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<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align=center><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>Ensemble Theatre offers a
superb piece of short story storytelling<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></B></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal
align=center><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"
class=MsoNormal align=center><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Bob
Abelman<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"
class=MsoNormal align=center><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"
class=MsoNormal align=center><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">News-Herald,
Chagrin Valley Times, Solon Times,<o:p></o:p></SPAN></I></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"
class=MsoNormal align=center><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">The
Morning Journal, Geauga Times Courier<o:p></o:p></SPAN></I></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"
class=MsoNormal align=center><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Member,
American Theatre Critics Association <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"
class=MsoNormal align=center><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></I></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal
align=center><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">This
review will appear in the <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">News-Herald
</I></SPAN><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">on
11/25/11</SPAN><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>The extended
monologue—that is, one person, one story and a stage—has become a lost art form
in contemporary theater.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>If not
lost, it most certainly has lost its way, having transformed from a dramatic art
into a performance art.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>There are Sketch Comedy
Productions, such as David Sedaris’ <I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">SantaLand Diaries</I> (opening this week at
Cleveland Public Theatre), which offer character-driven storytelling with sitcom
simplicity.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN" lang=EN><FONT
size=3>Standup Self-Disclosures, such as John Leguizamo’s Broadway debut <I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Freak</I> and Billy Crystal’s Tony
Award-winning <I>700 Sundays</I><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic">,</SPAN> are another mutation.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Here standup comedians showcase their
power of observation by turning it inwards and molding isolated life experiences
into a composited biodramedy.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN"
lang=EN><o:p><FONT size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>A variation on this theme
are shows like Eve Ensler’s <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">The Vagina
Monologues</I>, which string together several short monologues that address a
related topic—in this case, the mysteries of the female anatomy—but have no
connective storyline. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>This is not to suggest
that these are lesser art forms… just different, and by different I mean less
meaty, less moving and significantly less theatrical than Ensemble Theatre’s
current production of <SPAN style="COLOR: black">Conor McPherson’s</SPAN> <I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN style="COLOR: #191919">St.
Nicholas</SPAN></I> .<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: black">Irish playwright Conor
McPherson has forged a career out of penning extended monologues that are
delightful pieces of short story storytelling. <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></SPAN><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: #191919">St.
Nicholas</SPAN></I><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: black"> is McPherson’s fourth
play.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: black"><FONT size=3>Each of his
plays share several defining attributes.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>They transpire over a short period of time, which generates a strong
sense of immediacy and urgency.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The
person telling the story directly addresses the audience throughout the
production, which creates an intimate atmosphere that is more confessional than
theatrical.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>These individuals are
overtly aware that they are telling a story and that they are its central
character.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This odd self-awareness
adds a touch of quirkiness that bites at the heels of the each play’s dramatic
conceit and propels its comedy.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: black"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: black"><FONT size=3>Also, each
of these plays is brilliantly written.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Conor McPherson is a master storyteller and his work overflows with vivid
imagery and passages that are both powerful and
poetic.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: black"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: black">As a result, McPherson’s
monologues are </SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">riveting,
resonating engagements that stir a strong audience response rather than the mere
audience reaction inspired by their performance art counterparts.
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>So good is <I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN style="COLOR: #191919">St.
Nicholas</SPAN></I><SPAN style="COLOR: black"> that it is thoroughly engaging
despite its highly implausible premise. <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The play features a middle-aged,
self-hating theater critic who, at the apex of his alcoholism and
disillusionment, befriends and becomes good-will ambassador for a colony of
vampires.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Armed or, rather, charmed
with newfound social graces, he lures young bar denizens to the vampires’
lair.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>After an evening of
living-dead seduction they are given euphoric amnesia and sent on their
way.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: black"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: black">What makes the Ensemble
Theatre production of </SPAN><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: #191919">St.
Nicholas</SPAN></I><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: black"> a theater experience
not to be missed is that the playwright, director Sarah May, and actor Dana Hart
are all on the same page.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Each is
singularly driven to tell a good story, and that they
do.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: black"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: black"><FONT size=3>Utilizing
Ian Hinz’s simple but strategic lighting and bare-bones set design, May has laid
a sure path and firm platform on which Hart can take creative risks.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>She understands both the humor and the
horror of our hero’s plight, and brings both to the
forefront.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>Hart is enchanting.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>He manages to make the play’s despicable
hero relatable, if not likeable, and does this through the sheer mastery of his
craft.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>His eye contact is
deep and probing, establishing a connection with the audience that reinforces
his character’s authenticity within this gothic fantasy.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We see his <SPAN
style="COLOR: black">character working his way through the fog of the unknown
and figuring out what is happening to him at the same time he reveals it. He,
like us, revels in his revelations.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: black"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: #191919">St.
Nicholas</SPAN></I><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: #191919"> —one </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">person, one story and a stage—is<SPAN
style="COLOR: #191919">, quite simply, a superb piece of theater.</SPAN><SPAN
style="COLOR: black"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: black"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: #191919; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">St.
Nicholas</SPAN></I><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: #191919; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">
</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic">continues
through December 11 </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">at the Ensemble
Theatre, </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN"
lang=EN>2843 Washington Blvd. in the Coventry neighborhood of Cleveland
Heights</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>For tickets, which range from $10 to
$20, call </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN"
lang=EN>216-321-2930 or visit <A href=""><FONT
color=#0000ff>www.ensemble-theatre.org</FONT></A>.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>