “Wonderfully entertaining.” Two opposites in an enclosed space, attacking each others values but also being swayed and intrigued by them. They each have serious life problems that the other helps them solve. Their trip is filled with unpredictable but believable surprises, even a passionate kissing embrace or two. As the train ride ends it’s obvious each of them has been changed for the better.
Scheduled Performances April 8 – May 1 8:00 pm Friday & Saturdays, With 2:00pm Matinees Sundays
All Friday and Saturday Shows are at 8:00pm and Sunday Matinee is at 2:00pm. adults $15, Seniors $12 and child $10 order tickets on line or reserve a seat via message line. 702-558-7275
Isabel is a modern young woman who lives alone and works in a book shop. When she is not pining after a handsome author, she is visiting her grandmother (Bubbe) in Manhattan’s Lower East Side. This irascible granny and her friend the matchmaker have found a “good catch” for Isabel, whose initial reluctance gives way to a blossoming romance when she finally meets Sam, the pickle vendor as the end of the play offers a new beginning.
Crossing Delancy
by Susan Sandler
Directed by John Wennstrom
CAST
ISABEL Carly Derrin
BUBBE Rachel Smithline
HANNAH Barbara Friedman
TYLER Nicholas Jackman
SAM Benjamin Dunning
Scheduled Performances February 5 – 21 8:00 pm Friday & Saturdays, With 2:00pm Matinees Sundays
Rated: [G] – General Audiences
Performance Location Theatre In The Valley’s Playhouse 10 West Pacific Avenue, Henderson NV. 89015-7383
We are happy to announce you can now Purchase ticket for the
upcoming productions by going to the Tickets Page.
GENERAL TICKET PRICES
$15 Adults, $12 Seniors & $10 Children (Ages 4- to – 14)
For reservations call 558-7275 or email us at: tivrsvp@gmail.com
Synopsis: This radio station covering the North Pole community has a new station manager, Nell Meano, who arrives with her personal lawyer in tow. Her plans to turn the station into a profitable enterprise run head-first into the station’s holiday traditions creating havoc all around. (A musical-comedy in the style of an old-time radio production studio.)
Theatre in the Valley
December 4 – 27
Fridays at 8pm, Saturday and Sunday at 2pm
Rated: [G] – General Audiences
Performances will be at Theatre In The Valley’s Playhouse
10 West Pacific Avenue, Henderson NV. 89015-7383