Bullet Catch

So much of what passes for modern entertainment is mean spirited; pitting people against each other in horrible competitions or trying to make fools of volunteers in some way. So it was a real breath of fresh air when Rob Drummond stood with his volunteer from the audience of Bullet Catch and said, "I will not be making fun of you or trying to embarrass you. We're here together to enjoy this journey." The audience loudly and positively affirmed this noble and good-hearted gesture and with that the stage was set for a very magical journey that blurred the lines between magic show and story telling.

Bullet Catch is now playing at 59E59 Theatres. It revolves, as the title suggests, around the infamous bullet catch; a feat so dangerous that even the amazing Harry Houdini refused to attempt the trick. Rob Drummond skillfully builds the necessary tension during the hour long show as he deftly pulls off magic tricks and tells the story of an unsuccesfful attempt at the bullet catch with the help of an audience member.

It's part story telling, part magic show, but what really carries the show is the sincerity and showmanship of Rob Drummond. Unlike so many so-called entertainers, Drummond isn't out to get a cheap laugh at the expense of someone else. You get the feeling that he's getting as much out of the show as we are and I really think that's what makes it such a special show.

Bullet Catch is playing now through April 21st. I highly recommend this show. The 59E59 Theatres rarely disappoint and this show is no exception. Great story. Impressive magic. And a sincere performance that reminds us of the good in each other.

 

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Taiko & Dance 2013

Tamagawa University's Taiko and Dance is a lot of fun to watch. With a cast of over 30 drummers and dancers, it's really amazing to watch how precise they are. The drumming is extordinary. There's a timeless quality to the pieces being performed. The raw energy of the performers mixed with their obvious love for their craft creates a wonderful atmosphere.

This is a real cultural exchange between Japan and the United States and it really does feel special. It's evident that the performers love what they are doing and it makes the performance all the more enjoyable.

For the most part the boys drum and the girls dance. The women, however, do have a drum piece in this years performance. It was a great piece and it made me want to see more of them drumming. I think, in particular, I was hoping to see the men and women drum together at some point.

Overall it's a wonderful show with a great cast. They still have nine more shows on their US tour. If you have a chance I'd definitely recommend catching them. It's the type of highly energetic showt that even kids will enjoy. Here's a list of their upcoming shows:

• April 1, 7pm at Colgate University, Memorial Chapel
• April 3, 7pm at Hamilton College, Wellin Hall
• April 5, 7:30pm at West Chester University, Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall
• April 6, 4pm & 8pm at Painted Bride Art Center
• April 7, 7pm Swarthmore College, Lang Concert Hall
• April 9, 7:30pm at Westtown School, Berton Test Theatre
• April 12, 12pm at Free Gallery of Art
• April 12, 5pm at Japan Bowl
• April 13, 10AM National Cherry Blossom Festival, Washington D.C.
• April 13, 2pm at National Cherry Blossom, Washington D.C.
• April 14, 11AM & 1PM at Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival of Greater Philideophia

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Bears

Bears is a delightful little piece of theatre. Jonathan Dickson (Growl Bear) and Nick Abeel (Timmy Bear) set the stage perfectly as two zoo bears living in a post apocalyptic America. The dialogue is quick witted and fun with lots of laughs. But there are also some really poignant and serious scenes with Growl Bear (Jonathan Dickson) reminiscing about times past. Jenna Panther does a wonderful job playing Susie Wild Bear, scoffing at the "civilized" nonsense of her zoo bear companions.

The tensions between wild and civilized are thoughtfully and creatively played out between the three bears. Civilization has broken down and yet there's still an effort to hold on to the past, to maintain and hopefully pass it on. But the stark reality of a life where food is no longer easy to come by and the pangs of hunger are all to real makes the wild life of a bear greatly appealing.

Throughout it all there's lots of great dialogue between the bears who use English but don't necessarily understand it. Growl Bear figures out how to use a radio but he doesn't quite get why the radio gets quieter over time (dead batteries).

The only minor criticism I have is that Nick Abeel (Timmy Bear) seemed to forget or stumble over his lines a number of times. This was only a minor distraction and I have to say he was great at never missing a beat. Despite the stumbles he repeatedly made it work, and I have no doubt he'll get past that in future shows.

Overall this is a wonderfully crafted, well written show with a talented cast. It was a joy to watch with plenty of laughs throughout. You'll definitely want to catch this gem of a play at 59 East 59th Street Theatres. It runs from now to March 31st. You can find ticket information by clicking here.

 

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Etiquette Unraveled

Lake Simmons

How does one person entertain a crowd for 90 minutes without saying a word? I have no idea, but that's exactly  what Lake Simmons does in "Etiquette Unraveled."  Using a range of music from Led Zeppelin to J. Strauss, and an ingenious set, Lake Simmons and the crew from One Arm Red did an amazing job of captivating the audience and pushing the boundaries of our imaginations. Lake Simmons breaks the fourth wall throughout the performance and it worked every time. At one point she sets up a tea party next to one of the audience members and has "tea" with him. In this day and age when million-dollar special effects are the norm and our imaginations have little work to do, I found this performance wonderfully refreshing. One of my favorite parts was the "cat orchestra" where Simmons carefully takes out one stuffed cat after another until she has an entire orchestra. She had the audience in the palm of her hand. 

The theatre was very cozy. The sound and lighting were perfect. And they had some great refreshments. I thoroughly enjoyed the show. If you're looking for something different, something that's going to give you imagination a work out, something that will make  you laugh and think hard, definitely check out Etiquette Unraveled.  Click here for more information.