A Review of Macbeth

by Matthew Falduto
Photos by S. Benjamin Farrar

Iowa City – I’ve said it many times before, but it bears repeating – there is something magical about enjoying theatre in the outdoors, with chirping birds and a gentle breeze adding to the experience. The sun sets as the play progresses, which is perfectly appropriate for a tragedy like Macbeth, which was presented by Riverside Theatre on the festival stage in City Park last weekend.

A Review of Relativity

Photo by Bob Goodfellow

by Matthew Falduto

Iowa City – Riverside’s latest production, Relativity by Mark St. Germain, asks the question, “Which is more important, to be a great man or to be a good man?” Greatness is personified by the character of Albert Einstein, perhaps the most brilliant scientist of the 20th century. However, we learn that Einstein, while certainly great, was never a good man, as he abandoned his wife and children. All of this comes out as Einstein is interviewed by Margaret Harding, who claims to be a reporter, though it’s pretty obvious in the first few minutes that there’s more to her than meets the eye.

A Review of Lady Macbeth and Her Pal, Megan

by Matthew Falduto

Iowa City – I feel I should open the review with a witty comment since I’m reviewing Megan Gogerty’s latest show and she’s master of the witty. But try as I might, I got nothing. So I’ll just cut to the chase. You really need to see Lady Macbeth and Her Pal, Megan. Come for the comedy, and stay for the life changing moments. As a father of three girls, I have to say: Bring your teenage daughters. Just don’t tell them how cool Gogerty is lest you undermine her coolness before they arrive at Riverside Theatre.

A Review of A View from the Bridge

by Michele Payne

Iowa City – Riverside Theatre’s production of Arthur Miller’s A View from the Bridge is stark, compelling and hot. The play tells the story of Eddie Carbone, a dockworker in Brooklyn, who, like many tragic heroes before him, values honor above everything but cannot for the life of him manage to be an honorable man. Director Sean Christopher Lewis says in a Director’s Staging Note on the theatre’s website, “I thought about Greek tragedies (the way Arthur Miller, himself, described this play) and the way the tragedy of a single man never stopped at the man.”

Catching up…

 

So November was a busy month for the editors of the Iowa Theatre Blog and we’re a little behind on telling you about some shows that opened recently… so here’s our catch-up post.

A Review of The Taming

Iowa City – Are we all sick of politics? I know I am. But I’ll tell you what I’m not sick of – funny people skewering the political landscape. I have been enjoying Saturday Night Live and John Oliver’s witty take on the insanity that is our political process. If that sort of political satire is your thing, you’ll definitely want to check out Riverside Theatre’s latest production, The Taming by Lauren Gunderson. 

Riverside Jumps into Politics with The Taming

Iowa City – With 2016 being an election year, Riverside Theatre wanted a play that put a satirical spin on politics.

The Taming fit perfectly.

So Much Theatre!

Grace and Glorie at ITAC in Amana

This is one of those weekends when there’s almost too much theatre going on. Here’s a quick recap of all of your theatre going options for the weekend.

A Review of Black and Blue

by Matthew Falduto
Photos by Bob Goodfellow

The topic of police brutality on African Americans is one of the most important issues  today. Newly installed Riverside Artistic Director Sean Lewis wanted to kick off the season with a play about this topic, but as he noted in his curtain speech, he couldn’t find one that he felt was suitable. So he did what artists often do – he wrote it himself. Supported by strong acting from all four actors, the play raises the issues and should spark conversations, but ultimately feels like a work in progress.

Riverside Takes On Police Brutality with Black and Blue

*Riverside press release*

Iowa City – Questions about police brutality have made plenty of headlines in the news, but they are rarely explored in the theatre.

Riverside Theatre Artistic Director Sean Christopher Lewis wants to change that. That’s why he’s writing and directing a world premiere play, Black and Blue, that will open on Riverside’s stage September 9 and continue through September 25.