Displaying items by tag: Northlight Theatre
John Mahoney and Penny Slusher Create Stage Magic in Chapatti
In Christian O’Reilly’s Chapatti, what you get are two superb performances by two very gifted actors in John Mahoney and Penny Slusher. Directed by Artistic Director BJ Jones, Chapatti is the dark and often humorous story about the importance of companionship.
Taking place in Dublin, Ireland, we meet Dan and Betty, each lonely animal lovers, who cross paths and enter an unlikely, but much needed relationship. Dan has lost his wife, Martha, years earlier and plans to hang himself to be with her as he confesses that she needs him and is waiting for him and that she is “Incomplete without me”. As the show progresses it becomes obvious that Dan is projecting his own feelings on Martha.
Chapatti is filled with a gentle warmth at times – and can be quite cute, as the two get to know one another, but it also surrenders to heavy emotional conflicts, where stage veteran Mahoney really delivers. Really touching on how one must feel to yearn for a lost love, Chapatti depicts an astute picture of emptiness but also presents a sense of hope and how one can be freed from the shackles of despair at the most unexpected moment. Chapatti is about the bravery to move forward no matter how unfamiliar and scary it may seem.
Slusher and Mahoney are equally impressive in their performances, embracing their roles of a dog and cat lover and creating a believable romance by two people so very desperate to have someone in their lives. It’s a love heals all theme that kicks self-pitying oneself to the curb.
Chapatti is playing at Northlight Theatre through April 13th. For more information and/or tickets, visit www.northlight.org or call 847-673-6300. Northlight Theatre is located at 9501 Skokie Boulevard in Skokie.
Detriot ’67 at Northlight Delivers
Currently playing at Northlight Theatre, here is a powerful play directed by Ron OJ Parson and written by Dominique Morisseau. Though the play starts on a lighter note and can be quite humorous at times, a feeling of impending heaviness grows as we get deeper into the story. Focusing on a brother (“Lank”) and his sister (“Chelle”) that live together in their late parents’ home, we get a glimpse of an era that is both riddled with ignorant hatred but also flows with a hope for a better future.
Set in the titled year of 1967, Detroit ’67 gives us an in depth look at a family in the midst of the race riots that ran rampant in the streets of Detroit. The play argues that racist cops were mostly to blame for the riots pointing out the fact that white law enforcement took advantage of their position, making it a living hell in black communities where they inflicted their hate crimes.
Chelle and Lank run an afterhours club in their basement and though they often clash about how to invest the family money left to them, it is apparent that nothing can truly get between them, as we can see a strong bond throughout the play. Their daily existence is uprooted when Lank brings in a white girl (“Caroline”) home that was beaten and left for dead. With nowhere else to go, Chelle and Lank offer her temporary residence so long as she helps around the house. As time goes on, Lank and Caroline develop a connection and realize that they are very similar despite the color of their skin. At the same time, Lank and his best friend, “Sly”, who has a genuine interest in Chelle, are making plans to open a bar using the family money. The story unfolds nicely and gives the audience a true feeling of family and friendship.
Tyla Abercrombie and Kamal Angelo Bolden are both sensational in their roles as brother and sister really projecting the closeness of their relationship, making their characters immensely believable. It should also be noted that Kelvin Roston Jr. also delivers an ignited performance as “Sly”. The entire show takes place in a basement setting that becomes comfortable within its first few minutes.
“Detroit ’67” is both thought provoking and humorous but it’s the show’s overall message of hope and change that dominates as it should. Playing at Northlight Theatre through December 15th, “Detroit ‘67” is a well written, well-acted play that is thoroughly entertaining.
For more information on “Detroit ’67 visit www.Northlight.org.
*Above photo by Michael Brosilow
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