Wilde Tales

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Wilde Tales

(Part of the NY Int’l Fringe Festival)

Robert Moss Space, NYC,August 15, 2015

Reviewed by Rob Lester for Cabaret Scenes

Wilde-Tales-Cabaret-Scenes-Magazine_212There was only one child in the audience when I caught Wilde Tales, a presentation of Oscar Wilde’s fairy tales. I wish I knew what he and his parents thought or if their reactions might be typical of other kids and families attending on other dates of this limited run, part of the annual NY Fringe Festival.
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Oscar Wilde’s stories aren’t the most kid-friendly for contemporary children who are weaned on faster-paced and perkier fare and happy endings. They are wistful, philosophical, and have their share of sadness and death and other losses. This production emphasized the arty, ethereal, and more fragile aspects, not shying away from emotion, though elegantly presented with restraint. Dressed simply in white or black, a group of narrators shared the text and storytelling function, sometimes speaking in unison while strolling about the space. The presentation had a refined flavor, but such structure also resulted in low energy and slow-moving action. When their main role was to be a key character, such as the mermaid or the statue of “The Happy Prince” who gives up his jeweled features to others, they were dressed in more colorful outfits. In some cases, papier-maché puppets were incorporated, with those manipulating the puppets and providing their voices totally visible. The bird puppet seemed too small and primitive, while that representing a boy with jointed arms and a winsome face was quite effective.

Sometimes the hour-long piece felt leaden or overly earnest, drained of the stories’ charms. Some of the actors were too often too stiff, robotic, or glum in their movements, speech, and reactions. Song performances were far more engaging, with lovely interludes providing the grace missed in spoken passages and actions. Incorporated were a range of musical styles and international flavors, from the old Irish air “The Rose of Tralee” to Strauss’s “Kaiserwaltzer” to two by Manuel de Falla to a number from Disney’s Cinderella. Other contributions were made by cast member Deanna Marie and director/adapter Kevin P. Joyce. A cappella singing was especially effective and disarming.
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The sole exception to the otherwise often disappointing and dispirited cast was one remarkably captivating actor.
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His name is Drew Paramore. He caught my attention immediately. He has a different energy. His eye contact is excellent and his presence is magnetic. While others could look dull in the eyes and face, he was consistently alive and gleaming. With a sly smile and attentive reactions to each sentence and plot point uttered by the others, he seemed involved and interested, inviting our attention to the stories being unspooled. And when he gets to play the central character in a tale, as a bespectacled, shy student falling in love, he is supremely endearing and — Hallelujah — funny.
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Physicalizing the role in many small ways, he is spot on and in full command of the stage and his gifts.

The director has had the show mounted previously at Theater for the New City, and one actress reprises some roles.
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The beauty of the language and the gossamer emotions do survive, but need more nurturing and variety in tone.

See www.fringenyc.org for information on the many, many shows in this downtown festival which closes on August 30.

Rob Lester

2015 is native New Yorker Rob Lester's eighth year as contributing writer, beginning by reviewing a salute to Frank Sinatra, whose recordings have played on his personal soundtrack since the womb. (His Cabaret Scenes Foundation member mom started him with her favorite; like his dad, he became an uber-avid record collector/ fan of the Great American Songbook's great singers and writers.) Soon, he was attending shows, seeking out up-and-comers and already-came-ups, still reading and listening voraciously. He also writes for www.NiteLifeExchange.com and www.TalkinBroadway.com, has been cabaret-centric as awards judge, panel member/co-host, and produces benefit/tribute shows, including one for us.