Isabel O'Donnell News

BELL, BOOK AND CANDLE must be missing the eye of a newt.

In keeping with Artistic Director Ed Shea's avowed goal of staging less cynical plays, 2nd Story Theatre in Warren is offering the stage version of the 1971 cult film classic HAROLD AND MAUDE by Colin Higgins, who wrote both the screenplay and this stage version, If you have never seen the film version, which starred Ruth Gordon and Bud Cort, you should get yourself over to Warren; if you have seen the film, you might want to go by a ticket to see what director Kevin Broccoli hath wrought. This production features some fine performances, a couple of almost magical special effects, and a story that is so dated it's current again. As Maude, charmingly played by Isabel O'Donnell, explains to Evan Kinnane's Harold in the second act, 'A cliche today is a profound truth tomorrow, and vice versa.' Somebody say, 'Amen.'

I HATE HAMLET by Paul Rudnick is a very funny play being given an excellent production at 2nd Story Theater in Warren. 2nd Story is on a roll of comedies this summer, mostly of the dark variety, but this one has no dark shadows (Well, one shade--the ghost of John Barrymore, but he is a friendly ghost) and is just plain hilarious. Got twenty-fie bucks? Get over to see it.

For a writer, whether writing theatrical reviews or anything else, words are everything. Words are the lifeblood of the writer, that which provides a means for expression, revelation or catharsis. In Lee Blessing's Eleemosynary, presented by 2nd Story Theatre, words are also how one character lifts her soul and strives for excellence. The play as whole demonstrates Blessing's own skill with words, as he crafts a poetic yet accessible play that deals with a number of very relatable human experiences.

Eleemosynary, meaning charitable or benevolent, relates to a young girl's determination to win a national spelling bee. But it also applies to the ever-changing, always challenging, ultimately rewarding relationship between a girl, her mother, and her grandmother.

Eleemosynary, meaning charitable or benevolent, relates to a young girl's determination to win a national spelling bee. But it also applies to the ever-changing, always challenging, ultimately rewarding relationship between a girl, her mother, and her grandmother.

Warren's 2nd Story Theatre finishes its summer 2012 season with a modern-day fairy tale, SABRINA FAIR.

Kaufman and Hart's charming drawing room comedy plays at the Warren, RI theater through August 2nd

Kaufman and Hart's charming drawing room comedy plays at the Warren, RI theater through August 2nd

William Gibson's rarely- produced play provides another perspective on the nativity story

The Butterfingers Angel, Mary & Joseph, Herod the Nut, & the Slaughter of 12 Hit Carols in a Pear Tree, A Christmas Entertainment, by William Gibson, will be presented by 2nd Story Theatre November 23 - December 16.