|
Regional Reviews: Florida - West Coast Dancing Lessons
Dancing Lessons should prove popular with regional theaters, with its interesting subject matter and minimal requirements. All that is really necessary to make this play work are two superlative performances—and Florida Studio delivers this. I was thinking during the play that Jason Cannon as Ever Montgomery may be the single best performance by a leading actor in a play that I will see this theatrical season. I noticed at one point, when he was listening intently to Vanessa Morosco as Senga Quinn, that the emotional distance, so typical of autism, was still in place. Ms. Morosco is also giving a vivid performance, but her role is a bit less showy. Much of the credit for these performances has to go to director Kate Alexander. It seems to me that the acting in productions she directs is often on a very high level. The setting by scenic designers Isabel and Moriah Curley-Clay is very detailed, adding a layer of richness. Costumes by Devon Painter help to define the passage of time, not always easy in this kind of play. Lighting designer Mike Foster's work is effective without calling attention to itself. After experiencing two of St. Germain's two plays, I have become a real fan of the playwright, who also wrote Freud's Last Session, Becoming Dr. Ruth, and Camping with Henry and Tom, among others. My partner put it succinctly when he said that Dancing Lessons "provides a window into the world of autism." I worked for many years in human services and have some knowledge about this affliction, but still learned quite a lot. FST will be sponsoring community forums during the run of this play featuring various people sharing their expertise on the subject. Subscriptions at Florida Studio are a major bargain, $59 and $69 for four plays during the winter and spring, which is 1/2 off the single ticket price. When the shows being offered are as much fun as the current Hairspray or as thought-provoking and brilliantly acted as Dancing Lessons, you aren't likely to get better value for your entertainment dollar. Florida Studio Theatre presents Dancing Lessons through February 27, 2015, at the Keating Theater 1241 N. Palm Avenue, Sarasota. For tickets and performance information, please call the box office at (941) 366-9000 or visit www.floridastudiotheatre.org. Cast: Directed by Kate Alexander
|
