"The Oz Chronicles"- Follow the Yellow Brick Road...

Brelby is known for their upscale, jaw dropping summer epics that make you sit on the edge of your seat, and motivate you to invest in a gym membership. The Oz Chronicles being their third, it was clear that expectations would be raised, and limits would be challenged. Low and behold, they did not disappoint. As I sat by two of my closest friends with all of our hands grabbing each other with anticipation from one scene to the next, it was so apparent that we were definitely not in Arizona anymore. 

Play in a Nutshell: The land of OZ has been taken under control by the Wicked Witch of the North, Mombi and her loyal subjects. With the power of evil, she has managed to wipe out the memories of Oz from its citizens, creating a sense of terror throughout the land. Now, it is up to Ozma, their original graceful leader, Dorothy, and her other loving subjects including a promising Girl and Boy to overthrow Mombi's dominance, and bring peace back to Oz.

First of all, the design elements in this show made me speechless. Though Theatre Works is not their usual home for their summer epics, they have definitely taken the creative freedom (and rightfully so) to adapt to their environment by providing this production with gorgeous scenery by Brian Maticic; colorfully intricate lighting by Mollie Flanagan; beautifully crafted puppets by Mia Passarella; trendy and playful costumes by Carolyn McBurney; thoughtful and complex hair and make up by Melody Chrispen; charming underscore by Jessica Holt; effective props by Jean Hailey, and innovative media design by Fernando Perez. Creating a land as complex and bold as Oz is a beast in itself, and these effects alone made it easy for the audience to become engrossed into the story immediately.

But what is a show without its actors? And boy, has Brian Maticic cast this show with careful thought and creativity. It was so refreshing to see not only Brelby veterans take on bold and exciting personalities outside their comfort zones, but also notice a plethora of new and friendly faces making their Brelby debut. The cast works together effortlessly, providing each other with loving care and boisterous gusto with every swing of their sword or kick of their heel. It is not a show featuring 27 individual performances, it is an ensemble of 27 hands creating magic together with fire and imagination.

Shelby Maticic's writing brings Baum's precious childhood books seamlessly from the page to the stage, crafting the characters we all know and love with witty dialogue and a fresh layer of skin. Especially considering the amount of books that were used to build the script, the amount of flow and consistency featured in Maticic's play provides the audience with a strong tale to be adored by Oz fanatics young and old. 

Brian Maticic's directing in both performance and fight choreography create the land of Oz for the dreamer in all of us. With his patience and eagerness, he has adapted brilliantly to the environment i nhis blocking and stage combat. To consider this production as a spectacle is an understatement; the amount of heart, dedication, and momentum that is splashed onto the stage is an example of why Brelby is so good at what they do. Case in point- if you want a night of thrilling and entertaining theatre, go see this show.

The Oz Chronicles has its final showings this weekend. Be sure to check it out for its limited run! Tickets can be purchased at brelby.com or at the door.

Location: Theatre Works (Peoria Center for Performing Arts)
Show Dates and Times: August 18-20 @ 7:30, August 20-21 @ 3pm

Cast: 

Boy: Jared Queen
Girl: Kristiana Faddoul
Smith: Luke Gomez
Tinker: Clayton Caufman
Ozma: Shelby Maticic
Mombi: Megan O'connor
Dorothy: Jessie Tully
The Hungry Tiger: Devon Mahon
The Cowardly Lion: Tim Mccandless
Captain Fyter: Mat Vansen
Jinjur: Anabel Olguin
Ervic: Jaren Navenma
Gryphon: Zachary Arnold
Unicorn: Bertha Cortes
Polychrome: Kim See
West: Chelsea Jauregui
East- Megan Olsen
South: Chavez Benally
Jester: Van Rockwell
The Tin Man: David Magadan
Zeb Hugson: Brandon Sanchez
Lurline: Ilana Lydia
Locasta: Sheryl Willaims
Toodles: Shandi Mortenson
China Girl: Maria Hailey
Margaret: Mary-Elizabeth Gilbertson
Bristle: Gabriel Escudero

Design Team:
Playwright: Shelby Maticic

Director/Scenic Designer: Brian Maticic

Media Designer: Fernando Perez
Lighting Designer: Mollie Flanagan
Costume Designer: Carolyn McBurney
Hair & Makeup Designer: Melody Chrispen
Sound Design: Jessica Holt
Props Design: Jean Hailey
Puppet Designer: Mia Passarella

Meet the Dryers: Instagram Dat!

Social media is a companion to all of us. It connects us to our friends, it boosts our self-esteem, it allows us to interact with anyone we like without having to put on pants. But what happens when we allow it to change who we are? What is the damage that can be done when we hide behind a screen, and create the life we want others to believe? Meet the Dryers at Brelby Theatre Company provokes these questions to be asked in the best ways possible- with a turkey, a cellphone, and lots of wine. 

Playwright's Synopsis:  "Meet the Dryers follows the story of James, an introverted 16 year old, who finds solace and acknowledgement through the extreme embellishment of stories about his real life family for his followers online. Our audiences will experience the fantastical world of James’ imagination played out onstage, as well as a glimpse into the personalities of his quirky family through their social media interactions, displayed prominently on the stage for the audience to see. When his stories begin to spin out of control, James begins to question whether he is in control of his online presence, or whether it is controlling him. Meet the Dryers is an exploration of how social media impacts our lives, no matter which generation you hail from".

The cast features the lovable Brelby Ensemble, one of the many strong choices made by director, Shelby Maticic. Because of the natural chemistry already established between the Brelby bunch, every moment of brilliant dysfunctional chaos seems effortless; it does not take a rocket science to see the amount of love these individuals have for one another. Bold is an understatement for this production, as it features not only an impressive use of visual and technological effects, but also a wide range of eccentric characters ranging from adorkable to fierce. Mat Vansen captures the moody, imaginative teenager, James Dryer, with sass and sincerity. He displays the social media addict in all of us in a lighthearted, and ridiculously truthful manner. The beloved "old married couple", Joan and Mark Dryer, are wholesomely played by Melody Chrispen and Cody Goulder. These are the parents you ask before every birthday party to stay upstairs in order to avoid embarrassment, and Chrispen and Goulder create the adoring connection we all hope to grow old with one day. On the other side of the couple train, April Rideout and Fernando Perez play the not so lovey-dovey Alex and Maria Jennings. The relationship they have created establishes a very important theme within the play, that the best form of communication is when two people are face to face. 

Shelby Maticic, makes a darling appearance as Minnie Presely, the smart, genuine librarian. Shelby gives nothing but a sincere performance filled with pose and ambition. Poor Minnie is the single pringle we all hate to be at family gatherings, and Maticic's portrayal allows us to find a little sense of humor and heart within ourselves. Mia Passarella graces the stage again as the beautiful "girl next door" Rena Dryer- the token sister any family would be lucky to have. Passarella manages to balance the innocence and curiosity of a blossoming young woman, causing you to want to pinch her cheeks, or maybe ask her out on a date. Bring in the high school heart-throb Liam Dryer played by Devon Mahon, and you have a sibling match made in heaven. Mahon's delivery as the family's "golden boy" is distinct and grounded; the sibling that takes on the responsibility of keeping the family in one piece. Brian Maticic playing Hiram Finkel creates the precious next door neighbor we all wanted to have as an adopted sibling. Brian's performance of Hiram is definitely a show stealer, next to Megan O'Connor's sensual, saucy portrayal of Grandma Corky, who makes you both cringe and fall in love with her all in the same moment. With all of these characters in one room, it is only expected for chaos to be the main entree of the meal. However with connection, heart, and spirit, this cast of top notch actors create a fresh take on the modern American family that we all find in our everyday lives. 

Playwrights Megan O'Conner, Shelby Maticic, and Luke Gomez hand us a play that reflect the family we go home to every night. With witty dialogue, and heartfelt moments, these writers have created a world that capture the delicious hell storm a family gathering can bring. Involving the use of technology adds the complication of today's technological obsessed world; how to truly stay connected to our loved ones without allowing a vibrating IPhone get in the way of an old-fashion conversation. 

Meet the Dryers captures the family dinner we experience every holiday season; a night filled with love, disaster, and sex tips from Grandma. Brelby Theatre Company has made Season 8 a year of innovation and creativity, and this production is the epitome of that very mission.

To purchase tickets, visit brelby.com/tickets. **Contains strong adult language and material. Mature audiences preferred.**

Show Dates:

April 15th-16th, 22nd-23rd, 29th @ 7:30 pm

April 16th-17th, 23rd-24th, 30th @ 2pm

missing grace- Brelby's Finest Drama

    missing grace written by the valley's most valued playwright, John Perovich, opened at the Brelby studio this past weekend. As a Brelby regular, I was intrigued by their commitment to keeping the plot of this new work a mystery. When I walked into the studio opening night, my interest grew even deeper as I saw a bare stage before me, with only a refrigerator to set the scene. As the lights went down, and the powerful Mia Passerella locked eyes with her audience, I became completely sucked into the heartbreak and anguish of the intricately crafted characters that unraveled before me. 

   The story centers around Grace and Robert, a modern, middle-aged couple who are dealing with the loss of their ten-year-old son, Billy. Though Grace and Robert are desperately trying to conduct the appearance of a normal life with the support of Grace's young and beautifully intoxicating cousin Allison, Grace seems to fall deeper through the rabbit hole of her wounded mind. With a birthday cake, and a fire burning in each of their hearts, the family is left to deal with the consequences of the past, and the reality of a new beginning.

    Mia Passerella is breathtaking as Grace. The moment she walks onto the stage, her eyes tell the tale of a woman with an aching heart. The fire within them spread into her soul, connecting each moment with extreme depth, and passionate delivery. The amount of empathy she expresses for a mother with a broken heart is absolutely extraordinary. I found myself having trouble catching my breath multiple times throughout the show. Bring in her counter part Matt Clarke who plays Robert Davis, and you have the makings of a dynamite duo. The two go together like fine wine and cheese, delicately matching their broken hearts to complete one other. Clarke is a powerhouse on his own; his performance of a man crumbling under the weight of reality allows the audience to see both sides of the tarnished coin. Allison Bauer as the "middle man" (or shall I say, woman), brings an adoring complexity to the play. One of the strongest choices Perovich has made is not allowing Allison to seem like a secondary character in the chaos of Grace and Robert's predicament. He sets her up as an equal part in all the craziness, and Bauer rises up to the challenge, establishing her character as the voice of reason. As individuals, they provide the audience with ultimate tenderness. As a trio, they set fire to the melting candle.

    Perovich has written a drama that will pull at your heart strings. He has mastered the ability to bring a sense of truth to the experience of grieving, without overwhelming the audience, or playing the emotion. Perovich has always provided the Brelby studio with works that connect to one's subconscious. I have no doubt that missing grace in particular will make its way into theatres around the valley. As always, director Brian Maticic lives up to his reputation of digging deep into the text, and finding shining layers of gold. It is obvious in the work itself how collaborative this piece was with the entire creative team, and to witness it's magic on a bare stage was truly a pleasure to see.

    missing grace recognizes the missing pieces in all of us. It inspires new beginnings; it forces us to face the demons we try to hide in our closets. Most importantly, it provides comfort to those in suffering, and sparks hope for a better tomorrow. missing grace has its final showings this weekend. Tickets can be bought both online brelby.com, and in person. Feel free to call 623-282-2781 for more information.


Showings:
Thursday @ 7:30
Friday @ 7:30
Saturday @ 2pm



     

Windfall: Brelby Theatre Company

Brelby Theatre Company just kicked off their eight season with an original dark comedy, Windfall written by the ever talented, Brian Maticic. Being a Brelby artist, it was unusual for me to attend one of their opening nights completely clueless as to what I was about to see. Low and behold, what they revealed was some of the most intoxicating pieces of theatre I have seen in awhile.

The play follows three best friends; Owen, Trent, and Olivia, who is also Trent's girlfriend. Trent, an endearing slacker, has depended on Owen's responsible nature all of his life. However, their friendship is tested when Trent finds himself in an awful financial frenzy. As reality starts to wake Trent up from his long, overdue slumber, Trent fakes his own death to escape the eye of his storm. This situation becomes even more complicated when it is found out that Trent has won the lottery. With multiple twists and turns, you follow this trio of friends as they try to protect their lives together through the hell storm Trent has caused.

First of all, Devon Mahon is exceptional as Trent, approaching each moment with effortless sincerity and humor. He has made Trent into a character that even though may infuriate you, you can't help but adore his presence when he appears onstage. David Magadan captures Owen's heart. Seeing Magadan in multiple productions at Brelby, it was beautiful to see him bring life to a character who is so delicately loving. The lovely Shelby Maticic has you in the palm of her hand throughout the entire show, making Olivia the beautiful and selfless "girl next door", who will steal any man's heart the moment she smiles at them. It was obvious to see that Olivia is the rock for both of these boys, and Maticic delivers each line with radiant ease, and positivity.

However, no story is complete without a tight bunch of strong supporting characters. Megan O'Conner gives a heartbreaking performance as Trent's mother, Theresa, pouring every ounce of her soul into each scene she graces her presence in. Seeing O'Conner dive into her dramatic acting chops was refreshing. I could see multiple women wiping tears from their face during her many emotional monologues. On the other side of the "mama" coin, Chelsea Jauregui is a hoot as Owen's mother, finding a perfect balance between caring mother, and girl's crazy best friend. Also a difficult role, Jauregui handles her character with energy and fun, lighting up some of the more darker moments with her hilarious comedic timing. Wearing multiple different hats (or shall I say wigs?), Mat Vansen gives multiple distinct performances as Randy, and other walk-ins. Every play needs "the character guy" to enter, and steal the scene, and Vansen does just that with dedication, and effortless flare. 

Brian Maticic has written a rich, thought provoking piece with dialogue that seems to just roll of an actors tongue. It is not hard to feel entranced into the world he has created with his ability to pull our heart strings one minute, and make us cry from laughter the next. I have no doubt this play will be produced again, hopefully even published for all the world to read. Of course, no show can be put together without a fearless leader, and Fernando Perez, the director, has done some remarkable work. He has managed to believably create a slice of real life in a world of absurdity. I hope that he will continue to pursue his talent in future projects.

All and all, Windfall is theatrical roller coaster. It takes you through hoops; it raises questions; it pushes boundaries. Good dark comedies are hard to come by, and this one is definitely a memorable piece of theatre. 

Windfall continues this weekend, and closes next Saturday, the 13th. Hop onto brelby.com, or call (623) 282-2781 to secure tickets before they are all gone!