NOHO Arts District
PILLARS OF NEW YORK 
Write Act Rep @ The Brickhouse Theatre
Review by Dianne Williams
​Friday, 29 January 2016 10:37
http://www.nohoartsdistrict.com/theatres/theatre-reviews/item/3306-review-pillars-of-new-york-the-brickhouse-theatre

PILLARS OF NEW YORK
​
What were you doing September 11th, 2001? I remember exactly what I was doing that morning, the days before, and the days following.
 
PILLARS OF NEW YORK is an original musical production presented by Write Act Repertory at The Brickhouse Theatre. An authentic, chronicling of a group of New Yorkers daily lives that were altered by the events of September 11 event.

“Pillars of New York” is smart, witty, bold and relatable.

Unmasked are struggles of a Therapist/Writer and his associate along with four couples. A mother's shame over her sons homosexuality, marriages that undergo infidelity, a woman inferiority complex and revenge, impact of a pregnancy, career goals, lies and deceit take a toll on their lives, their everyday lives.

I was hooked from the beginning by engaging characters, music and song. I found myself laughing as Therapist/Writer Jake, Wayne Moore, was fumbling to describe himself and fell prey to his sassy associate Wendy’s,Elizabeth Sekora, hilarious snarky barbs. It was then that realized that this musical was not going to be an unremittingly grim piece.

Relationships are examined, choices are presented, songs are sung and lives continue while we, the audience, are aware that at some point the characters will face a horrific life altering event. This is brilliance of Pillars of New York. Poised and ready I watched with bated breath to discover how they would make out.

This cast gave consummate performances. Eloise Coopersmith radiated warmth as Harley, Michael Cortez was perfect as the distant husband and philanderer, Molly Gilman was sweet and sincere as Carrie, Julian Gozawas honest as the doting gay son, Bobby McGlynn was poignant as the tortured soul, Wayne Moore, hit all the right notes as Jake, Gary Mortimer was understated and elegant as Victor, Elizabeth Sekora was hilarious, confused and perky as Wendy, Suzan Soloman was a perfect NY Mom, as Rachel and Marza Warsinske was unforgettable as Bianca.

Noteworthy are the vocals.
These talented troubadours delivered each song beautifully giving strong emotional context to the story. I loved the music, and relating as a mother to Rachel solo.

9/11 continues to be a sensitive subject. The choice to develop a piece that speaks to a collective sacred event is to be handled with decorum and finesse. Writer/composer Michael Antin has successfully provided a theatrical experience worthy of our time and attention.  

Jim Blanchette is a master!! He is brilliant! Need I say more? Probably not but I will. Jim turned an intimate theatre stage into multiple New York locations, maintained a fast high energy pace, and interpreted Pillars of New York with a velvet glove.
I enjoyed Pillars of New York. It is wonderfully performed. The stories mirror our everyday lives, and giving pause to the adage. Tomorrow is not promised.

http://www.nohoartsdistrict.com/theatres/theatre-reviews/item/3306-review-pillars-of-new-york-the-brickhouse-theatre

Examiner
Burbank Entertainment Industry Examiner
Review by Ron Irwin
January 24, 2016
2:06 PM MST
http://www.examiner.com/review/pilars-of-new-york-world-premier

A slightly arrogant albeit well intentioned Psychologist Jake masterfully portrayed by Wayne Moore is writing a book based on his relationships with his clients. Assisting him is the not timid rather outspoken and quite lovely Wendy as played by the amazing Elizabeth Sekora. Wendy is not at all pleased with the book Jake is attempting to write. She feels that it fails to reach the true humanity of the people he is writing about. Then Jake needs to leave his office one morning. His office is in the World Trade Center and the day he makes his unplanned departure is September 11th 2001.
 
‘Pillars of New York’ is a fascinating often riveting musical devoted to an exposition of the lives of a small group of New Yorkers deeply impacted by the horrific events of nine eleven. These are all imperfect people, in other words very real.
​
The show opens in a most New York way as the entire cast is riding a subway train approaching the Cortlandt Street station. As they arrive images of the World Trade Center are projected as the cast musically salute ‘The Pillars of New York.’ Then we are introduced to the people whose lives in some cases end and in others are forever changed by the attack of September 11th. This transformative event reveals to Jake the amazing strength of his fellow New Yorkers and he ultimately writes an entirely different book.
 
'Pillars of New York' was produced by Producing Artistic Director John Lant, written by Michael Antin, directed by Jim Blanchette with music direction by Rob Bowers. The Brickhouse Theatre is an intimate 'black box' theatre but surprisingly comfortable and capable.
 
‘Pillars of New York’ runs now through February 21st at the Brickhouse Theatre, 10950 Peach Grove Street (just east of Vineland) in North Hollywood, CA Show times are 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 1:30 p.m. on Sundays. Call 1-800-838-3006 Ext 1 for reservations and information.

http://www.examiner.com/review/pilars-of-new-york-world-premier

ACCESSIBLY LIVE OFF-LINE
Review by Rob Borowy
(Vol. 21-No. 4-Week of January 25th, 2016)
https://accessiblyliveoffline.wordpress.com

Write Act Repertory presents the world premiere of PILLARS OF NEW YORK, Michael Antin's musical about a therapist completing a book about four of his clients, and the tragedy that not only affected them all, but affected the entire world!
     
     The scenes take place at the start of the new millennium. Jake Kelly (Wayne Moore) is a therapist based in New York City, working from his office in lower Manhattan. He's working on a book that studies four of his clients that are undergoing their own personal trails. His assistant Wendy (Elizabeth Sekora) is working with him transcribing his notes about the subjects he is writing about. Although he won't mention any of them by name in his book, Wendy feels that his work is getting a bit too much into their personal lives. The subjects he deals with features a middle age woman still living with her adult son that desires to have him on his own and perhaps settle with the man of his dreams (his preference in partner), the couple from Oklahoma who is struggling financially yet still earn a decent living, another couple consisting of the breadwinner (the wife) while the husband struggles to become a writer along with the fact that the wife discovers she's pregnant, the couple involved with an affair, as well as Wendy and her relationship. What binds everyone together is the fact that all involved either work or live near the World Trade Center, a pair of towering buildings that is another part of the Manhattan landscape. Then 9/11 hits, affecting everyone both physically or emotionally. Jake then attempts to continue the book he was writing about shortly after the fact, now taking everything and everyone involved into a different prospective.
     
     This single act musical with book, music, and lyrics by Michael Antin, tells a story about a professional therapist using the people that come to his aid as a case study, only to become sidetracked by an episode that is far more than humanity could every withstand. The storyline this musical employs is a blend of how such a tragic aspect not only changed things is a rhapsodic method, but how all involved had to cope through the circumstances. The musical numbers are upbeat and lively, in spite of the subject matter it speaks of. There is nothing music wise one can label as "happy", but it isn't presented in hushed tones either! The ensemble cast featured that also include Julian Goza, Eloise Coopersmith, Gary Mortimer, Marza Warsinske, Bobby McGlynn, and Molly Gilman, perform their roles in a progressive method, as each one has their share in vocalizing their selection of musical numbers presented. They all work under the musical direction of Rob Bowers, performing the score on the keyboards. Unlike traditional stage musicals, there are no dance numbers interpreted per se, although director Jim Blanchette keeps the cast moving throughout.
     
    This showcase is ideal to view within an intimate stage setting as all of the plotting and performance is displayed inside a tight space. It's never overcrowded, but ingrained nevertheless! The scenic stage backdrop as compiled by Angela Acuna, Alonzo Tavarea, and Jim Blanchette, is simple yet to the point. Only a few furnishings are depicted as floating scenes that utilize the "less-is-more" modus of theater staging.
     
    PILLARS OF NEW YORK is a stirring musical that doesn't promise any happy endings, a conclusion usually found in a fitting selection of other musicals. However, it also depicts a moment in world history that's been written and depicted in just about all existing forms of  perceivable expression over the past few years, and will continue throughout the annals of time. This show itself is a gem, and holds the promise that it will go far within the theater world. Until then, it's recommended that one experiences this program on an intimate stage setting as seen in North Hollywood.

​This show is highly recommended!
 
     PILLARS OF NEW YORK, presented by Write Act Repertory, and performs at The Write Act Rep at The Brickhouse Theatre, 10950 Peach Grove Street located one block northeast of the intersection of Camarillo, Lankershim, and Vineland, North Hollywood, until February 21st. Showtimes are Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30 PM, and Sunday afternoons at 1:30 PM. For more information and for ticket reservations, call (800) 838-3006 ext. 1, or via online athttp://www.BrownPaperTickets.com.
 
"Like" the Write Act Rep on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/WriteActRepertory

https://accessiblyliveoffline.wordpress.com