Review: 'Permanent Ink' by the Warner Stage Company

Naugatuck CT

04 February, 2021

8:59 PM

Description

TORRINGTON, CT - The 9th Annual International Playwrights Festival virtual event continues with a fun one-act play called PERMANENT INK. This installment of the virtual event was written by Charlene Donaghy of CT; it will stream online until Feb. 11, 2021. An interesting twist to PERMANENT INK is that it is the companion piece of ALWAYS A LINE, a one-act that was produced during the 8th Annual International Playwrights Festival, featuring Ashley McLeod as Rae, Kristin Moresi as Karina and some Ladies in Line for the restroom. As a bonus, the Warner Stage Company includes that production after this year's performance in the same stream presentation. Another fun fact is that Ms. Donaghy is the Festival Director of the Warner International Playwrights Festival. PERMANENT INK is directed by Sharon W. Houk, and she once again works her magic in the Nancy Marine. The play features the talented duo of Josh Newey and Jeff Savage. In this sometimes touching comedy, it is the night before Dick's wedding. "His Captain Morgan-loving best man lets lose a secret about the bride-to-be, Rae, and her childhood friend, propelling a drunken Dick to confront her. With the comedic help of the mysteries of life from the ancient, cagey Fester, Dick must ponder whether love, permanently inked within the very tissue of your life, is more real than plastered fear." The playwright speaks to the inspiration for PERMANENT INK in the online playbill: I was commissioned to write a short play with two women, a theatre, and a blindfold. That became my play ALWAYS A LINE, nominated for several Broadway World Connecticut theatre awards. The company liked the play so much that they asked if I would write a companion piece, to be produced as a set or separate, with the parameters of two men, a theatre, and something unusual of my choice. The result is a few moments with Dick and Fester, a broom, a plant, and the humor of love and life. JOSH NEWEY falls into the role of Dick and delights the audience as his character sobers up. Mr. Newey (THE ADDAMS FAMILY MUSICAL, ASSASSINS, EVIL DEAD: THE MUSICAL, DISASTER!) Josh is a local business analyst and performer who has appeared in numerous recent Warner Theatre productions, Other favorite projects include AN ACT OF GOD at TheatreWorks New Milford, Keith Paul's Secret Shakespeare series, and WAPJ's Nutmeg Junction radio program. JEFF SAVAGE steps easily into the role of Fester and charms his way through. Mr. Savage, who is "very happy to be back on a real stage in a real theater...and particularly happy to be back at the Nancy Marine Theater where he played the role of Willy Loman in DEATH OF A SALESMAN, the inaugural presentation in this wonderful venue." Best wishes to everyone for a safe and healthy 2021. Let's hope that this is the beginning of a return to a normal (whatever that is) and fulfilling life for all of us. - Jeff Savage This production features original music by JAMES P. LUURTSEMA entitled Experimental by James P. Luurtsema.Videographer/Editing was done by JEFFREY B. SCHLICHTER and the Production Intern is AUDREY TERHUNE. I strongly urge you to hang on at the end of the first production and enjoy the companion piece; the two have a strong link that adds meaning to both of them. It was a special treat for me, since I was not able to catch ALWAYS A LINE during the 8th Annual Festival. While ALWAYS A LINE features a bride-to-be and her best friend, PERMANENT INK includes the groom-to-be and a wise theatre usher he has never met. The presentation will remain available for viewing on our YouTube channel and Facebook page until 2/11 at 11:59 pm. There is no fee to watch but donations are always accepted. This virtual festival is made possible with a generous donation from The Marine Family and Thomaston Savings Bank. The remaining schedule for the winning playwrights: FOLDED by Bara Swain, NY (2/12-2/25)EXTENDED PLAY by Ben Marshall, NJ (2/26-3/11)RELATIVITY AND ME by Len Cuthburt, Ontario, Canada (3/12-3/25)MOTHERHOOD by Lawrence Aronovitch, Ontario, Canada (3/26-4/8)SAUL by Colleen O'Doherty, NE (4/9-4/22) Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues. She posts reviews of well over 100 productions in a normal year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle. She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the NEW CCC Facebook page.