Stick Fly (Cort)

'Stick Fly'Credits: A Nelle Nugent, Alicia Secrets, Samuel Nappi, Reuben Cannon, Jay H. Harris/Catherine Schreiber, Huntington Theater Company, Serta Frishwasser, Charles Salameno, Sharon A. Carr/Patricia R. Klausner/Ron Danzansky, Daveed D. Frazier/Mark Thompson presentation of the play in 2 functions by Lydia R. Gemstone. Directed by Kenny Leon. Original music, Alicia Secrets.Cheryl - Condola Rashad Taylor - Tracie Thoms Spoon (Kent) LeVay - Dule Hill Switch (Harold) - Mekhi Phifer Joe LeVay - Ruben Santiago-Hudson Kimber - Rosie BentonA comedy from the dysfunctional-family variety, "Stick Fly" provides a great amount of laughter plus some enjoyable performances although not much when it comes to distinction. While playwright Lydia R. Gemstone mixes in intrigue, sex and sociology, the proceedings are hardly ever surprising and not compelling the end result indicates another cousin of August Wilson married to Jean Kerr's stepchild. There's a crowd with this piece, as a minimum of five other productions across the nation make obvious, but without ticket-selling stars, it's unclear whether they'll have the ability to attract an audience towards the Cort Theater. The writer sets out an average template. A maximum-class family arrives for any lengthy weekend at their country house in Martha's Winery, the grown sons getting along new female friends. The household is black the lady among the sons brings house is whitened. You will find two key figures present exclusively via telephone, and also the family's fundamentals are skyrocketed by among individuals second-act secrets which are telegraphed half way with the first. With "Stick Fly," Gemstone has attempted an industrial comedy with soapy overtones, but regardless of the abundance of laugh lines, the very first act bogs lower with cultural anthropology talk as the second meanders through five moments. Director Kenny Leon ("Fences"), who effectively staged "Stick Fly" in the Arena Stage in Washington this past year, has recast basically among the roles, but what this play cries out for is really a rewrite. David Gallo's Winery cottage may be the kind of place we want to maneuver into immediately, with partial walls determining three distinct playing areas you can use concurrently. Pop music giant Alicia Secrets -- the 2nd-charged producer -- has composed scene-change music that regrettably slows lower the proceedings. Ruben Santiago-Hudson ("Seven Guitars"), the main one stage veteran within the group, rules the experience having a comical turn because the controlling patriarch from the clan. Tracie Thoms and Rosie Benton lead detailed portraits of the extremely different female friends the sons, top-charged Dule Hill and Mekhi Phifer, receive less to utilize. Stealing attention is Condola Rashad, who gave an unforgettable performance being an mistreated victim in Lynn Nottage's "Destroyed," and who proves a powerful comedienne here. The title originates from the play's resident entomologist to be able to study the wing actions of houseflies, you glue these to Pop-sicle stays watching them squirm. That is what the playwright gives her figures in "Stick Fly."Sets, David Gallo costumes, Reggie Ray lights, Beverley Emmons seem, Peter Fitzgerald production stage manager, Robert Bennett. Opened up 12 ,. 8, 2011. Examined 12 ,. 5. Running time: 2 Hrs, 30 MIN. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com