Meteor Shower streaks across the stage at The Cumberland Theatre with a small galaxy of acting

This review appeared today in the Mineral News Tribune

by Tom Valentine

“Meteor Shower “ streaks across the stage at The Cumberland Theatre with a small galaxy of acting stars. The comedy, by Steve Martin, continues this weekend with shows slated for Friday and Saturday at 8 pm and Sunday at 2 pm

Martin, better known as the “wild and crazy guy” from “Saturday Night Live”, does not fill the play with banjo playing or white suits. Nor are there big nose glasses and arrows through the head. However, there are enough jokes and funny situations for even the most casual sky gazer. Martin is the only comic who would (and can) make us believe that, “eggplants are really omens”.

Director Michael Hood, recently retired as the Dean of Fine Arts at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, brings a tightly paced and choreographed show to the local stage. The rotating set (as always, a perfectly designed by Rhett Wolford), keeps the action moving quite literally. We watch the plot develop  in the living room of a loving and staid couple, Corky and Norm - then rotate to the outside patio where the weather ( and the action) gets steamier.

Set Design by Rhett Wolford

Yes, the show is not for the young ones. There are adult situations, sexual content, adult language, half clothed individuals, drugs and alcohol use, and even a pre show warning that the play includes, “scenes of intimacy”. Welcome to our new society where we have to be warned that DANGER - there are intimate scenes ahead!

The “small galaxy of stars” includes Off-Broadway actor, Matt Kurzyniec, as a neurotic normal Norm; northeast regional actor Yury Lomakin as Gerald the cad; DC based actress Katie Culligan as a sexy and vampy Laura; and local actress and Co-Artistic Director Kimberli Rowley as the perfect party hostess wifey. The meeting of these two couples is like “Who is Afraid of Virginia Woolf” on steroids.

The devious duo of Gerald and Laura are the most unwelcomed guests of dull Norm and Corky. As the celestial fireworks continue in the sky, they also illuminate the passions and feelings of the characters. If meteors really hit the earth millions of years ago creating life - or destroying most of it including the dinosaurs-  will it do the same for a marriage?

Kimberli Rowley as Corky and Katie Culligan as Laura

Culligan and Lomakin are particularly good as the swinging couple out to seduce the unknowing couple-next -door. Rowley and Kurzyniec are perfect playing the naïve duo who likes to confess their inner feelings and be open with each other. However, they get to show an alternative side or alter ego as the play concludes.

Or does it?? The scenes bounce back and forth and even repeat themselves with a different perspective and interpretation. We rewind the story and  get to view the action in a whole contrasting universe of possibilities. Or as the playwright tells us, “If you don’t deal with your subconscious, your subconscious will deal with you”.

Some “very heavy thinking” for such a comical piece of theatre. You might want to ponder that the next time you gaze at the summer sky and watch those meteor showers doing their old, criss -crossed journey through the sky…..or polish the car until you really see yourself.

Tickets are available by visiting cumberlandtheatre.com.

Photos courtesy of Wolford Photography

FREE Shakespeare in the Park is Back!

The Cumberland Theatre is once again pleased to bring free Shakespeare performances to Constitution Park's Amphitheatre this summer! This year's selection is the comedy As You Like It, which will be performed August 9th - 11th with Friday and Saturday performances at 7:00 pm and Sunday at 2:00 pm. The show is being sponsored by the Gilmore family and features both local and out-of-town actors.

As You Like It follows its heroine Rosalind as she flees persecution in her uncle's court, accompanied by her cousin Celia to find safety and, eventually, love, in the Forest of Arden. In the forest, they encounter a variety of memorable characters, notably the melancholy traveller Jaques who speaks many of Shakespeare's most famous speeches (such as "All the world is a stage", "too much of a good thing" and "A fool! A fool! I met a fool in the forest"). The play remains a favorite among audiences and has been adapted for radio, film, and musical theatre. Gender roles, nature and politics are hilariously confused as the play reflects on how bewildering yet utterly pleasurable life can be.

Heading the cast as Rosalind is Georgia native, Courtney Feiman. She has appeared in principal roles numerous CT productions including Sophie in Mamma Mia, Poppy in Noises Off and most recently, Chutney Wynham in Legally Blonde the Musical. Playing Celia will be Johnna Leary who has graced the CT stage as Christine Colgate in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Barbara in Night of the Living Dead Live.

Appearing as two brothers who get intertwined with the cousins are Adrian Williams as Orlando and Leo Wollan as Oliver. Williams is a student at Indian University of PA and recently made his debut as Carlos in Legally Blonde and Wollan was last seen in the ensemble of Reefer Madness the Musical.

Nate Smith of Chicago will take on the role of Jacques and Erik Alexis (last seen as the Lecturer in Reefer Madness) will play Adam. Appearing as Touchstone, the jester, will be Michael Null of Oakland. Also appearing in the production in supporting roles will be Whitney O'Haver, Tai Baumann, Connor McCabe, Emily Haworth, Karen Hutcheson, Denise Adams and Jennifer Clark, who is also directing and designing the production. Madison Dolchan is serving as the production's stage manager.

The production is free to the public and runs approximately 90 minutes. It is appropriate for all age groups. If more information is needed, please call the theatre at 301.759.4990 or visit us on Facebook or www.cumberlandtheatre.com.

Legally Blonde Opens This Weekend!

The Cumberland Theatre is pleased to announce the next installment of the 2019 Main Stage Season, Legally Blonde the Musical.  The show will be performed July 11th – 28th with Thursday – Saturday performances at 8:00 pm and Sundays at 2:00 pm. 

 Based on the adored movie starring Reese Witherspoon, Legally Blonde The Musical, follows the transformation of Elle Woods whose life is turned upside down when her boyfriend Warner dumps her so he can attend Harvard Law.  Determined to get him back, Elle ingeniously charms her way into the prestigious law school. While there, she struggles with peers, professors and her ex. With the support of some new friends, though, Elle quickly realizes her potential and sets out to prove herself to the world.

The musical premiered on Broadway in April of 2007 received seven Tony nominations and ten Drama Desk nominations.  It has since been produced frequently all over the world.

Heading the cast as Elle Woods is Mackenzie Newbury, who is making her debut at the

Cumberland Theatre.  She is a graduate of The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC, earning a Bachelor of Music degree in Musical. Since graduating she has lived and worked in the DMV, New York City and the Philadelphia area.  Favorite credits include:  Shrek (Fiona), Evita (title role),  Kiss Me Kate (Lois/Bianca), Catch Me if You Can (Brenda Strong), City of Angels (Mallory/Avril).

Rhett Wolford will appear as Emmett Forrest and newcomer Bryan Austermann will play Warner Huntington III.  Wolford is the Co-Artistic Director of CT and was last seen as Ralph in Reefer Madness the Musical.  Austermann recently toured nationally with The Sound of Music and also performed on  board the Disney Cruise Line. 

Returning to the theatre in the roles of Vivienne Kensington and Enid Hoops will be Kristina Huegel and Alexandra Hemphill.  Huegel  was last seen on the CT stage as Betty Haynes in White Christmas.  Hemphill was part of the cast of last summer’s record-breaking production of Mamma Mia! 

The role of Elle’s new and unlikely best friend Paulette will be played by Kimberli Rowley and exercise guru Brooke Wyndham (who is on trial for murder!) will be portrayed by Marin Rose, also making her CT debut.   Rowley is the Co-Artistic Director of CT and last appeared as Blanch DuBois in A Streetcar Named Desire.  Rose is originally from Dallas, TX and has performed with Pittsburgh Musical Theater and Busch Gardens, Tampa.

Other CT debut performers include Dara Orland as Serena, Alexandra Garcia as Margo and Brianna Lopez as Pilar.  Orland is an actress and choreographer holding a BFA in Drama from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. She has toured nationally in the casts of Cruel Intentions and Cirque Dreams Holidaze. Garcia graduated from Temple University with a Master’s Degree in Musical Theater and has performed in regional theatre production of The Producers, Evita and Rock of Ages.  Lopez also received her degree from Temple and has appeared in regional production of A Chorus Line and 9 to 5.

Shawn Cox, last seen in CT’s 2018 production of Night of the Living Dead LIVE, will play Professor Callahan and Nate Smith, a newcomer to the CT stage is cast as Kyle the UPS guy.

The large cast also includes Lorenzo Ballesteros, Timothy Bambara, Tai Baumann, Melynda Burdette, MacKenzie Cutcliffe, Courtney Feiman, Emily Haworth, Patience Loscomb, Brendon McCabe, Connor McCabe, Whitney O’Haver, and Adrian Williams in a number of featured and supporting roles.

Two local canine stars will also make their debut “Lilly” will play “Bruiser”, Elle’s famous chihuahua and “Frank the Tank” will appear as “Rufus”, Paulette’s bulldog.

The show is under the direction of Kimberli Rowley with music direction by Chris McCabe and choreography by Danny Durr and MacKenzie Cutcliffe.  The design staff includes Jennifer Clark (costume design), Rhett Wolford (set design), Braxton Cooper (lighting design) and Madison Dolchan (props design).  Rebecca Brown is serving as the stage manager with Sarah Sandifer acting as assistant stage manager.

Following the July 12th performance will be wine and cheese party where patrons can meet the cast and crew.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.cumberlandtheatre.com or by calling the theatre at 301-759-4990.  The VIP Star Box is available for parties of eight or more and includes food, beverages and private balcony seating.  Group rates are also available for groups of 10 or more.  To book the Star Box or inquire about group rates, email info@cumberlandtheatre.com.