Reviewer: Howard Steven Frydman aka “The Howard”
Production: SANDRA
Theater: TheaterWorks Hartford
Playwright: David Cale
Director: Jared Mezzocchi
Music: Matthew Dean Marsh
The Howard says – “SANDRA – “Pulp Fiction Here WE come – An Updated Film Noir!”
Pure and simple – Thunderous Lighting – Krack!- dark starry danger surrounds, exotic locales beckon and mysterious friends and lovers abound. Be prepared for shivers up and down your spine- a dear friend is missing, as we find ourselves in perverse places that should never be trespassed – at the center of this vibrant “Pulp Fiction Thriller,” an innocent, SANDRA, who is thrust into this malevolent menacing world. SANDRA, a one-person play, starring Emmy-nominee Felicia Curry as SANDRA, which lavishly closes TheaterWorks Hartford’s 2023–2024 season, is written by David Cole, with original music by Matthew Dean Marsh, and Directed by two-time Obie-winner Jared Mezzocchi is a 90 minute roller-coaster mystery thriller, energy charged “who-done-it” delivering audience members SANDRA’s desperate search for her dear friend.
I, “The Howard” is singularly impressed by this production of SANDRA. Yes, in both the tale and the actress, Felicia Curry, and her multicharacter portrayals- she slips in and out of a myriad of characters, projecting various accents, and physical traits on a dime, one minute the elderly Beauford, next the Italian lover Luca, and on and on throughout the production with various characters- indeed she is “Legion” for she is many-and her voice characterizations are exquisite. SANDRA is like a Baker’s dozen, you don’t just get one character, but a myriad of different characters packed into the stalwart SANDRA who sits on the center stage, in a lone chair, detailing the mystery of her friend Ethen, a music composer and pianist, who had journeyed to Mexico and never returned home-he has simply vanished – or has he?
Yes indeed, Ms. Curry as SANDRA, has made a lasting impactful impression on both this reviewer and those audience members attending this concluding TheaterWorks production entry. In fact, SANDRA has all the makings of a classic Film Noir, such as Barbara Stanwyck in “Double Indemnity”, Rita Hayward in “Gilda”, or Lana Turner in “The Postman Always Rings Twice”. Yes – the femme fatale, or the girl next door who finds herself inexplicitly in danger as she takes on the role of detective. The “McGuffin”, ala Alfred Hitchcock, is indeed the missing “Ethan” who sets our heroine SANDRA into action and into a labyrinth of suspense. The tale is afoot, from escaping her loveless marriage, and thrust into a “murder mystery” to be solved, visiting exotic locals -Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and intertwined with a sociopath, villains-galore, gangsters, cops, red herrings, here a red fish tattoo, and murder- don’t shake hands or make love with the devil – for you may be the next victim.
Folks, I can’t wait for you to meet SANDRA intimately, for who is this woman? What is she searching for? Love, a new life, adventure, – Do you believe in love at first glance – Sandra does, and to solve a mystery of a dear friend, it may put her in dire straits- for Cupid may have found another victim in Sandra! Who is this imposter, that has stolen her heart? Find out this and more when you help piece together the puzzle of SANDRA. As they say where there’s smoke, there’s fire- you don’t know what you are missing- what plans does Sandra have for you? Shall we find out together-beware the man with the long blonde hair and the red fish tattoo before he finds us as well my friends!
As already stated, The Howard is so impressed by the theatrical talents of Ms. Curry, especially for her exquisite creation of disparate characters and their diverse dialects that she truly brings alive – brava Ms. Curry for your exceptional talents. Next, we give kudos to the additional creative team for SANDRA including Director Jared Mezzocchi, the amazing creative content and video design by Camilla Tassi, Dialect Coach by Josh FS Moser, Marcelo Martínez García (set design), Sarita Fellows (costume design), Amith Chandrashaker (co-lighting design), Alex Fetchko (co-lighting design), and Evdoxia Ragkou (sound design). The Howard says- excellent live theater here in Connecticut. Enjoy!
Performances of SANDRA will take place May 30–June 23, 2024 at TheaterWorks Hartford’s historic home, located at 233 Pearl Street, Hartford, CT. The performance schedule is Tuesdays through Thursdays at 7:30pm, Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 2:30pm and 8pm, and Sundays at 2:30pm. The running time is 85 minutes with no intermission.
Tickets are priced at $25–$70. All tickets can be purchased online at twhartford.org or by calling 860.527.7838. Please visit twhartford.org for more information.
Howard Steven Frydman is General Manager and Executive Director of BATV – Channels 5, 95 & 96 and a member of the CCC. Mr. Frydman has been reviewing productions for over 40 years throughout New England. Please feel free to contact Mr. Frydman with your thoughts and ideas at TheHoward24@gmail.com.
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