Press photo for Stone Tape Party.
With a name like Stone Tape Party and a synopsis of, “Sex, drugs, jazz: y’know, the classic ghost story,” I think it is easy to question how good this Capital Fringe show is going to be. Well, let me put your mind to rest and assure you all that this is an excellent show! Everything comes together in Party: fantastic writing, talented acting, great directing (Angela Pirko) and wonderful song choices. Please don’t miss this one!
Written by Danny Rovin, a graduate of the National Conservatory of Dramatic Arts in Washington, DC and a company member of the producing theatre, Nu Sass, is definitely a writer to watch. Rovin’s script is fresh, creative and perfectly captures the characters’ personalities, needs and desires.
As the play begins, we are introduced to a group of twenty-something friends and roommates who lead their own lives but gather together, almost nightly, for parties. Dusty (played by a heartbreakingly fabulous Jack Novak), however, has plans to move away after his best friend, Aedan (a terrific Ariana Almajan) had recently died. Other members of the house don’t want Dusty to go, including Aedan, and Dusty’s bedmate Jodie (an extraordinary Jill Tighe).
Please don’t miss this one!
Another roommate, Rich, played by Aubri O’Connor, who is also one of the producers, is so at ease on stage, so unselfconscious that I envy her willingness to completely become her character. She is amazing! Basie (Ben Calman), the group’s playboy, is hilarious, and he is flawless in his role. Cassey Leffue as Zoe, Dusty’s new girlfriend is great, and rounding out the cast is Bess Kaye as a Party Girl and love interest to Rich and Basie.
I’m not going to reveal more about the play because I want everyone to go into this one like I did, knowing nothing but hoping for something. But I can tell you that you will not be disappointed!
Running Time: 90 minutes.
Stone Tape Party is running through July 26, 2014 at Sprenger – Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H Street NE, Washington, DC 20002. For tickets click here.
