How far would you go to help a friend?  That’s the story behind Santuary City, now onstage at D’Youville Kavinoky Theatre.

I thoroughly enjoyed this production. The twists and turns in the scenes as well as on the set made for a truly enjoyable evening. 

J.Marc QuattenBaum’s (Set Designer) design was intriguing, and imaginative and appropriate for all of the numerous stage directions. 

Brian Cavanagh (Lighting Designer) always manages to be supportive without being intrusive. 

Amaya Mack (Costumes / Hair and Makeup Designer) appropriate as always. But even more so considering all of the different stage directions. 

Geoff Tocin (Sound Designer) chose one very distinct sound for the scene changings. Thank you anything else would have been extremely chaotic. 

Gabriel Gutierrez (Technical Director) along with Shannon Halloran (Scenic artist)  made for a very smooth and professional production.

As always kudos to the backbone of any production the (Stage Manager) Derek Moran and his assistant Camille. 

Olivia D’Amato (Production Photographer) for your great PR work. 

             CAST

Javier Talor Fox (B)

Outstanding performance, exceptional work, an extraordinary display of talent. Tour de force.

Talon Powell (Henry) 

Took command of the scene, it belonged to him.

Not because of the things spoken, but the things unspoken. Responded to the situations in  an appropriate manner.

 Zoe Gonez (G)

I must say that you did an excellent job with the knowledge and the experience that you possess unfortunately it was not enough. Please believe me when I say that the fault was not yours. I look forward to watching you blossom. I believe you are capable of praiseworthy work. 

When you decide to use a  actor/ actress with very little experience in a role of this magnitude, it’s the Director’s responsibility to take her/ him from milk, to baby food, to solid food, unfortunately this  was not the case.

Character was one dimensional, lines delivered to the sky, when not speaking Frozen. There was so many wonderful opportunities missed that I simply stopped counting. Example when she comes through the window and she’s freezing she just sits there doesn’t shake, doesn’t shiver, doesn’t look at the window to give any indication that it should be closed. They’re in the middle of her home and she’s got to give away some of the clothes even if this is mime she doesn’t look around to see which ones she wants to keep she doesn’t trip over them she doesn’t kick them out of the way. She’s sitting in the window talking about her mom being beat by a man she might as well have been saying please pass the salt. All of a sudden she has her arms around A why there was not a process. So many times they were in bed together they could have touched unexpectedly, they could have looked at each other they could have held a look a little too long it’s a process. She comes through the door after having several drinks no indication that she had one then she takes two sips of wine and she’s totally drunk no it’s a process please it’s work it is work do the work.

Sanctuary City   By Martyna Major

D’Youville Kavinoky Theatre

          March 21st through April 6th 

           2-hour run time with a 15-minute intermission