Rosie Byrne and Amber Tiara in “Brownstone” (Photo – Erin Clendenin)
As expected, another unique production from Open Fist Theater Company has arrived at Atwater Village Theatre!
By Carol Germain
Catherine Butterfield’s Brownstone brings to life her long-standing fascination with New York brownstones, imagining the lives, accomplishments, and experiences of those who lived there—“if these walls could talk,” as the saying goes.
Butterfield has crafted a smoothly flowing, ever-changing story that follows three couples who lived on the second floor of a classic brownstone at three different times: 1937, 1978, and 1999. The transitions of the set and the characters as they move in and out of the brownstone are remarkably fluid; we glide seamlessly among the stories, hungry for the next development in each relationship.
Deena and Maureen (Rosie Byrne and Amber Tiara) are starry-eyed aspiring actresses, newly arrived in New York in the 1970s, struggling to get their big break in theater. Stephen and Davia (Matthew Goodrich and Chelsea Spirito) are a pampered, wealthy young couple of the 1930s longing to move to Paris. Jason and Jessica (Isaac W. Jay and Jade Santana) are a chillingly self-absorbed “power couple” of the new millennium. Playwright Butterfield says she wants us “to think of the stage as a time machine,” and that goal is fully realized for our pleasure.
Of course, life happens, situations and personalities evolve, world events influence everyday living, and a little more than halfway through, the pace and stakes quicken. Historical pressures and unexpected events place stress—and sometimes sorrow—on the characters, leading some to change irrevocably and shatter what seemed like permanent connections. With Butterfield’s vision and the skilled direction of Ron West, the concept of the stage as a time machine is beautifully brought to life.
All six actors are excellent, evenly skilled, and dynamic, keeping the pace steady and the audience fully engaged in the actions, emotions, and dilemmas. Highly recommended!
(L-R) Chelsea Spirito and Matthew Goodrich, Jade Santana and Isaac W. Jay (Photos – Erin Clendenin)
Brownstone Written by Catherine Butterfield Directed by Ron West Starring Rosie Byrne, Matthew Goodrich, Isaac W. Jay, Jade Santana, Chelsea Spirito, Amber Tiara Produced by Carmella Jenkins and Beth Robbins Presented by Open Fist Theatre Company, Martha Demson, artistic director Open Fist Theater Atwater Village Theatre 3269 Casitas Avenue Los Angeles, CA 900 Tickets - $26-40 (including fees) openfist.org 323-882-6912
Leave a Reply