Seating on three sides is as close to the brother Marco is the fulcrum on which action as you’ll ever be; at times you the “bloody course” takes its final turn; could reach out and touch one or Ram Kanneganti is terrific in the role. another of the characters, and Alex He captures Marco’s quiet reserve Dmitriev’s understated direction and confident strength (of body and Welcome Aboard “A View from the Bridge” in Brooklyn Harbor (nothing is forced) is a perfect fit for character) perfectly. His first-act curtain June 11, 2018 the space…and is reflected in the gesture – a magnificent Miller moment – By Philip Dorian naturalistic performances. is gripping. (Wishing it were staged here SCENEONSTAGE.COM more center may be a quibble, but Judging by their names, O’Brien and there it is.) Playwright Arthur Miller maintained a what means…and to what end. Then Beckman are hardly Italian, but their lasting interest in his own plays, frequently the family takes in a pair of illegal- mastery of the ethnic Brooklynese argot, Mr. Alfieri is the playwright’s stand-in, popping in to productions unannounced. immigrant brothers from Italy, and in which much of the dialogue is written, keeping us aware of the tale’s inexorable (I once spotted him at a performance of the attraction between Catherine is spot-on. (Run-on sentences and the downward arc. Joe Gioco personifies his “Death of a Salesman” in New Jersey.) and Rodolpho (Jacob Dabby), the recurring relative pronoun “which” are street-wise intuition and his frustration younger “submarine,” sets that course. particularly flavorful.) The two actors over his inability to alter the flow. Smaller Miller’s 1955 “A View from the Bridge” As the play progresses from there, the make Eddie and Beatrice’s marriage a but significant scene-setting roles was inspired by a tale told to him by ominous becomes obvious, and much reality. are played admirably by Jabari Brown, a Brooklyn water-front worker who had as we might prefer a resolution that Benjamin Sheedy, and Matthew Nersinger. known the protagonist’s real-life spares us emotionally, we know in our The physical aspect of Catherine and (Ajalon Glover is credited as “Deck prototype. The play was poorly received hearts that is not to be. Eddie’s interaction is played down (I’ve Crew.” How often do you see that?) originally, but “while watching a perfor- seen it with lap-sitting and some mance,” Miller later wrote, “I saw my Brave New World specializes in site- quasi-casual touching), but Catherine’s “Salesman” and “The Crucible” might be own involvement…suddenly the play specific productions, and mounting unconscious allure comes across in Ms. Arthur Miller’s crowning achievements, seemed to be mine and not merely a “A View from the Bridge” on a barge Horan’s playing, as does her budding but “A View from the Bridge” is an story I had heard,” and he set about actually afloat on the Red Hook, awareness of it in scenes with Dabby, equally brilliant exploration into recent revising it. The result was – and remains – Brooklyn waterfront, is inspired. The whose off-the-boat demeanor and American social history. “I believe that a stirring portrayal of a man’s ‘Waterfront Museum & Showboat Barge’ accent are very well played. His older the common man is as apt a subject for psychological dilemma and the effect it is covered over and cleaned up some tragedy in its highest sense as kings has on his close and extended families. from its seafaring days, but its original were,” Miller wrote about Willy Loman. The fine Brave New World Repertory weathered deck and spars are intact. But it applies equally to Eddie Carbone. Theatre production is faithful to the One can only wish that Miller, who died Don’t think so? Go sit right in the playwright’s image and intent. in 2005, were still around to sneak up the Carbone parlor on a barge in Red Hook gangplank into a performance. while they act it out. You’ll see. Brooklyn longshoreman Eddie Carbone and his wife Beatrice (Rich O’Brien and Claire Beckman) have raised Bea’s About the tech: Everything is necessarily orphaned niece Catherine (Maggie minimal on the playing space, but it all Horan), who is now 17. Eddie is way works. Seeing no set designer credit in over-protective, masking intense the program, I asked for a name. Brave longings that only he and Catherine New World artistic director Claire fail to recognize: she in her sheltered Beckman replied: “As with most BNW naiveté and Eddie in his willful productions, we have no set designer. unawareness. Beatrice, women’s Because we do site specific theatre, the intuition incarnate, is constrained by director, Alex, set the stage— with her role in a 1950s patriarchal marriage input from Captain David Sharps, who from broaching the taboo subject. provided nautical artifacts found on the barge, along with the lighting designer We are made aware at the start by [Diana Duecker] & props master neighborhood lawyer Mr. Alfieri (Joe W[Gabrielle Giacomo]. It’s a collabora- Gioco), who addresses us periodically, tive effort, to allow the site to be a char- that the situation will “run its bloody Catherine (Maggie Horan), left, Eddie (Rich O’Brien) acter in the production.” Like I said, it course.” It is just a question of through and Beatrice (Claire Beckman). Photos: Doug Barron works. Seating on three sides is as close to the brother Marco is the fulcrum on which action as you’ll ever be; at times you the “bloody course” takes its final turn; could reach out and touch one or Ram Kanneganti is terrific in the role. another of the characters, and Alex He captures Marco’s quiet reserve Dmitriev’s understated direction and confident strength (of body and (nothing is forced) is a perfect fit for character) perfectly. His first-act curtain the space…and is reflected in the gesture – a magnificent Miller moment – naturalistic performances. is gripping. (Wishing it were staged here more center may be a quibble, but Judging by their names, O’Brien and there it is.) Playwright Arthur Miller maintained a what means…and to what end. Then Beckman are hardly Italian, but their lasting interest in his own plays, frequently the family takes in a pair of illegal- mastery of the ethnic Brooklynese argot, Mr. Alfieri is the playwright’s stand-in, popping in to productions unannounced. immigrant brothers from Italy, and in which much of the dialogue is written, keeping us aware of the tale’s inexorable (I once spotted him at a performance of the attraction between Catherine is spot-on. (Run-on sentences and the downward arc. Joe Gioco personifies his “Death of a Salesman” in New Jersey.) and Rodolpho (Jacob Dabby), the recurring relative pronoun “which” are street-wise intuition and his frustration younger “submarine,” sets that course. particularly flavorful.) The two actors over his inability to alter the flow. Smaller Miller’s 1955 “A View from the Bridge” As the play progresses from there, the make Eddie and Beatrice’s marriage a but significant scene-setting roles was inspired by a tale told to him by ominous becomes obvious, and much reality. are played admirably by Jabari Brown, a Brooklyn water-front worker who had as we might prefer a resolution that Benjamin Sheedy, and Matthew Nersinger. known the protagonist’s real-life spares us emotionally, we know in our The physical aspect of Catherine and (Ajalon Glover is credited as “Deck prototype. The play was poorly received hearts that is not to be. Eddie’s interaction is played down (I’ve Crew.” How often do you see that?) originally, but “while watching a perfor- seen it with lap-sitting and some mance,” Miller later wrote, “I saw my Brave New World specializes in site- quasi-casual touching), but Catherine’s “Salesman” and “The Crucible” might be own involvement…suddenly the play specific productions, and mounting unconscious allure comes across in Ms. Arthur Miller’s crowning achievements, seemed to be mine and not merely a “A View from the Bridge” on a barge Horan’s playing, as does her budding but “A View from the Bridge” is an story I had heard,” and he set about actually afloat on the Red Hook, awareness of it in scenes with Dabby, equally brilliant exploration into recent revising it. The result was – and remains – Brooklyn waterfront, is inspired. The whose off-the-boat demeanor and American social history. “I believe that a stirring portrayal of a man’s ‘Waterfront Museum & Showboat Barge’ accent are very well played. His older the common man is as apt a subject for psychological dilemma and the effect it is covered over and cleaned up some tragedy in its highest sense as kings has on his close and extended families. from its seafaring days, but its original were,” Miller wrote about Willy Loman. The fine Brave New World Repertory weathered deck and spars are intact. But it applies equally to Eddie Carbone. Theatre production is faithful to the One can only wish that Miller, who died Don’t think so? Go sit right in the playwright’s image and intent. in 2005, were still around to sneak up the Carbone parlor on a barge in Red Hook gangplank into a performance. while they act it out. You’ll see. Brooklyn longshoreman Eddie Carbone and his wife Beatrice (Rich O’Brien and Claire Beckman) have raised Bea’s About the tech: Everything is necessarily orphaned niece Catherine (Maggie minimal on the playing space, but it all Horan), who is now 17. Eddie is way works. Seeing no set designer credit in over-protective, masking intense the program, I asked for a name. Brave longings that only he and Catherine New World artistic director Claire fail to recognize: she in her sheltered Beckman replied: “As with most BNW naiveté and Eddie in his willful productions, we have no set designer. unawareness. Beatrice, women’s Because we do site specific theatre, the intuition incarnate, is constrained by director, Alex, set the stage— with her role in a 1950s patriarchal marriage input from Captain David Sharps, who from broaching the taboo subject. provided nautical artifacts found on the barge, along with the lighting designer We are made aware at the start by [Diana Duecker] & props master neighborhood lawyer Mr. Alfieri (Joe W[Gabrielle Giacomo]. It’s a collabora- Gioco), who addresses us periodically, tive effort, to allow the site to be a char- From left: Claire Beckman as Beatrice, Jacob Dabby that the situation will “run its bloody (Rodolpho), Maggie Horan (Catherine), Ram acter in the production.” Like I said, it course.” It is just a question of through Kanneganti (Marco). Photos: Doug Barron works. Brooklyn's Brave New World Repertory Theatre Presents Arthur Miller's A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE BWW News Desk May 21, 2018 Brave New World Repertory Theatre, the Brooklyn-based theatre company that first won acclaim with To Kill A Mockingbird staged on the front porches of Victorian Flatbush in 2005, is pleased to present Arthur Miller'sA View From The Bridge onboard the Waterfront Barge Museum in Red Hook Brooklyn, where the play is set, May 31-June 24. Brave New World's immersive production, onboard the covered century old barge docked in Red Hook, will involve the audience in a classic domestic drama about a longshoreman named Eddie Carbone, his wife Beatrice and their orphaned niece Catherine. When Beatrice's undocumented relatives arrive from Italy to work the docks, conflict grows between Eddie and cousin Rodolpho. The intimacy of the Waterfront Museum space, with the audience merely feet away from the action, will serve to drive home the tragic events of the story. The play is especially timely, says Claire Beckman, BNW's co-founder/producing artistic director who is also playing Beatrice. "Eddie Carbone is a flawed Everyman like most of Miller's leading men," she says, "but he is also xenophobic, homophobic, patriarchal, white and working class. He does his fair share of 'mansplaining,' while he struggles with inappropriate feelings for his 17 year-old niece. He checks every box for the tragically flawed American Male in 2018." Director Alex Dmitriev, whom Beckman first met 30 years ago in another production of View, says the intimate setting aboard the Waterfront Museum will let in the tragedy of the story, "allowing the audience in Miller's words 'to strike a particular note of astonishment at the way in which, and the reasons for which, a man will endanger and risk and lose his very life.'"

Catherine (Maggie Horan) and Rodolpho (Jacob Dabby) this play will be staged. Ten performances Thirty years ago, Ms. Beckman played the are planned on the 90-seat barge through young Catherine, directed by this same June 24. director — Mr. Dmitriev — at the Philadelphia WORKS IN PROGRESS Drama Guild. Then in 2000, she met Mr. Ms. Beckman, who is also producing the Miller, who signed her copy of the play in A View From the Barge play, had been trying for eight years Brooklynese: “Hope you did it good!” Mr. to get the rights to “A View From the Miller scrawled on the title page. May 16, 2018 Bridge” but was stymied by Broadway By Helene Stapinski productions like the 2009 version that Several of the cast members are New The New York Times landed Scarlett Johansson a Tony Award York born and bred, giving the play an and a more recent stripped-down authenticity — and a thick accent — it A tragedy unfolded last week in a interpretation directed by Ivo van has lacked in more recent incarnations. preschool classroom in Ditmas Park, Hove with a mostly British cast. “Talk” is pronounced “TAWK.” “Italy” is Brooklyn, which included an unhealthy pronounced “IT-lee.” “Her” is “HUH,” and love obsession, illegal immigrants and a the collective you, of course, is “youse.” violent standoff, all staged amid blocks, hula hoops and children’s books. The local flavor extends to the theater itself, anchored off the waterfront where Members of Brave New World Repertory the action in the play unfolds. The company Theater were rehearsing “A View From has worked with David Sharps, who runs and lives on the barge, since 2007, when the Bridge,” Arthur Miller’s play set in Before the play makes it to the barge, Maggie Horan working-class Brooklyn, which after years they did a staged reading of “The School and Jacob Dabby run through lines at a Brooklyn for Wives,” the first of several productions of revivals in other places, has finally daycare center. Photo credit: Idris Solomon for The on which they collaborated. landed back where it was born — in New York Times working-class Brooklyn. “We had been wanting to do something “Am I off set?” asked Claire Beckman, But the wait was worth it, Ms. Beckman said, and the timing is perfect. together again for a while,” Ms. Beckman The play, which starts previews on May 31, playing the character Beatrice, as she said. “So when I got the rights for this, I just will be presented on a barge in Red Hook, glanced down at a tiny red chair marking approached David and he was thrilled.” not far from where the action in the the stage perimeter. “This is an incredible time to do ‘A View From the Bridge,’” said Ms. Beckman drama takes place. Rehearsals have He pointed out that barges in New York been scattered, though, wherever the “Yes,” answered Joe Gioco from the between scenes. “I’ve wanted to do it for a long time. Now immigrants are being have a long history as showboats. “It’s cast could find the space, including the imaginary wings. (He was playing the so great to see it come alive with the Cortelyou Early Childhood Center and the narrator and the lawyer, Alfieri.) “You rounded up in Sunset Park as we speak. I can imagine how Arthur Miller would feel excitement of a play about a couple in producer’s living room in Ditmas Park. would be on the lap of an audience Red Hook. It’s very authentic.” And recently, there have been a few member right about now.” about it all. It would break his heart.” rehearsals on the actual Waterfront Moments later, Ms. Beckman was Ms. Beckman agreed. “We’ve had the Museum and Showboat Barge, which is The plot involves a 1950s Brooklyn Hollywood cast with Scarlett Johansson anchored in Red Hook Channel adjacent longshoreman named Eddie Carbone rehearsing her own scene, playing the exasperated wife of Eddie. She nervously and Liev Schreiber and then the English to Fairway. who is obsessed with his 17-year-old cast,” she said. “Now it’s Brooklyn.” orphaned niece, Catherine, who in turn is milled about the stage, trying to find the “Don’t be afraid to fight,” shouted the in love with an illegal Italian immigrant right combination of motion and stillness director, Alex Dmitriev, on the third go named Rodolpho. Eddie, fueled by as she argued with her stage husband around of a scene between the young jealous rage, calls the immigration officials and banged around boxes of crayons — characters Catherine and Rodolpho. “This on Rodolpho, turning the Brooklyn a stand-in for boxes of Christmas decorations, is a lover’s quarrel.” Scripts with yellow community against him and leading to his which the character is supposed to be highlighted lines were strewn about. Props own demise. packing up in her Brooklyn tenement. wouldn’t be brought in until tech week around May 23, so actors were improvising Brave New World, known for its immersive In a break in the action, Ms. Beckman told with preschool furniture and toys. At one Brooklyn productions, has staged “To Kill a the stage manager Rachael Houser to point, a custodian — not in the cast — Mockingbird” on Ditmas Park porches, order up a Nativity crèche from the prop wheeled a noisy bucket and mop through “Street Scene” on a Park Slope sidewalk master. “We need all the usual suspects the action, causing the director to stop and “On the Waterfront” on the very and the manger,” she shouted. “Baby the scene. same waterfront barge museum where Jesus, all the animals, the kings.” “Good idea,” said the director. this play will be staged. Ten performances Thirty years ago, Ms. Beckman played the are planned on the 90-seat barge through young Catherine, directed by this same June 24. director — Mr. Dmitriev — at the Philadelphia Drama Guild. Then in 2000, she met Mr. Ms. Beckman, who is also producing the Miller, who signed her copy of the play in play, had been trying for eight years Brooklynese: “Hope you did it good!” Mr. to get the rights to “A View From the Miller scrawled on the title page. Bridge” but was stymied by Broadway productions like the 2009 version that Several of the cast members are New landed Scarlett Johansson a Tony Award York born and bred, giving the play an and a more recent stripped-down authenticity — and a thick accent — it A tragedy unfolded last week in a interpretation directed by Ivo van has lacked in more recent incarnations. preschool classroom in Ditmas Park, Hove with a mostly British cast. “Talk” is pronounced “TAWK.” “Italy” is Brooklyn, which included an unhealthy pronounced “IT-lee.” “Her” is “HUH,” and the collective you, of course, is “youse.” love obsession, illegal immigrants and a The rights to put on violent standoff, all staged amid blocks, the play were hula hoops and children’s books. granted only after The local flavor extends to the theater high-profile itself, anchored off the waterfront where Members of Brave New World Repertory Broadway the action in the play unfolds. The company Theater were rehearsing “A View From productions finished has worked with David Sharps, who runs their runs. Photo and lives on the barge, since 2007, when the Bridge,” Arthur Miller’s play set in credit: Idris Solomon working-class Brooklyn, which after years they did a staged reading of “The School for The New York for Wives,” the first of several productions of revivals in other places, has finally Times on which they collaborated. landed back where it was born — in working-class Brooklyn. “We had been wanting to do something “Am I off set?” asked Claire Beckman, But the wait was worth it, Ms. Beckman said, and the timing is perfect. together again for a while,” Ms. Beckman The play, which starts previews on May 31, playing the character Beatrice, as she said. “So when I got the rights for this, I just will be presented on a barge in Red Hook, glanced down at a tiny red chair marking approached David and he was thrilled.” not far from where the action in the the stage perimeter. “This is an incredible time to do ‘A View From the Bridge,’” said Ms. Beckman drama takes place. Rehearsals have He pointed out that barges in New York been scattered, though, wherever the “Yes,” answered Joe Gioco from the between scenes. “I’ve wanted to do it for a long time. Now immigrants are being have a long history as showboats. “It’s cast could find the space, including the imaginary wings. (He was playing the so great to see it come alive with the Cortelyou Early Childhood Center and the narrator and the lawyer, Alfieri.) “You rounded up in Sunset Park as we speak. I can imagine how Arthur Miller would feel excitement of a play about a couple in producer’s living room in Ditmas Park. would be on the lap of an audience Red Hook. It’s very authentic.” And recently, there have been a few member right about now.” about it all. It would break his heart.” rehearsals on the actual Waterfront Moments later, Ms. Beckman was Ms. Beckman agreed. “We’ve had the Museum and Showboat Barge, which is The plot involves a 1950s Brooklyn Hollywood cast with Scarlett Johansson anchored in Red Hook Channel adjacent longshoreman named Eddie Carbone rehearsing her own scene, playing the exasperated wife of Eddie. She nervously and Liev Schreiber and then the English to Fairway. who is obsessed with his 17-year-old cast,” she said. “Now it’s Brooklyn.” orphaned niece, Catherine, who in turn is milled about the stage, trying to find the “Don’t be afraid to fight,” shouted the in love with an illegal Italian immigrant right combination of motion and stillness director, Alex Dmitriev, on the third go named Rodolpho. Eddie, fueled by as she argued with her stage husband around of a scene between the young jealous rage, calls the immigration officials and banged around boxes of crayons — characters Catherine and Rodolpho. “This on Rodolpho, turning the Brooklyn a stand-in for boxes of Christmas decorations, is a lover’s quarrel.” Scripts with yellow community against him and leading to his which the character is supposed to be highlighted lines were strewn about. Props own demise. packing up in her Brooklyn tenement. wouldn’t be brought in until tech week around May 23, so actors were improvising Brave New World, known for its immersive In a break in the action, Ms. Beckman told with preschool furniture and toys. At one Brooklyn productions, has staged “To Kill a the stage manager Rachael Houser to point, a custodian — not in the cast — Mockingbird” on Ditmas Park porches, order up a Nativity crèche from the prop wheeled a noisy bucket and mop through “Street Scene” on a Park Slope sidewalk master. “We need all the usual suspects the action, causing the director to stop and “On the Waterfront” on the very and the manger,” she shouted. “Baby the scene. same waterfront barge museum where Jesus, all the animals, the kings.” Richard O’Brien, born and raised in Queens, plays Eddie Carbone, a longshoreman.Photo credit: Idris “Good idea,” said the director. Solomon for The New York Times