Becky Shaw

Gina Gionfriddo writes a masterpiece in comedy with Broadway's newest hit: "Becky Shaw" at The Hayes Theater. The laughs are abound in this two hour fifteen minute play which is directed by Trip Cullam and stars a host of great comedic actors.

Set in New York City, Boston and Providence, the action keeps taking on more comedy as the show goes on. From farce to everyday vernacular, the five actors deal with the absurd as well as problems that every audience member deals with or has dealt with. At times up is down and down is up and how the characters play it out through great direction is well worth the price of admission.

The staging was well thought out, the sets are creative (David Zinn). The play should have been on a turnstile, however. Some of the set changes were by stage hands as well as the actors and I thought it cheapened the play to some degree. Stacey Derosier's lighting was done well. From the glam to the edgy, Derosier hit this play well and backstopped the mood excellently. From the glam to the edgy, Derosier hits this play well and backstopped the mood excellently with the various changes given throughout the play.

In the riches to rags senerio, Susan Slater (Linda Edmond) has been left little money by her dead husband. Her adopted son, (well sort of adopted), tries to navigate her finances only to be questioned by his half sister Suzanna (Lauren Patten).

In the riches to rags senerio, Susan Slater (Linda Edmond) has been left little money by her dead husband. Her adopted son, (well sort of adopted), tries to navigate her finances only to be questioned by his half sister Suzanna (Lauren Patten). Even her husband has an opinion on what should be done to salvage what the family has left. The husband, Andrew (Patrick Ball) wants to give up his job for his long reaching dream job.

It is when Becky Shaw (Madeline Brewer) comes into the play when the play takes on a whole new comedic take. Shaw is unorthodox, uncertain about herself and eager to get along with people. She has a penchant for getting under Max's skin even though everyone else likes her, feels sorry for her. Brewer's practical use of comedy is superb- it makes the show tick.

As the spring season wraps up, "Becky Shaw" is one of the highlights of this season! The play has a terrific plot and the laughs make it that much brighter.

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There are two shows left to see for me: The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Joe Turner Has Come And Gone. In two weeks I will see the two and will write on both shows. I will be seeing at least one off Broadway show, maybe two or three more depending on what is coming out.

The summer should have 59 east 59 summer shorts. These shorts are always good as is the Teatro at La Mama and a new one coming out is: Picasso. Bad Daters is also getting good press at the Paradise Factory.

Another play is coming to the Laura Pels Theatre in June :A Walk On The Moon". Last June at Pels: The Joey Mongano play was a real sleeper! One that I thoroughly enjoyed!

There maybe more shows produced in the summer time. This has been happening more and more as the years go by. It seems that people have a penchant for summer theater, whereas years ago people did not want to attend the theater in the summertime.

Broadway Bob Massimi, New York City, Tony Awards, Oscars, Hollywood, Becky Shaw, Harry Potter, Aladdin, The Lion King.