Steadstyle Chicago
February 2008 Theatre Review by Meghan Gillogly
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My Dinner With Amy
Critical Evaluation: *** out of ****
Tony
Fiorentino, Phillip M. McFarlane and Star Alexis Valezquez in the
Midwest Premiere of "My Dinner With Amy" at Theatre
Building Chicago.
Photo
by Michael Brosilow.
Diamante Productions' presents "My Dinner with Amy" at the Theatre Building starring Tony Fiorentino, Star Alexis Velasquez and Philip McFarlane. One of the stars of this play, Tony Fiorentino is also the writer/director creative force behind it as well. "My Dinner with Amy" is a little story about a blind date with a lot of unexpected topics being addressed that at first got off to a slow start.
The cast is a small one and there is only one scene with one set during an evening among strangers that had me wondering if the show would keep my attention. One self-proclaimed atheist, Tom (Tony Fiorentino) and another polar opposite personality/set of beliefs Amy (Star Alexis Velasquez) found themselves on a mission to disprove each others beliefs in place of an actual date. As the story unfolded, the dialogue became witty and often funny.
As the subject matter was based around people's religious beliefs or lack thereof, there were various quotes from the Bible as well fun little historical facts about philosophers that made the content that much more intriguing. Fiorentino's casting and direction for his fellow actors in this play were extraordinary and classically funny. Nathan (Philip McFarlane) at first was a little overly "hammy" and flamboyant for my taste as a stereotypical homosexual man. But halfway through the play I was laughing right along with the rest of the audience at his funny quirks and innuendos. His character often added a break up of the monotony and tension between the couple on stage. I applaud both the actor, McFarlane and Fiorentino's writing creativity and ability to keep the audience engaged. Velasquez's Amy was beautiful and believable as her motivations for why she was trying to "convert" Tom were clear and apparent. She offered fresh takes on what could be "yawn-worthy" material in the hands of an inexperienced actress. I ended up enjoying this story and would recommend it to adults of all beliefs and backgrounds for something new and different.
"My Dinner with Amy" is about 90 minutes in length with no intermission. It is playing through March 23, 2008 at the Theatre Building at 1225 WE. Belmont Ave. and tickets are $25. For details to purchase tickets and performance times call the Theatre Building's box office at 773-327-5252. Read Joe Stead's feature interview with Tony Fiorentino, the star, author and director of "My Dinner With Amy" at Theatre in Chicago.
About Meghan Gillogly
Meghan Gillogly was born and raised in Florida and has been involved with the arts since the age of two years old. She started as a dancer in everything from tap, jazz, ballet and some ballroom and taught in Orlando for a year. She had the opportunity to study and perform with the Sarasota Ballet of Florida, with Frank Hatchett, a master choreographer from NYC, and danced on Disney's Cinderella castle stage. She became involved with the theater at nine years old with a local community theater and was hooked ever since. Throughout high school she performed in many classic plays including "Guys and Dolls," "Me and my Girl," "Once Upon a Mattress," and "Good News".
After high school, she attended and studied musical theater at Florida State University, Florida Southern College, American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City, and is currently enrolled at Columbia College here in Chicago to complete her Bachelor's degree. She also had the pleasure of studying with Michael Pieper at Second City, a talented and colorful director. She moved to Chicago two years ago and loves it! Meghan has had experience with creative and analytical writing most recently when reviewing "Massacre" at the Goodman Theatre this past spring for class.
Upon graduating from Columbia, Meghan plans to pursue a professional career as an actress on stage and film and is excited at the great opportunities Chicago offers to all of the arts professionally. She is grateful for the opportunity to work with Steadstyle and see some of the world's best actors perform here in Chicago. She also looks forward to not only experiencing the performances but becoming educated as she is a budding actress herself!