Stage Takes

Fool For Love by Sam Shepard, presented at Anthony Meindl’s Actor’s Workshop by Heart to Heart Theater is filled with exciting moments and electrifying performances. The play runs at 1 hour and 15 minutes and is well-done as a collaborative effort. We enter the space, a Western hotel room with mood lighting to set the tone. I liked the live music at the start, to transport us to the West. The play starts with a fight, indicating the state of the relationship of the two characters. The relationship begins with many questions and leaves us with many more questions; the director does a good job at having us question their chemistry from the start. No spoilers here, but the play does take twists and turns, and the actors do a good job being as surprised as we are. Overall, solid performances from Joe Coffey and Bridgett Mistrot. This production seems like it was done to be an actors’ showcase, which is fine.

Price Payne, as Martin, stands out! He represents us, the audience, filling in the unknown with humor. Payne nails every moment he is on stage. Shout out to the Old Man played by Mark Youngs who sits on the side of the stage and narrates as a Greek Chorus type-figure. I sensed some acting on the line and bad blocking (actors turned away from the stage within the first few minutes) that was soon recovered. All in all, Fool For Love is a good show that will play Friday, March 14 and Saturday, March 15 at 8 PM at the Anthony Meindl’s Actor’s Workshop.

Photography by: @mr_oppertunity