MARK AUERBACH
HARTFORD – Hartford’s TheaterWorks has been presenting an eclectic mix of cutting-edge plays (and occasional musicals) for almost thirty years. Recently, they’ve partnered with Pittsfield’s Barrington Stage Company (the folks who sent their fabulous “On the Town” to Broadway). Barrington Stage’s “Becoming Dr. Ruth” premiered in Pittsfield and moved to Hartford. Last summer, Mark St. Germain’s “Dancing Lessons”, directed by Julianne Boyd, was a summer hit in Pittsfield. Now, it’s playing in Hartford with a cast change.
“Dancing Lessons” tells the story of a high-functioning austistic man (Andrew Benator, new to the production) who asks an apartment building neighbor, an injured Broadway dancer (Paige Davis) for dancing lessons. The man, a professor, is receiving an award at a dinner, and he knows that he’s socially inept. He sees the dancer, bitter about her inability to dance again and wary of relationships, as his “teacher”.
Andrew Benator
St. Germain’s short, well-crafted script, is well-constructed. In a series of short, sometimes humorous and sometimes poignant vignettes, we learn about how some people with autism interact, socialize, and think. Andrew Benator’s performance, a mix of nervousness, innocence, awkwardness, and gestures, is superb. Paige Davis, a veteran of several Broadway musicals as well as “Trading Spaces”, conveyed the angst that a dancer faces, when a promising career is cut short by injury. For me, however, “Dancing Lessons” was the man’s story.
Julianne Boyd’s direction brings out the best of St. Germain’s script. They’ve worked together at Barrington Stage many times, so the nuances of St. Germain’s words and characters are well paced. Christine O’Grady’s choreography in the show’s final scenes is graceful. I liked Brian Prather’s sets, Sara Jane Tosetti’s costumes, Michael Gillam’s lighting and Andrew Bauer’s projections. Will Pickens’ sound design was a stand-out.
“Dancing Lessons” is a warm, pleasant evening of theatre for a chilly winter’s night. And, I always enjoy a visit to TheaterWorks. It’s an intimate theatre in a beautiful space, and its programming supplements the really big shows at The Bushnell and the more classical programming at Hartford Stage.
TheaterWorks presents “Dancing Lessons” by Mark St. Germain. Directed by Julianne Boyd. Choreography by Christine O’Grady. Scenic design by Brian Prather. Costume design by Sara Jean Tosetti. Lighting design by Michael Gilliam. Sound design by Will Pickens. Projections by Andrew Bauer. Casting by McCorkle Casting Ltd. Starring Andrew Benator and Paige Davis. Through March 1. TheaterWorks, 233 Pearl Street, Hartford, CT. For tickets: 860-527-7838 or www.theaterworkshartford.org
Mark G. Auerbach studied theatre at American University and the Yale School of Drama. He’s worked for arts organizations and reported on theatre for newspapers and radio.
