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What They Had to Say
To Do Productions presented an all too short world premier run of Doric Wilson's NOW SHE DANCES! (A fantasia of the trial
of Oscar Wilde) at the Marigny Theater.
Mr. Wilson's curiously engrossing play within a play was an anachronistic drama in the style of Pirandello and it's subject
matter on one level was a well written study concerning tolerance and compassion for those who are different, i.e. gay, lesbian
and transgendered human beings. His script was lovely to hear, full of delightful alliterations and historical references,
the kind of play that serious theater-goers enjoy. It was very au courant in style and effect and the production values of
this company were high, particularly the beautiful costumes, all created and stitched up by Mr. Donnie Jay. The visually attractive,
workable, and colorful low-budget sets were clever and well done and the excellent sturdy well crafted performances of the
actors deserve high praise. Michael Martin (Lane), Carrie Rosenberger (Gladys), Chris Schlumbrecht (Bill), Paul Atreides (Sir
Herod), Jennifer Growden (Lady Herodias) Bridget Erin (Miss Salome) and David Fuller (The Prisoner) each created stunning
characters, performances. Steve Patrick directed this unusual play with panache. I hope we all get to see it again for a longer
run.
- Patrick Shannon III, Crescent City Chronicles
Although first produced some 40 years ago, Doric Wilson's "Now She Dances!" only now, in its final revised form,
recently received its official American premiere. Having begun life at off-Broadway's famed Café Cino, it certainly has the
feel of something that could have been seen Off-Broadway (or off-off-B-way) in 1966. ...
Inspired by Oscar Wilde's life and particularly his "Salome", "Now She Dances!" first gives us backstage
intrigue and in-jokes as a ragtag theater group seems to be readying a production of the biblically inspired tale. With a
nod to Genet, some sort of anarchy or chaos seems to rage in the outer world with, gasp!, homosexuals at the root of it. Life
and art then turn back upon one another with Escherian twists. ...
Director Steven Patrick steered a company of pros (Bridget Erin, Jennifer Growden, Carrie Rosenberger, Paul Atreides and,
chief among them, Michael Martin) to give suitably broad performances that managed to make the most of this...without falling
into camp. ...
Patrick's appropriately amateurish set, Don McDonald's moody lighting and Donnie Jay's costumes, especially his luscious
Victorian gowns, all added to the proceedings. ...
To Do Productions is to be commended for its ongoing commitment to this seminal gay playwright.
- Brian Sands, Ambush Magazine
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| Carrie Rosenberger and Michael Martin |
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