AGL's St. Nicholas poster |
1. The playwright. Conor McPherson is an exceptional storyteller. I first saw McPherson's The Weir on Broadway in 1999. It was a life changing experience. A play, that on the surface, seems to be a mere collection of stories that evolves throughout the evening into a complex and haunting piece of theatre. Serious and deep, but still immensely funny. It was one of the best nights I've ever had in a theatre, and it sent me on a search for more scripts and more stories as good as it was. Obviously many of those great scripts were penned by McPherson as well. Shinning City, The Seafarer (being produced by AGL Dec. 1st-11th directed by Anthony Haigh of Centre College) and St. Nicholas where our hero is that scourge of the performing arts: The Critic.
2. The actor. Jerome Davis, who joins us from his post as artistic director of Burning Coal Theatre Company in Raligh, NC nails it in his perfectly presented performance of the down and out critic facing off with the undead. Jerome is the brother of Tim "X" Davis who run BCTC's theatre program, and it was Tim who first let me know that his brother was interested in tackling the show again after a successful run at Burning Coal. It took only one phone conversation to know that St. Nicholas would be the show launching AGL's second year of second stage programing. The BETA Stage program that we have created at AGL is focused on both looking into new and under produced works, but also into creative collaborations with other arts groups. (Previously we partnered with BCTC for last April's production of The Rocky Horror Show.) So I was particularly thrilled to have an opportunity to partner with such a fantastic organization as Burning Coal, and to have Jerome join us in the Bluegrass for some haunting and hilarious Halloween fun.
and...
From the Burning Coal production. © The Right Image, Inc |
And did I mention the THEATRE CRITIC VS. VAMPIRES storyline? Did I? Well frankly, I don't think I can say it enough.
Actors Guild of Lexington & Burning Coal Theatre Company present
St. Nicholas by Conor McPherson
Originally directed for Burning Coal by Randolph Curtis Rand
Starring Jerome Davis*
Oct. 28-30 (LIMITED ENGAGEMENT)
Tix: 1.866.811.4111 or www.actors-guild.org
(There will be a special talk back for the audience after the performance on the 30th)
St. Nicholas contains adult language-viewer discretion advised
This show is not to be missed. Great theatre performed by a great actor, and all with some extra bite for the hoilday...(couldn't help myself).
Cheers,
Eric Seale
*Indicates Actor is a member of Actors Equity Association, The union of professional actors in the United States
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