BWW Reviews: Lovely CONEY ISLAND CHRISTMAS Brightens Geffen Stage
Coney Island Christmas/by Donald Margulies/based on the short story The Loudest Voice by Grace Paley/directed by Bart DeLorenzo/Geffen Playhouse/through December 30
Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Donald Margulies triumphs with nostalgia, tradition and simplistic storytelling in his stage adaptation of Grace Paley's The Loudest Voice re-envisioned Coney Island Christmas, a world premiere one-act now center stage at the Geffen through December 30. In present day Los Angeles a grandmother (Angela Paton) tries to motivate her granddaughter Clara (Grace Kaufman) by telling her a story about her youth in Depresion era 1935 Brooklyn/Coney Island. Clara is avoiding the school play by feigning illness and grandma's rich tale of how she first went on stage and found true joy proves an inspiration not only to Clara but to anyone at any age who refuses to stop dreaming.
Photo Flash: First Look at Geffen Playhouse's CONEY ISLAND CHRISTMAS World Premiere
Pulitzer Prize winner Donald Margulies weaves together nostalgia, music and merriment in the world premiere commission of a new seasonal classic opening at the Geffen Playhouse. Presented by OneWest Bank, Coney Island Christmas, a "Jewish Christmas show" for people of all ages and all faiths, introduces us to Shirley Abramowitz (played by Isabella Acres) a young Jewish girl who, much to her immigrant parents' exasperation, is cast as Jesus in the school's Christmas pageant. Get a first look at the production in the photos below!
