THE GREEN ROOM
How will four Generation Z friends make it from a small college theatre department’s "green room” to the Off-Broadway stage?
The Green Room spans three years of college life, in which four actors explore all the complications from looking for love to last-minute cramming for final exams.
They are young, vibrant, aspiring—still green— like the room.
Director Jessica Jennings guides them through this complicated journey to success as Rod Damer and C. Stephen Foster’s book comes to life on stage.
The magic ingredient is music. Charles Pelletier’s rocking pop score and lyrics, with David Fletcher’s skilled musical direction, give the cast much to sing about.
Ariana Valdes is Divonne, “the Diva.” In one of the show’s most unforgettable moments, her rendition of “It’s All About Me” sums up great diva moments from musicals and movies. The song won a Songwriter’s Guild of America award.
Corbin Williams as John (the Jock) and Sami Staitman as Anna (the Princess) are a couple. Their duets transform the room and transport the audience back to their own college romance. At the start of the show, John flexes his bourgeoning adult masculinity, seeking to overpower Anna, who shows her doubt in “What Do I Think of Me.” At the end of the show, Anna discovers her adulthood and experiences her freedom in “I Wanna Go To Extremes.”
Eli LaCroix plays Anna’s brother, Cliff (the Nerd). His razor-sharp delivery and dynamic vocals bring a touching counterpoint to Divonne’s powerful sensuality.
One song had special relevance when all four, approaching graduation day, have to make decisions of what next. “In The End” directly hits the mark of the choice these four must make: to follow their dreams of the big stage — or to go in to the business world their parents wish them to.
Of all the fun and frolics, one young audience member zeroed in on this one, as relating exactly to her situation in wanting to pursue a career in the arts, while her parents aspire for her to take a traditional professional path.
This is the joy of live theater - to experience a moment which is both shared and personal.
The Green Room — a show to enjoy — with music and a message to take with you.
The American Theatre of Actors - Sargent Theatre - New York, NY, 314 W. 54th Street (Sept. 25 to Oct. 27, 2019)