1. 12/06/2009 10:41Nashville Arts - Inside view - page 1
Page 1 of 2http://www.nashvillescene.com/2005-09-29/arts/inside-view/
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Inside view
Rhubarb Theatre gives unerring glimpse into the lives of
insecure urban denizens
Rachel Gladstone Nemuth
Published on September 29, 2005
Audiences are likely familiar with Craig Lucas’ work through two disparate
plays, Longtime Companion and Prelude to a Kiss: the 1990 screen
adaptation of the former was among the first Hollywood films to address the
AIDS crisis, while the latter made its way to the screen in a weightless film
version starring Meg Ryan. For its current production, Rhubarb Theatre
Company has delved deeper into Lucas’ varied catalog, pulling out the 1984
play The Blue Window. Centering around a Manhattan dinner party, The
Blue Window follows the seven guests as they prepare for the evening
before making their way to hostess Libby’s apartment. In the opening scene,
they’re all positioned onstage together, yet viewed in their respective
apartments. The dialogue weaves in and out of invisible walls as the
determinedly reluctant Libby (Stacey Shaffer) rushes around in slip and
pearls, phoning her friend Griever (Michael Roark) for culinary advice. Tom
(John Vasile) labors with guitar and notebook as he explains his unfinished
composition to girlfriend Emily (Carey Kotsionis). Family therapist Boo (Trish
Moalla) listens alternately to the Flashdancesoundtrack and an Italian
language tape, while her lover Alice (Arita Trahan) banters about the book
she’s writing. Norbert (Clay Hillwig) remains a bit of a mystery, as he sits
alone in his apartment. Once they’re assembled at Libby’s, the evening
starts haltingly and only begins to loosen as the cocktails take effect.
Though they don’t share much in common, we begin to see these seven
characters as a reflection of their city: a group of strangers who somehow
manage to interact, yet never quite connect. Lucas’ flair for conversational
dialogue, plump with humor and nuance, renders what might otherwise be a
contemplative drama into a roaring comedy. In her standout performance as
the candid, spontaneously funny Boo, Trish Moalla sets the play’s lively
rhythm, while Carey Kotsionis serves as the grounding force with her
haunting rendition of “The Same Thing (Office Girl’s Lament).” The play’s
innate staging challenges are never evident, thanks to director Julie
Alexander’s flawless choreography of overlapping dialogue and emotional
dynamics. In the last scene, we see the characters once again at home,
finally able to let down their guard and reveal themselves. In the process,
Lucas asks us why we fight so hard to hide our insecurities, when it is these
very things that unite us. In Alexander’s unerring hands, aided by a solid
cast and smart staging, The Blue Window allows us to see that, though we
are all pieces of an intricate puzzle, when you put the pieces together, you
still have a puzzle. It is our humanity that both separates us and unites us—
but along the way, it’s fun to have dinner with friends. In the last scene, we
see the characters once again at home, finally able to let down their guard
and reveal themselves. In the process, Lucas asks us why we fight so hard
to hide our insecurities, when it is these very things that unite us. In
Alexander’s unerring hands, aided by a solid cast and smart staging, The
Blue Window allows us to see that, though we are all pieces of an intricate
puzzle, when you put the pieces together, you still have a puzzle. It is our
humanity that both separates us and unites us—but along the way, it’s fun
to have dinner with friends. The Blue Window runs 7:30 p.m. Sept. 29, 30
and Oct. 1 at Darkhorse Theater. For tickets, call 386-3551.
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![12/06/2009 10:41Nashville Arts - Inside view - page 1
Page 1 of 2http://www.nashvillescene.com/2005-09-29/arts/inside-view/
Share
Related Stories ...
Our Critics Picks
September 22, 2005
Rhubarb Theatre stages original script
by new artistic director Trish Crist
June 11, 2009
Rhubarb's What at Darkhorse Theater
June 4, 2009
Marry Me a Little at Darkhorse Theater
March 5, 2009
Marry Me a Little at Boiler Room
Theatre
March 5, 2009
Most Popular
Recent Blog Posts
So, Who Did the Archaeological Survey at
the May Town Center Site?
[Pith in the Wind] Thu Jun 11, 8:00 PM
David Letterman Apologizes to Sarah Palin
-- Kind Of
[Pith in the Wind] Thu Jun 11, 4:59 PM
Governor Threatens State Budget Veto;
Republicans in Retreat
[Pith in the Wind] Thu Jun 11, 4:46 PM
Gun Freaks Surrender to Common Sense,
Agree to Leave Our Children Alone
[Pith in the Wind] Thu Jun 11, 1:46 PM
Should Government Force People to Buy
Health Insurance?
[Pith in the Wind] Thu Jun 11, 1:00 PM
Ragamuffin Parking Lot: Coldplay at
write to the editor | email a friend | print article | write your comment
Inside view
Rhubarb Theatre gives unerring glimpse into the lives of
insecure urban denizens
Rachel Gladstone Nemuth
Published on September 29, 2005
Audiences are likely familiar with Craig Lucas’ work through two disparate
plays, Longtime Companion and Prelude to a Kiss: the 1990 screen
adaptation of the former was among the first Hollywood films to address the
AIDS crisis, while the latter made its way to the screen in a weightless film
version starring Meg Ryan. For its current production, Rhubarb Theatre
Company has delved deeper into Lucas’ varied catalog, pulling out the 1984
play The Blue Window. Centering around a Manhattan dinner party, The
Blue Window follows the seven guests as they prepare for the evening
before making their way to hostess Libby’s apartment. In the opening scene,
they’re all positioned onstage together, yet viewed in their respective
apartments. The dialogue weaves in and out of invisible walls as the
determinedly reluctant Libby (Stacey Shaffer) rushes around in slip and
pearls, phoning her friend Griever (Michael Roark) for culinary advice. Tom
(John Vasile) labors with guitar and notebook as he explains his unfinished
composition to girlfriend Emily (Carey Kotsionis). Family therapist Boo (Trish
Moalla) listens alternately to the Flashdancesoundtrack and an Italian
language tape, while her lover Alice (Arita Trahan) banters about the book
she’s writing. Norbert (Clay Hillwig) remains a bit of a mystery, as he sits
alone in his apartment. Once they’re assembled at Libby’s, the evening
starts haltingly and only begins to loosen as the cocktails take effect.
Though they don’t share much in common, we begin to see these seven
characters as a reflection of their city: a group of strangers who somehow
manage to interact, yet never quite connect. Lucas’ flair for conversational
dialogue, plump with humor and nuance, renders what might otherwise be a
contemplative drama into a roaring comedy. In her standout performance as
the candid, spontaneously funny Boo, Trish Moalla sets the play’s lively
rhythm, while Carey Kotsionis serves as the grounding force with her
haunting rendition of “The Same Thing (Office Girl’s Lament).” The play’s
innate staging challenges are never evident, thanks to director Julie
Alexander’s flawless choreography of overlapping dialogue and emotional
dynamics. In the last scene, we see the characters once again at home,
finally able to let down their guard and reveal themselves. In the process,
Lucas asks us why we fight so hard to hide our insecurities, when it is these
very things that unite us. In Alexander’s unerring hands, aided by a solid
cast and smart staging, The Blue Window allows us to see that, though we
are all pieces of an intricate puzzle, when you put the pieces together, you
still have a puzzle. It is our humanity that both separates us and unites us—
but along the way, it’s fun to have dinner with friends. In the last scene, we
see the characters once again at home, finally able to let down their guard
and reveal themselves. In the process, Lucas asks us why we fight so hard
to hide our insecurities, when it is these very things that unite us. In
Alexander’s unerring hands, aided by a solid cast and smart staging, The
Blue Window allows us to see that, though we are all pieces of an intricate
puzzle, when you put the pieces together, you still have a puzzle. It is our
humanity that both separates us and unites us—but along the way, it’s fun
to have dinner with friends. The Blue Window runs 7:30 p.m. Sept. 29, 30
and Oct. 1 at Darkhorse Theater. For tickets, call 386-3551.
Advanced Archive Search >>
Now Click This
Bar Wars - The Return
Of The Happy Hour
Your Are So Nashville
If.....
Free Stuff
Movies in the Park
2009
Facebook
A Nashville cop's fall from power to
prison
Headed for Splitsville? Just hope your
spouse doesn't hire Rose Palermo
Craigslist besieged by politicians, cops
and the media
Three new hot spots satisfy Music
City's hankering for below-$10 lunches
Hey, young Nashville band—want a
major-label deal? Read this first.
Weekly
Music
Promotions
Dining
Events
Subscribe
GoE-Mail Address
Arts
Related Articles Related Topics
Viewed Commented Emailed
NEWS BLOGS RESTAURANTS BARS / CLUBS CALENDAR MUSIC MOVIES ARTS BEST OF CLASSIFIEDS PROMOTIONS SEARCH THE ADS
Sign up for latest info on concerts, dining, promotions and more!
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