Theater Review: 'The Donkey Show: A Midsummer Night's Disco' at WCSU

Review by Nancy Sasso Janis

Western Connecticut State University Department of Theatre Arts is presenting a production of the unique, immersive “The Donkey Show: A Midsummer Night’s Disco.” This slightly naughty and completely fun show was conceived and created by Diane Paulus (who directed the original New York production) and Randy Weiner. The university students are directed by Sal Trapani, who had been at WestConn for thirty years, and the fantastic choreography was envisioned by Jen Turey. Ryli Frisch, a theater arts major from Redding, is assistant director.

Lauren Schiffer, student co-dramaturg, points out in her program note that the actors in this production were not alive in the 1970s (ouch!) to “see the influence disco had on American society.” However, she acknowledges that “the disco movement aided in the liberation of the LGBTQIA+ community, reshaped the technology used in music production, and perhaps most significantly of all, elevated the key characteristics of modern-day music.”

The cast and crew of “The Donkey Show” set out to give patrons an “authentic disco experience that is akin to what you would find in (Studio 54 at its peak popularity.)” They suggest that “for this ninety-minute performance, allow yourself to be taken back to a time and place that aimed to unleash the true liberation and authenticity that exists within all of us. In other words, let loose and get groovy!”

The Theatre Department offers three types of admissions: VIP, general and interactive. I was lucky enough to score a blue wristband, indicating that as an interactive patron, I was allowed to join the actors on the dance floor for the entire performance (I know, right?) I had so much fun interacting with the performers throughout the show, dancing to the fabulous disco hits that I remembered, and doing my best to keep up with the choreography. Yes, I dressed the part, although my clothes paled in comparison to that of the actors.

In order to include more students in the show, there are two cast that share the performances. The Cast Groov-A performed at the matinee I attended. First year musical theater major Dylan Reynes danced in a royal blue jumpsuit as (Ly) Sander, a role that he shares with first year musical theater major Sebastian Martelle. Sophomore Zola Kneeland from Orange played the fairy queen Titania, who is played by Asia Aloma, a sophomore from Southington. Jeremiah Godley covered the role of Dimitri, a role he shares with Brian Cummins. Olivia Renee-Anne, a first year acting major, played the role of Mia (Hermia) and Lauren Dattilo (a first year student from Southington) covers the role with the B-Cool cast. Sophomore Majella Maltempi plays Helen, the role she shares with sophomore Chanelle Jaime-Guzman. Aloma plays Disco Girl with this cast, a role she shares with Kneeland from the other cast.

A large group of WCSU students play their roles at all performances. Sophomore Xela Roper from Southbury has the important role of DJ Hernando. Senior Michael Ramsey shines in the role of the fairy king Oberon in their last production at WCSU. The comedic duo of junior Audrey Loverro (Shakespeare in “Something Rotten”) and junior Kiernan Urso from Long Island play both ends of the titular Donkey and are quite hysterical. Junior Amelia McGee from Oxford plays Rico Suave and first year acting major Julia Crowley roller skates around in her role of the (fake) drug dealer Dr. Wheelgood in her WCSU debut.

Titania’s fairies are played by first year acting major Caroline Benzi, first year musical theater major Marisa K. Curti from Fairfield, first years student Athan Fischer, first year student Henry Grimm, senior Marianne Grossman (Bea in “Something Rotten,) junior Jonah King (understudy for Vinnie 2,) first year student Angelina Rosa Molina, sophomore Jessica Ragucci, first year student Sofia Zizolfo Gonzalez, and sophomore Savannah Wright. Junior Alanna Margarita Cajigas from New Haven plays a Disco Diva and the understudy for the DJ as well as Fairy Swing. Majella Maltempi understudies Vinnie 1. Kudos to the dancers for mastering the extensive demands of the choreography.

There is some strobe lighting and haze used (which I did not notice, probably because I was too busy dancing.) The scenic design by Maureen Freedman is mostly at the back of the space and sets the disco scene. Lighting by Alix Lewis and sound by Chip Machokas, who has spent 16 years as Technical director at WAMS, add to the authenticity of the experience. Technical director Meredith Yoho probably had many challenges, with Kori Hansen as technical coordinator.

Special thanks to Joni Johns Lerner for the work put into the costume design. Every outfit is a work of 70s art, and I was thrilled to get to see them up close as the actors interacted with attendees, from the preshow while ticket holders waited in various lines.

This show affords the performers cast to practice their improv skills throughout their performance. Cast Groov-A (the one I got to see) perform on 4/6, 4/12 and 4/14. Cast B-Cook perform on 4/5, 4/7 and 4/13. The show runs approximately 75 with no intermission and I enjoyed every minute. Tickets are limited, so be sure to purchase in advance at https://www.eventbrite.com/.../the-donkey-show-a...

Up next at WCSU will be “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller, directed by Donna Baldwin-Bradby, scheduled for Apr.19-28.

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theater reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, and she posts well over 100 reviews each year. She became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle in 2016. Her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted in the Naugatuck Patch as well as the Patch sites closest to the venue. She is also a feature writer and theater reviewer for the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Her weekly column IN THE WINGS and theater reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the newspaper.

Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theatre Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the CCC Facebook page.