'The Puzzle with the Piazza' - A Review

Naugatuck CT

22 February, 2021

4:44 PM

Description

GOSHEN, CT (and my home) - I was so pleased that I was able to "attend" the stage reading performance produced by the Goshen Players of the new play THE PUZZLE WITH THE PIAZZA written by Mark Dunn. The excellent audio/video aspects were provided by technical director Jim Luurtsema of JPL Music Services. Mr. Luurtsema emailed me a reminder to watch and alerted me to some of the technical work that he had done to enhance the audio and visual elements to bring clarity of sight and sound which he feels have been a struggle for folks with "Streaming" events. I would concur that there has been a wide range in the quality of the streams that I have viewed, although the number I have been invited to see has been more limited than the shows that I would have attended in a "typical" year. The two acts of this stream were a pleasure to watch and listen to; the video was clear and the audio extremely easy to hear. The actors wore mics that picked up every line and the (mostly) circular spots that each one appeared in gave us the sense that their characters were working a jigsaw puzzle at the same table. The story of THE PUZZLE WITH THE PIAZZA was funny, at times heartbreaking and ultimately heartwarming; I would love to see a full production in the future. Even the characters who arrive at the table until later in the play are fully developed, and because they are, we are able to totally follow the sometimes disjointed conversations. As Mr. Luurtsema predicted, I did appreciate the sentiment in the story, and I suspect that many of those who watched would agree. The wonderful cast, under the direction of Scott Stanchfield, brought this charming story to life beautifully, despite the limitations they were faced with. The leading puzzle doer, Althea Witlin, was played by the always magnificent Lea Dmytryck (WINTER FLOWERS with the Warner Stage Company.) I could watch her do just about anything on any stage, but this character of a mature woman planning to sell her home and move in with her sister Ian Gluck (played to perfection by Beth Steinberg) was simply perfect for this talented actress. Justin Torres (Goshen's [title of show], IN THE HEIGHTS with Landmark) played Leif Morrell, a young husband looking for a new home and the lovely Stephanie Renzullo played his young wife Connie. The duo made us believe that they were a young couple trying for a pregnancy. Kristen Moresi (ALMOST, MAINE in Goshen) gave a stellar performance as a mentally challenged neighbor of Mrs. Witlin, named Mattie Pleshette. She played Mattie, who only recently has begun to live on her own and struggles with self-confidence, with respect and made us love her all the more. The cast and crew for Goshen Players reading of "The Puzzle with the Piazza"! Goshen Players, Inc. presented the free live stream of The Puzzle with the Piazza on Sunday evening one time only and it was a lovely way to enjoy theater at home. Although I did not miss the long drive to the rotary in Goshen, I could catch a glimpse of the familiar stage and cabaret tables during the performance and almost felt like I was at the Old Town Hall. I am sure that they would still happily accept donations to support the long-time organization of the Goshen Players. 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.