Monday, March 9, 2015

Striking Performance, Powerful Subjects Found in "Searching for Self"

By Guest Blogger, Hope R. Rose
Hope is a freelance photographer and photojournalist. She has been published in Next Level Magazine, Delawareblack.com, el Hoy and other regional publications.

A past performance by Pieces of A Dream dance company.
Expectations and assumptions were not just what I found, as I rushed down to Wilmington Drama League to catch “Searching for Self,” performed by Pieces of a Dream modern dance company.
I assumed and expected to see the athleticism, skewed forms of ballet, along interpretation of some familiar music. I assumed it would be some familiar protagonist, supporting dancers, lights, fabric and all that other good stuff seen in other past dance performances.  What I did NOT expect was the challenge of taking on hidden topics of suicide, depression, along with current social issues that we as a society are “dealing with.”  It was definitely a performance that I am still “thinking” about and how I wish more youth had an opportunity to see.
The choices of music spanned from jazz, folk, hip-hop, rock. The performance was the eighth annual concert performance for Wilmington, hosted at the Wilmington Drama League on March 6 & 7, 2015.
Ashley SK Davis is the Executive and Artistic Director and brainchild for this premier modern dance company. She continues to grow and exceed my assumptions and expectations, every time I witness their performances.

See www.piecesofadream.org.

Thursday, March 5, 2015

Check out the Chorale Scene Across All Three Counties (VIDEO)

Content originally posted by ContentDelaware.org.

The Delaware Division of the Arts is dedicated to nurturing and supporting the arts to enhance the quality of life for all Delawareans. 

Take a whirlwind tour of the thriving community chorale scene in all three counties in Delaware, with behind-the-scenes visits to the Delaware Choral Society, Rainbow Chorale, and the Southern Delaware Chorale

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE CONTENT DELAWARE VIDEO>>>

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Bootless Stageworks' "Bug" is a Creepy-Crawly Experience!


Melissa Kearney, Geremy Webne-Berhman,
David Hastings and Heather Ferrel in Bug.
I LOVE Tracy Letts! He’s a masterful playwright who’s biting humor peeks through the dark depths of his plays. His psychological thriller, Bug is quite an experience. The play is an engrossing piece of theater -- questioning how far someone will believe in another person’s distorted reality, because of the need to connect with another human.

Director and Scenic Designer Rosanne DellAversano has created a grim environment, which is needed for this ominous tale. Her vision keeps the audience engaged and questioning what will happen next.

Set in a Motel 6-like room in Oklahoma, where a honky-tonk waitress, Agnes White (Heather Ferrel) lives, drinks and does drugs with her friend, Roni (Melissa Kearney), and hides from her abusive ex-husband (David Hastings) who has recently been released from jail. One day Roni visits Agnes and brings a man, Peter (Geremy Webne-Berhman), whom she has recently met. While Roni leaves, Peter stays and begins a fast and tumultuous relationship with Agnes.

Peter has a questionable past. He believes the military has contaminated his body and is now conspiring against him. He draws the lonely and vulnerable Agnes into his twisted world. His reality becomes an escape for Agnes, who is trying to forget her melancholy past and connect emotionally and physically with a new man.

Ms. Ferrel and Mr. Webne-Berhman are compelling as Agnes and Peter. She evokes great sadness and despair, while he evokes madness and fear; think Norman Bates, appearing innocent, but truly menacing. Mr. Webne-Berhman’s glaring eyes easily make the skin crawl -- like feeling a bug walking up your arm. However, it is hard to understand him towards the end of the play, due to his lisp caused by his character’s self-induced mouth-infliction.

Bug is not for the faint of heart, but it is a unique play that will ignite great conversation after leaving the theater. Bug runs through March 14, at St. Stephen’s (1301 Broom Street, Wilmington).

See www.bootless.org.