Stroyka Theater Releases 2011 Season

Michael & Laura Clark — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 13:05:42 +0000

Stroyka Theater has released their planned 2011 season:

White Noise, February 2011 Performance Schedule; Auditions
Over the Tavern, June 2011 Performance Schedule; Auditions
To Kill a Mockingbird, October 2011 Performance Schedule; Auditions

Schedule is subject to change due to performance rights conflicts or other issues.

Stroyka Theater Chess

Lisa Kay Morton — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:50:20 +0000

Chess by Tim Rice
Stroyka Theater
Burke Theater at the Heritage Center, Washington DC
Through September 27th
$25/$20 Seniors and Students/$15 Military
Reviewed September 19th, 2009

Director Romans S. Gusso and Producer Henry Keegan presented a graphic production in black and white of Tim Rice’s rock musical Chess. Presented in their new home at the Heritage Center in the US Navy Memorial, the production effectively utilized minimal props and compelling graphics on a huge production screen.

Ostensibly about a world chess competition between a Russian champion (Anatoly Sergievsky) and a hotheaded American challenger (Frederick Trumper), which was inspired by the Boris Spassky-Bobby Fischer matches in Iceland in 1972, the plot uses chess as an all-encompassing metaphor for life. Chess the musical, has struggled for acceptance on and off-Broadway and the demands of a described as a “Suite of temper tantrums” are many.

Without a shade of grey, the set, costumes, and backdrops were an effective and artistic asset to the production and the work space. Mr. Gusso has a flair for dialogue and pacing which was evident in many of the scenes which were done well. Outstanding performances by Christopher Furry as the passionate Anatoly and Josh Canary as the ego-maniacal Freddie Trumper were worth the cost of admission. The outstanding musicianship, characterization of both gentleman are a huge plus. Quixotic casting however, set this game off. The largest role of Florence, played by Jennifer Gusso, was a musical misfit. A competent actress, Ms. Gusso waivered vocally in this demanding role.

Musically the show was all over the map. Beautiful vocals from all of the men – including up and coming actor Brian Hackman (The Arbiter) and Walter Gottlieb (Molokov) and consistently thin, out of tune vocals from the women of the ensemble and cast as well as the children’s ensemble and an anemic rock band dragged down many of the musical numbers. The disparity between the strength of the male cast and female cast made this production a stalemate.

Stalemate still makes a good game.

Photo Gallery

Zhenya Anderschat (Young Freddie) & Josh Canary (Freddie)

Jennifer L Gusso (Florence) & Roger MacDonald (Father)

Jennifer L Gusso (Florence) & Christopher Furry (Anatoly)

Jennifer L Gusso (Florence) and Christopher Furry (Anatoly)

Jennifer L Gusso (Florence) & Arielle Granatstein Gottlieb (Young Florence)

David Deal (Walter) & Walter Gottlieb (Molokov)

Christopher Furry (Anatoly) & Walter Gottlieb (Molokov)

Christopher Furry (Anatoly) & Josh Canary (Freddie)

Christopher Furry (Anatoly), Brian Hackman (Arbiter), & Josh Canary (Freddie)

Photos provided by Stroyka Theater.

Cast

Gregor Vassy: Denys Petrov
Young Florence: Arielle Granatstein Gottlieb
Freddie Trumper: Josh Canary
Florence Vassy: Jennifer Gusso
Anatoly Sergievsky: Christopher Furry
Molokov: Walter Gottlieb
Nikolai: Denys Petrov
Young Anatoly: Simon Gusso
Walter Anderson: David Deal
Arbiter: Brian Hackman
Svetlana Sergievsky Roselie Vasquez-Yetter
Young Freddie: Zhenya Anderschat
Father: Roger Mac Donald
Ensemble: Erin Bricker, Greg Crowe, Christopher Dong, Adrianne DuChateau, Kiva Fecteau, Joanne Frezzo, Becky Granatastein, Morgaine Lower, Michael Nuget, Shelby Smith, Wendy Stengel, Erica Wilmore, August Yetter, Chloe Yetter

Crew

Producer: Henry Keegan
Director: Roman S Gusso
Asst Director: Samuel Basa
Stage Manager: Corey Bernstein
Musical Director: John Marlowe
Choreography: Roselie Vasquez-Yetter, Alcine Wiltz, Gi Buscaglio
Lighting Design: Josh Canary
Props: Michelle Brooks
Costumes: Chary Izquierido
Visuals: Roger MacDonald
Light & Projection Operator: Adam Fischer
Spot Operators: Leora Gottleib & Samuel Basa
Running Crew: Michelle Brooks, Geevieve Fecteau
House Manager: Pamela Anferschat
Publicity: Jennifer Gussi
Photographer: Karen Simmons
Videographer: Ben Simmons
Program & Poster Design: Samuel Basa

Stroyka Theater Releases 2010 Season

Michael & Laura Clark — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:00:56 +0000

Stroyka Theater has released their planned 2010 season:

Talk Radio, February 2010
Reefer Madness, June 2010
Twelve Angry Men, October 2010