Chi sono:
MISSION STATEMENT – It is the mission of Retro Productions to present works of retro theatre. Retro is defined as "involving, relating to, or reminiscent of things past (American Heritage Dictionary)." At Retro Productions we will strive to tell good theatrical stories which have an historical perspective -with an emphasis on the 20th century- in order to broaden our own understanding of the world we live in. We believe through stories of human lives and struggles, both dramatic and comedic, we can understand social history and culture and how it affects us today.
HISTORY– Retro Productions was born out of River Heights Productions in the summer of 2006. At the dissolution of RHP, Founding Artistic Director, Heather Cunningham, sought to continue her work on its mission statement of “retro theatre.” As a result a new company with a new name carries on the work of River Heights Productions. RHP started in 2005 by studying the 1960’s as seen through the eyes of children in CATHOLIC SCHOOL GIRLS by Casey Kurtti and followed up in 2006 by looking at the housewife movement of the 1950’s in MRS. CALIFORNIA by Doris Baizley. In February/March of 2007, Retro examined the effects of the Vietnam War on late 1970's America in Emily Mann's STILL LIFE.
Announcing the Retro Productions 2008-2009 Season!
THE TENDER TRAP
by Max Shulman and Robert Paul Smith
For Charlie, life in early 50s New York City sure is swell, at least, that is how his old friend Joe sees it when he comes to visit. Charlie has a swinging bachelor pad, a good job, and more girls than he can handle. Before long at least one of those girls finds herself in a tug-of-war, and jealousy forces Charlie to choose… but will he choose the right girl?
November 6 - 22, 2008
Wed-Sat & Mon at 8p.m., Sun at 2p.m.
special matinee performance Nov. 8 @ 2pm
WHEN YOU COMIN' BACK, RED RYDER?
by Mark Medoff
It’s the end of the 60s in New Mexico and an early morning shift change at Foster’s Diner turns ugly when Teddy walks in. Steak and eggs evolve into taunting and bullying and before long the patrons and diner staff are helpless puppets in Teddy's cruel game, too terrified to resist him. Will they pull together to overcome him or be shattered by his emotional abuse?
May 7-24, 2008
Wed-Sat & Mond at 8p.m., Sun at 2p.m.
All performances take place at the Spoon Theater
38 West 38th Street, 5th Floor
New York, NY 10018
There you will be able to find out about upcoming shows, join our mailing list and learn how to donate to Retro.
REVIEWS & TESTIMONIALS:
MILL FIRE by Sally Nemeth
"Retro Productions does a fine job of bringing small town America to life.... There are many things working in their favor. The entire cast is solid, with standout performances by Mark Armstrong as Bo and Kristen Vaughan as his alcoholic, long suffering wife Sunny. The set design by Jack and Rebecca Cunningham uses the space efficiently with a keen eye for detail, and Kathryn Squitieri's costumes evoke the era perfectly... I felt pulled into the story by the talent of the cast... Kudos to Lauren Kelston for walking such a fine line with a very difficult part." - Peter Schuyler, nytheatre.com
"A lyrical chorus of three widows aids the time shifts, as does the sound design by Amy Altadonna, which includes realistic hospital noises. [Kelston] brings affecting emotional power. Armstrong conveys just the right amount of likeability and helplessness as a company man whose loyalties are shifting. Vaughan's Sunny is particularly strong as she alternates between tipsy anger and pleading wifeliness. Jim Kilkenny gives a quiet and compelling portrayal as both a minister and an OSHA investigator. Kathryn Squitieri's costumes and Heather E. Cunningham's props are evocative, down to the black square frames on Kilkenny's eyeglasses. Director Angela Astle keeps the play moving to a point of catharsis." - Gwen Orel, Backstage
"Astle has a keen eye for casting, as all the actors were refreshingly powerful and astute in their portrayals. Lauren Kelston as Marlene attacks the play with strength and zest; Mark Armstrong delivered a still virtue to his character and graced all situations with momentum and honesty. High praises to Kristen Vaughan, who handled Sunny’s alcoholism with compassion, and showed us the many layers of loneliness while alongside others. Jack and Rebecca Cunningham did an exquisite job at turning the Spoon Theatre into an appropriate 70’s setting. The costumes by Kathryn Squitieri also gave this world the finished effect of a “retro production.”" - Antonio Miniňo, The Fab Marquee
WHAT I DID LAST SUMMER by A.R. Gurney
"The Retro Company's production What I Did Last Summer, a play of mine last seen in New York twenty-five years ago, turned out to be first-rate: brisk, sweet and occasionally quite moving, if I say so myself." A. R. GURNEY.
STILL LIFE by Emily Mann
"The pains of readjustment are sharply rendered in Still Life, which might be described as an emotional strip-tease in triplicate... Still Life lives up to its title: three talking heads, two tables, and virtually no action. Yet the talk is compelling... Potempa's Mark... he has the working-class accent and the angst right... Cunningham and Vaughan are marvels, both subtly defying expectations about their characters' roles in Mark's life. Even in repose, and there's a lot of it, each stays in character, forcing us to confront Cheryl's bitterness and Nadine's complicated earth-mother makeup even when they're not front and center. Director Ric Sechrest smartly varies the rhythms of the characters' delivery, making them sound spontaneous as they ponder a bleak, nearly hopeless landscape." - Marc Miller, Backstage
"This is a superb production of the play. I have stopped going to see productions of Still Life because the ones I saw (save for the ones in Europe) rarely captured the devastating power of the original. Your production got it. It was also thrilling to see it in a tiny space. You made magic in the 78th Street Theater Lab. Every aspect of the experience was first rate. Retro is clearly a company dedicated to creating impeccable work that truly matters." - EMILY MANN, playwright, Still Life
MRS. CALIFORNIA by Doris Baizley
"This meticulously presented, charming, emotionally affecting play by Doris Baizley is based on a mid-1950s competition to find the best housewife in California... River Heights Productions, a small, fairly new company whose work I did not previously know, does a very impressive job turning the script into theatre. Director Megan R. Wills allows her actors to create characters with great style and flair but without indulging their excesses... Dave DiLoreto and Jim Kilkenny, as men who happen to be involved in the contest, are just right... Viviane Galloway's set is pretty: a series of ovens and stoves carefully and lovingly prepared, like the production itself. " - Michael Lazan, Backstage
"Kristen Vaughan, Matilda Downey, and India Myone McDonald, are terrific as the other contestants, as they manage to portray both their doll-like exteriors as well as their own private struggles... Mrs. California is a valiant effort with a lot of heart, and River Heights Productions should be praised for being the first company to bring this marvelous play to New York City. The play is remarkably adept at showing how women have been fighting to be treated as individuals for generations, and how “femininity” (and perhaps “feminism”) is an ever-changing concept. It also highlights a very important message—that behind every great woman is another great woman who is her friend." - Josephine Cashman, www.nytheatre.com (NYTheatre gave us a star! Starred shows are considered to be noteworthy or of special interest by NYTE's editor.)
"The play is strongest when we catch a glimpse of the complex personalities that lie beneath the judge-charming caricatures these women have created for themselves. Cunningham believably fleshes out Dot's seemingly mindless character through the slow revealing of hidden facets you wouldn't have guessed she possessed. A climactic speech about her "proudest moment" is stirring and strong, especially in the stunned moment when she trembles with the realization that her mother, aunts, and grandmother fought for equality, and here she stands, a competent woman who saved hundreds of soldiers' lives, struggling to earn respect by ironing a shirt. Within her lies a fiery, determined spirit that has been too easily and thoroughly suppressed." - Adrienne Cea, www.offoffonline.com [Pick of the Week, March 24th, 2006]
"Retro’s production of Mrs. California was a real treat for me. The high-spirited team of actors, inventive use of the space, and attention to every detail brought the play to life in so many surprising ways, I forgot I’d written it and just sat back and enjoyed it. Retro’s skillful dedication to work by women playwrights makes me proud to be one." - DORIS BAIZLEY, playwright, Mrs. California
CATHOLIC SCHOOL GIRLS by Casey Kurtti
"Catholic School Girls invites you to join the growing pains of four girls attending Grade School in the 1960s... The play has great insight into the tumultuous and confusing times that were the 1960s told through the eyes of the young girls... There's Colleen, an outspoken troublemaker, played with a vibrant energy by Elizabeth Burke. Ms. Burke brings a smooth banter and likeability to a character that could easily turn bratty... Heather E. Cunningham was a knock out as the timid misfit Maria Theresa Russo. Maria struggles with being one in a houseful of siblings, picked on by the nuns and her classmates and it all comes to a quiet and touching boiling point in a stirring monologue. Heather's quiet performance is not easily forgotten... [Blaine M. Cook] ... as the feeble minded Sister Mary Agnes that was too sweet to rap on retirement's door. This character had all sorts of delightful tics and physical jokes that showed Ms. Cook's natural talents... Probably the most fascinating and true to life character is Elizabeth McHugh played by Kimberly Greene... Kimberly's performance was tender and heartbreaking. Her poignant monologue as a 12 year old ending her relationship with God is easily the best moment of the play... Watching this play brought alive stories my mother had told me about attending Catholic School, and indeed how these experiences formed the generation that came before me. If this was RHP's goal, they certainly obtained it." - Akia Squitieri, Theatrescene.net
"I was ecstatic when I saw the production of Catholic School Girls by Retro Productions. I don't usually attend productions of the play - however I was intrigued from the moment I saw the alluring, sexy poster. This innovative crew knows how to market and produce! In the middle of 42nd street all the angst and grace of 60's Catholic School Girls were on display via this intelligent, talented company of young actors. A play, I thought I knew so well was full of moments of delightful surprise." - CASEY KURTTI, playwright, Catholic School Girls
Mi piacerebbe conoscere: Other New York based actors, designers, stage managers, directors and all around theater people! Retro Productions is currently non-Union.
If you are a theater goer I want to know you too! Visit our website to find out how to sign up for our mailing list!
Yeah, I am getting wiser (:-) I'll be seeing you soon, I am treating myself to a theater night for my bday. Keep an eye open for your mail, my roommate is throwing me a baby shower. I don't know when, but I hope you can come. And be sure to bring mom too. Miss you...
