The Players' Ring reopens with 'Barefoot in the Park'
PORTSMOUTH - Finally, the long-awaited reopening of The Players' Ring is here.
The Players' Ring will launch its 2021-2022 season with "Barefoot in the Park" on Sept. 18, with fingers crossed - along with patrons who waited 16 months for this moment - in hopes it remains fully functional for the duration.
There was a lot of deliberation and considerations going into the season, Players' Ring Board Member Ed Simeone says.
"There were probably two major processes we had to undergo. The first was to honor the expanded mission, which is to present high quality original work, and to continue to offer opportunity to the region's creative artists. (Also) we were focused on broadening and diversifying what we offer to audiences and engage new producers and creative artists while reengaging artists who had performed at the Ring in the past," Simeone says. "The second process was how do we deal with the uncertainty of COVID-19. Just when we thought it was waning, a variety appears and forces us to go back to our artists and business model to understand what we can do, should the situation worsen."
Per usual, the Ring will present a mix of original and established plays and genres.
First up is "Barefoot in the Park," one of three shows the Ring will produce, up from its usual single, annual in-house production.
While the Players' Ring took on production responsibilities, it put playwright, actor, producer and director Brett Reis in charge of the art, including title selection. Reis opted for a traditional script over one of his originals.
"I chose 'Barefoot' because it's what fits into the rest of their season. They had a lot of holdovers from the pre-COVID season. So a lot was decided before they asked me," Reis says. "What they were really missing was comedy; there was a lot of drama and they had a lot of original plays. So, it seemed they needed an established comedy to round it out."
"Barefoot" held lots of appeal for Reis. The Neil Simon play ("one of his best," according to Reis) hadn't been done for some time locally. In addition, his co-star and life partner Katie Juster, who plays Corie to Reis's Paul, was long interested in the script so, "it checked a lot of boxes," Reis says.
Next, he filled out the creative team.
His 10 years in the region's theaters allowed him to "grab designers I trust and a director who the project was perfect for, I think."
That director is Michael Towle. Reis and Towle have worked together numerous times, "and he always cracks me up, and audiences, too. So, I thought he'd be a good steward.
"I have to tell you, I have the hardest time not cracking up on stage working with Michael," Reis adds. "He's just very funny. So, yeah it's going to be fun."
Towle's approach is "base the piece in truth ... and not ham-fist," he says. " And he's finding a way for it to be relevant, but keeping it light at the same time."
"Barefoot" is followed by "9.12," an original by Nashua English teacher Walter Freeman. Players' Ring Managing Director Matthew Parent directs, his first time doing so at the venue.
The play was read as part of the Ring Readers Club (a reading and discussion group), and selected for the season after its revision for its "uncanny sense for capturing voices, ... and timelessness in terms of its message," Simeone said.
Parent concurs.
"Its story is set in Boston the day after the World Trade attack. It's a play about what happened to America on that day and is still happening," Parent says. "It's about a family, and is funny and terrifying - but a lot funny. It's a tight comedy, but deals with a serious subject. It's really, really a terrific story.
Next up, a Dive In Productions selection for the first of three, one-weekend alternative programming slots Dive In Productions will oversee this season.
"They're in the process of making recommendations," Simeone says. "This is maybe stand-up comedy, or a cabaret ... something different."
The following slot is being finalized, to be announced soon.
Andrew Pinard's "Discovering Magic'' returns the last weekend in November.
"It's always a real eye-opener for adults and children," Simeone says. "He's a great performer within that genre - magic - and always has something new for the audience."
The holiday season offers two productions, "Christmas Carol" and "Toymaker's Apprentice," both overseen by Jennifer Towle.
"What is exciting about this year is that Jen Towle is going to be adapting and directing a new ('Carol')," Simeone says. "I'm confident it will be a very exciting production."
"Toymaker's Apprentice," a children's theater piece, will run on weekend mornings during the "Christmas Carol" run.
2021 ends with "Lady Ro Drag New Year's Party,"
"This is completely new for the Ring," Simeone says. "The only snippet I have is it's an exciting drag show, ... and it has a cult-like following."
The 2021 leg starts with "And the Winner Is" by Mitch Albom, produced and directed by award-winning Don Goettler.
"It's a comedy that's tailor-made for him, about a very vain Hollywood actor, nominated for an award, who then dies before the ceremony," he says. "He makes a deal to go back for one day to see if he won."
Next, another alternative production selected by Dive In, followed by Jonesing for Theater's production of "I Love you Because," a musical.
New World production rolls in next with "Places You Go," an original by William Ivers, yet another Nashua teacher; directed by Marina Altschiller, followed by "Jesus Christ Superstar," a Dive-In mainStage production, directed by Altschiller and Jordan Formichelli.
The original "Moonglow" is slated next, written and directed by Jack Neary, a playwright of national note, who pitched at the 2019 Ring Toss.
"(The play) got one of the highest ratings from our readers," Simeone says. "Coming off a year like (2020), we wanted to put a collection of plays together that would be thoughtful but entertaining, that may have a serious message, but can be delivered in a comical way. I think that's what 'Moonglow' is."
The traditional season ends with a Bitter Pill production, "Children of the Grim," the latest by Billy Butler, who will direct. Butler is author of "Missing Wynter," and "Gay Bride of Frankenstein."
"Butler, in his in-imitable style, is looking at Grimm's fairy tales," Simeone says. "He's trying to preserve and present the original voice of Grim, ... written with music to accompany it."
Two events will take the Ring into a post-season overtime.
First up is "Pericles" with the return of Seven Stages Shakespeare Co., directed by SSSC's Artistic Director Dan Beaulieu.
Finally it finishes with the Ring's contribution to Pride, the "David Mauriello Festival," overseen by Parent.
Mauriello was instrumental in the Players' Ring's launch, and remains on its board. Still in the works, the festival will feature Mauriello's plays and films.
"I've got to say, over the past six or seven months there have been total moments of elation and of frustration, (both) because of the challenges of COVID, and trying to resolve satisfying people with our selections," Simeone says. "My feeling though is ... the quality of the productions that we will be offering, ... that involve some of the region's best talent, and some of the most interesting subject matter will satisfy."
Go & Do
New Things to Know:
First: The theater will require patrons to wear masks, and show proof of either a COVID-19 vaccination or negative test completed within 72 hours of admittance.
Second: A new collaboration with Puddle Dock Restaurant offers a dinner discount and free parking. Patrons may use their prepaid tickets to receive a 10% discount, and use the restaurant's parking lot during the show.
What: "Barefoot in the Park"
Where: The Players' Ring, 105 Marcy St., Portsmouth
When: Sept. 18 to Oct. 3, Please note new performance times: Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 2:30 p.m.
Tickets: $25, general admission; $16, seniors, students and members.
More info: Visit PlayersRing.org or call (603) 436-8123