No Show?

Missing 34west this weekend? Here's something to tide you over until next week...

Florida Tour

George. Henry. Thomas Edison.

My Name is Ruth

In case you're about to see one of our brand-spankin' new shows this year, here's a review of MY NAME IS RUTH that perfectly describes what we're all about...
 

nytheatre.com review by Richard Hinojosa
August 17, 2010

"I cannot recall when I've seen a play more charming than My Name is Ruth. It's an adaptation of the biblical Book of Ruth, set in a virtuous and clean post-war Middle America. The story is simple and told in very clean, accessible language. At the top of the show Ruth's husband promptly dies in World War II. Ruth decides to stick with her aging mother-in-law when she wants to move back to her home town. She struggles to find a job in her new town because the men have returned from the war and all the Rosie the Riveters have been forced back into the house. Ruth is a strong, determined woman and she has no intention of giving up. Finally she meets Boaz, a shy, socially awkward department store owner who hires her on and takes a shine to her. As it turns out, her mother-in-law used to be pretty loaded and has a big estate. When a relative rolls into town and wants to snatch up the estate and throw the mother-in-law into an old folks' home, Ruth and Boaz step in to help her.

It took only few minutes for me to become immersed in the world of the production. The costumes, the music, the set, the script all transported me to 1950s America. It's a spotless, Beaver Cleaver sort of America where people say things like "Golly-gee willikers."

Jeff Querin and Magdalyn DonnellyPlaywright-director Stephen W. Baldwin's script is delightful. His language and plot are simple. He doesn't bother with fluff or contrived twists and turns. The story is basically a stream of positive, uplifting moments interrupted briefly by a tiny conflict. Baldwin's direction perfectly highlights the charm of his script. I loved his staging. He sets many characters off stage and he has some speeches delivered out over the audience. I think a large part of what makes this work is the proscenium stage at the Connelly Theater. It was like being in an old high school theater.

Barb Scott and Pamela Querin handle the costumes and set design, respectively, and their work here makes this production so charming. Nothing is overdone. In fact, everything in this production is a little understated and I really liked that. There is so much left to the audience's imagination.

The cast, Magdalyn Donnelly and Jeffrey Querin, are completely enchanting. Donnelly plays Ruth while Querin plays Boaz plus about a dozen other roles. Donnelly is hopelessly lovable with her cute Minnesota accent and her ability of blush on cue. Querin plays Boaz so shy and awkward that it's hard to say who the more endearing character is. Querin also plays the "villain" and at one point he does a great job acting with himself in a scene that finds both characters in the same room. The acting in this show is just so perfectly aligned with all the other production aspects. I was really taken with their performances.

I didn't think people still did productions like My Name is Ruth. I have admit at first I was little skeptical. I've grown so used to jaded, curse-ridden scripts or dark, experimental productions that try to shock me into submission. But honestly it didn't take very long for my hard shell to melt away so this show could shine on me. I'm glad I let it in."

Snowbirds!

In early January, we rushed down to Appalachicola FL for a blitzful run of WE GO EVERYWHERE TOGETHER.

Any Seats Left?

It's beginning to look a lot like...a hit!

The old guys are back and many of the performances of "George and Henry Save Christmas" are already beginning to sell-out at both our Ohio venues for this month and December.

George and Henry are doing the Pee-Wee Herman dance.

NYC Visit

Actor and co-founder Stephen Wayne gets a visit from his folks, Cliff and Andrea Kerns, atop the roof of 34west's offices.  

Wayne states, "Without their support, I'd be sitting in a dark room somewhere, eating nachos."

2013 Sneak Peek

Thanks to our good friend and nationally-hip photographer Nick Fancher, of Shutter-Think, we got some great pics for our 2013 Season...which is turning out to be our most ambitious season to date!

 Designer Pamela Querin with actors Stephen Wayne, Maria Householder and Jeff Querin.

Jeff Querin and Maria Householder get loose and limber for "Speakin' Easy" (Jul-Oct)

Jeff Querin puttin' on the ritz

Nick captured Maria Householder perfectly!

 Perry Columbus finally returns Jan-Feb for "Mystery Goes Hollywood"

"Sock Hops and Soda Pops" (March-May) is the follow-up to last years smash "Doo Wops and Beauty Shops"

Remember this happy duo?

Yes, Largo will return too...

Cause after all, we're all about making you smile.

Jonah?

Jeff Querin, Maria Householder, and Stephen Wayne rock the boat.

Maria Householder and Stephen Wayne's brief encounter

Would you expect anything else?

Did you know?

David Querin...(father to Artistic Director and actor, Jeff Querin) is an avid model yacht enthusiast.  So when he's not buidling 34west sets, he's sailing his meticulously crafted boats on the fourth of July...in Central Park, of course.

Dave Querin at sea

Pamela and Sue enjoying the heat

Querin and Son

Jeff Querin the tour guide

Stephen Wayne, guy with the camera

Happy 4th of July from 34west! 

Improv Night

34west founders and actors Stephen Wayne and Jeff Querin will perform in the Upright Citizens Brigade (NYC) student showcase June 9, 5:30pm.  Admission is free.

Anything can and will undoubtedly go!

Going Overboard!

When not rehearsing and designing our newest adaptation "Overboard!"...

Designer Pamela Querin browses...

Actors Maria Householder and Jeff Querin take a break in Little Italy...

Actors Stephen Wayne and Maria Householder lunch it up...

 ...and of course there's time for shopping!

Doo Wops: Round Two

Special thanks to our gal pal Jan West for the very fun pics of "Doo Wops and Beauty Shops" as it bee-bops into week two of our tour!

Where We've Been

Yay Jalopy Theatre!  Nice write-up about the very cool place in Brooklyn our "Cotton Patch Gospel" was performed last August.  

Actors and cast Stephen Wayne, Jeff Querin, Tom Weaver, DJ DePanicis, and Dan Kalosky still hold The Jalopy Theatre close to their hearts! 

New York Times write-up...

Old Guys at the Drive-Thru

Actors Stephen Wayne and Jeff Querin yuck it up for the Rescue Mission of Mahoning Valley Benefit performance!

At the Shop

Rehearsals for our NEW musical "Doo Wops and Beauty Shops" began this week.

Actor Stephn Wayne conjures his inner-crooner as 'Largo.'

Jeff Querin gearing up to play the excitable-neurotic-cheerful, 'Marty.'

Maria Householder as the pregnant, and lovably awkward, "Rose."

You saw her call the pig races and now Rebecca Whittenberger is sassy "Sally."

How else would you celebrate Valentine's Day?