Theater
Two Drink Minimum at the Theatrical Outfit
One of my favorite maxims is “God could not be everywhere, so that is why he created mothers.” It is also said that a “mother is the only woman who will ever truly love you”, but this love can sometimes come at a price. That is what Bill Balzer (William S. Murphey) discovers about his mother, Mary B. (Susan Shalhoub) as he learns to balance his mother’s protectiveness and his own independence in Two Drink Minimum. As he describes her as polish Catholic mother that specializes in “guilt”.
This memoir type play Two Drink Minimum is written by William Balzer, a major patron of the Balzer Theatre at Herren’s and produced by the Theatrical Outfit. The night I saw the play the real Bill Balzer was there and it was spectacular to see how the actor who played Bill Balzer, William S. Murphey really captured his essence on the stage.
The title comes from his Balzer’s weekly Sunday ritual of being a good son and calling his mother, who required him to have two drinks in order to rise up to the task.
“TWO DRINK MINIMUM”
Seen here: William S. Murphey, Wendy Melkonian, & Susan Shalhoub Larkin
This one-act play has something for everyone, it captures the complexities of families as they evolve, it deals with a child’s love, and it also touches on the passage of time and shifting roles where the parent moves from being the strong one to the dependent one in the relationship.
In the play, Balzer notes that his mother had four periods in her life, the great depression, War World II, before he married his wife Peg and after he married Peg. Peg (Wendy Melkonian) is the ever so supportive wife.
This play has something from everyone, from puppets, funny lines, and a few tender moments that may cause you to shed a tear. Two Drink Minimum will remind you to call you mother or if you no longer have a mother, take a glass and give her toast for giving you the most important gift of all- Life.
Part of the mission of Theatrical Outfit of bringing to life “stories that stir the soul”, Two Drink Minimum is a tender story of a son’s devotion to his mother and runs through November 18 at the Balzer Theatre at Herren’s.
For tickets and show times visit: www.TheatricalOutfit.org or call 1.877.725.8849.
Follow Dr. Wilson Trivino on Twitter@T4Vista
Nothing makes me feel more like Christmas is just around the corner than seeing a live performance of “A Christmas Carol.” We have been fortunate to see it performed all over the country with highlights in Boston at the North Shore Music Theatre and now a wonderful performance at the resurrected Theatre in the Square!
The intimate theater is the perfect setting for a story this classic. Even if you are sitting in the back, you will still get a great view and feel the story just fine.
From the opening of the story, through the highly appreciated musical numbers, and a wonderful full cast finale, this adaptation is simply delightful.
The cast, comprised of some amazing local talent, is as good as they get! Some of the best and stand out performances go to Bruce Speer as Scrooge, Cindy Copeland as Christmas Past, Vance West as Bob Cratchit and how could we leave out Davie DeWitt as Tiny Tim!
After the show we talked to the owner of the Theatre, Raul Thomas and he told us this. ” This adaptation by Director Tony Smithey he has been producing in a variety of forms for 18 years. Originally written to tour in schools the running time was about 55 min. With the addition of music and dancing it now runs about an hour and a half with the intermission.
In the production Tony has done a little fleshing out to Scrooge’s relationships with his Mother, his only friend Jacob Marley and his one and only true love Belle. ”
This is a must on our Holiday Fun list so get your tickets now HERE as it opens tonight!
Three years ago one of my favorite local theaters took their final bow and closed up shop. Ever since I can I remember, I loved going to see performances at the Theatre on the Square in the beautiful Marietta Square. I can remember going to see some great Christmas shows with my parents and one of my favorites, the “1940’s Radio Hour”. Ahhh, the memories. But, it was all over in 2012.
Three years have come and gone and I spent two of those years in Boston and one in Florida, so imagine my delight to come back to Atlanta to find that the Theatre on the Square was revamped and ready to amaze again with great local talent.
We took a few minutes to get to know the lovely Roxanne Johnson of the Theatre and ask her a few questions.
Raul Thomas – Owner of Theatre on the Square
TBB: We are so excited that the beloved Theatre in the Square in Marietta is making it’s glorious comeback. Tell me about this revival, who is involved and what we can expect?
Roxanne: It was more than heart breaking to the community as a whole to see Theatre in the Square close up shop in 2012. Immediately seeing huge potential Raul Thomas; Executive Chef, Film Maker and avid supporter of all the arts, took over the theatre in September of this year. From the community he hand picked a team of top notch creative and business professionals. We all quickly went to bring this sacred space back to it’s former glory.
Wanting to court previous supporters of the theatre we offer through our resident company standards and favorites of the community. There will also be more contemporary entertainment offered as well as concerts and comedy and other events. The former green room has now been transformed into a small film and photography studio.
The studio is available to the community. As well as classes for children and adults. We are already working closely with Marietta Middle School and Kennesaw State University. The ultimate goal is creating a multi-cultural center bringing entertainment and education to the area through art and theatre.
Information regarding what is currently running and what is coming up for us, as well as purchasing tickets can be found on our website HERE.
After the 1st of the year we will be offering season tickets, flex tickets and reserved seating.
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