Project Rushmore Theatre Company Presents

WORLD OF SINATRAS
By SEAN O’CONNOR
Starring
JEFF RUBINO, DENNIS OSTERMAIER, DANIELLE DELGADO, SARAH ELMALEH, and JUSTIN CIMINO

And

EXQUISITE POTENTIAL
By STEPHEN KAPLAN

Starring
VINCE GATTON, RACHEL EVANS, MATT BIAGINI, BOB ADER, AIDEN McCALL CHUMBLEY, and SOPHIE KNAPP

Director: SYDNIE GROSBERG RONGA
Technical Director: ZACH COOK
Set designer/Props: SAMANTHA GASS
Costume Designer: RYAN HANSON
Lighting Designer: LIONEL CHRISTION, MAX SCHAFFER
Sound Designer: ABI DEGAY
Graphic Designer: VICTOR BARBELLA
Production Stage Manager: JOSEPHINE ROSE RONGA
Artistic Director: ADRIENNE DOUCETTE
Stage Managers: CHRISTAL VASSILYADI, JOSEPHINE ROSE RONGA
Videographer: JUSTIN HARRIS

The ArcLight Theatre
152 West 71st Street (between Broadway & Columbus Avenue)
July 15 – August 3, 2014

Project Rushmore Theatre Company is committed to exploring the American Spirit and takes their inspiration from the Works Progress Administration (WPA) of the 1930’s with a mission to create jobs in the performing arts. The two plays performing in repertory at the ArcLight Theatre from July 15 to August 3 are about families and relationships.

Sean O’Connor’s WORLD OF SINATRAS is narrated by Sam (Jeff Rubino), the product of Jack (Dennis Ostermaier) and Marie (Danielle Delgado) Murdoch. Theirs is a love story, marinated in alcohol and abuse, slowly going bad. Through music (the kind of music that had words and meanings) Sam relates the tug of war under which he develops, with Jack insisting that feelings are for sissies while Marie attempts to “slip a song into his soul.” This is an ambitious piece of work that chronicles 30 years of the life of a conflicted child who takes on the attributes of his parents as he ages. Although the performances by the entire cast are exquisite and the musical background enhances the story (amazing how a song can immediately break into your memory bank), WORLD OF SINATRAS is a bit too long and at times redundant. In trying to present a complete picture of Sam’s response to his family at different intervals of his life, repetition of the dysfunction is not needed. The reality is that alcoholism and abuse are destructive and dangerous no matter what age the viewer

Stephen Kaplan’s EXQUISITE POTENTIAL also deals with the complexity of familial relationships. All parents believe their children are special but Alan Zuckerman (Vince Gatton) thinks his son David is the Messiah. No kidding, he has documented “miracles” to back his belief, and he manages to convince his rabbi (Matt Biagini, Bob Ader). In addition to exploring the bonds between parents and children, Kaplan also delves into philosophical questions like “What is the definition of a Messiah?” and “What are the results of high expectations for your children?” Tempered with sophisticated humor and endearing characters, EXQUISITE POTENTIAL becomes a masterful theatrical presentation. Spanning the time period of 30 years, the actors take on the roles of both the parents and the siblings. Once again the cast is superb.

Project Rushmore Theatre Company has definitely accomplished their mission with both these offerings. You want to thank them for putting these talented actors on a stage and allowing them to breathe life into intriguing subject matters.

- Laurie Lawson -