|
|
The
Merchant of Venice – Charles Jarrett, Charles Jarrett Reviews and Rossmoor News
"...director
John Butterfield has delivered a remarkable
theatrical event..."
"[Alan Cameron, as Shylock, gives] a brilliant
performance, one of the most honest I have seen
anywhere, anytime.
"In addition, Donald L. Hardy, ...did equally
well, delivering a searing, heart-felt performance
as “Bassanio’s greatest friend”, Antonio. ...Nick
Wong ...likewise pulled me up short with a most
believable Bassanio."
"Portia and the young learned doctor (a
judge), Balthasar ... is played in stellar fashion
by Elizabeth A. Bell. Elizabeth’s transition from
young lover, Portia, excited over receiving Bassanio
as her future husband, to her role as Balthasar, a
character in which we find her disguised as a
fictitious young judge, is really quite excellent."
"Try it, I believe if you like Shakespeare, if you love theatre
for the art that it is, then you will certainly
enjoy this production." (more) |
 |
|
The
Importance of Being Earnest – Pat Craig, Contra Costa Times
"[Oscar] Wilde's unflinching look at British high society of a century
ago gets a winning revival from Butterfield 8 in Concord, which continues
its gender-bending tradition by casting the role of Lady Bracknell with a
man (Alan Cameron). He's hilarious, and the whole show benefits from strong
acting and director John Butterfield's charming tone."
“The Play is filled with wonderful performances...”
“This is an excellent production of the Wilde classic, both in terms of
the overall quality and in its intimacy...” (more)The
Importance of Being Earnest – Charles Jarrett, Rossmoor News
"The acting is absolutely superb by every member of the cast."
"This show is outstanding comedy, delivered with perfect timing, superb
bravado, with elegant costumes and set comfortably in and among the audience
members in a cabaret, café setting. Director John Butterfield has excelled
again!" (more)
|
 |
|
Midsummer
(2007) - Charles Jarrett, Rossmoor News
“This is a unique and thought provoking production of a tale often told
through European or American eyes. But by setting this play in the South
Pacific, a new dimension is encountered.” (more) |
 |
|
Bird
House
– Sally Hogarty, Walnut Creek Journal
“Although [local playwright] Jean [Butterfield] plans on doing more
rewrites of her script, she already has a very strong play that just needs a
little tweaking here and there.”
“The strong cast capably handles the difficult roles.” |
 |
|
Much Ado
About Nothing – Pat Craig, Contra Costa Times
“ The two couples deliver outstanding performances, combining
intelligent delivery of lines with a great physicality that enhances the
close-up nature of the production.”
“Butterfield’s direction is bold, well timed and sure-footed
giving the play a nice pace and a wonderfully romantic sensibility.” |
 |
|
Romeo and
Julian
– Pat Craig, Contra Costa Times
“... there are places in Romeo and Julian that work beautifully and add
new and different facets to Shakespeare’s timeless star-crossed
romance.
[John] Butterfield and [Chris] Geritz are well cast as the lovers. Their
performances are not only convincing but also touching, with a sense of
innocence and passion. [Maureen-Theresa] Williams as the nurse gives a
memorable performance interpreting the role wonderfully with a fine edged
touch of down to earth humanity.” |
 |
|
Blithe
Spirit
– Charles Jarrett, Rossmoor News
“Director
John Butterfield has gathered a superb cast of professional level, highly
entertaining actors and delivers a lively, delightful performance” |
 |
|
Twelfth
Night - Christina Engelbrecht, Contra Costa Times
The subtext in this Twelfth Night is very strong. But the most intriguing
element of the production is a seamless marriage between the Jazz era and the
Shakespearian text. The narrative is forwarded through a seamless tapestry of
Jazz standards and the Elizabethan text. The play, which brought you, the
famous line “ if music be the food of love, play on.” Already has
an integral musical component as imagined by Shakespeare. An instrumental
Jazz quartet on stage adds to the accompaniment to the scenes enabling music
to act as a living breathing character. If you like your Shakespeare with
posturing, stilted iambic pentameter and doublets, this “Twelfth
Night” is not for you. But if you are invigorated by the idea of
Shakespeare igniting creative theatrical experiments, then its worth seeing
how Butterfield interprets the bard. |
 |
|
Midsummer (2002) - Pat Craig, Contra Costa Times
“A fascinating twist to the tale. Delightful dance
interludes which add tremendously to the mysterious
feeling of the forest and the story. The production
takes full advantage of the Town Hall Theatre with
actors rushing through the audience, up and down the
aisles, bringing an enormous amount of energy to the
play and setting the mood of a midsummer adventure.”
(more)
Midsummer (2002) - Charles Jarrett, Rossmoor News
“[John] Butterfield uses the entire theater as his
stage and the audience finds fairies surrounding it.
Midsummer Nights Dream is a beautifully
choreographed play, full of fun and frustration and
jealousy and love and vigor.”
(more)
|
 |
|
Medea - Pat Craig, Contra
Costa Times
“Stunning.” (more)
|
 |
|
|
|
