INVINCIBLE FEATURED AT NJPAC IN NEWARK, NJ AND AT THE WORLD FAMOUS APOLLO IN HARLEM

New York, New York:  In honor of the June 25^th passing of Michael Jackson, Bessie award winning producer and creator, Darrin Ross, has put together a spectacular #1 MJ tribute show entitled “Invincible: A Glorious Tribute to Michael Jackson,” slated to appear at New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), 1 Center Street, Newark, NJ, on Saturday, June 13 at 8:00 p.m.  Also, RossLive Entertainment in association with Sun Song Productions will present “Invincible” at the world famous Apollo Theater, located at 253 West 125^th Street in Harlem, New York, on Friday, June 19 at 7:00 p.m.

“INVINCIBLE,” IS ENDORSED BY JOE JACKSON AS THE #1 MJ TRIBUTE SHOW

Each year something new is added to this spectacular. This year promises to be a musical, video, dance and light-work blockbuster with Michael Jackson’s former choreographer, LaVelle Smith, Jr., joining “Invincible: A Glorious Tribute to Michael Jackson” to add exceptional dance numbers to the show. In fact, Ross and Smith have created so much new material it cannot be contained in one show and thus, those attending the Apollo Theater show will benefit from the brilliant additional routines that will spill over into yet another venue.  It’s not a show one can see once. It has to be seen twice and perhaps even thrice. MJ look and sound alike Impersonators, Jeffrey Perez and Pete Carter add such excitement to the show, fans after viewing their performance, state Perez and Carter make them feel (at least for two hours) they are witnessing the real Michael once again.  The show is that phenomenal!

Those attending the tribute show can also look forward to seeing the Grammy Award winning, Harlem GospeLive vocalists, vocal percussion genius, Anointed S; as well as master musicians and varied percussionists with special guests yet to be announced. 

The producers of the show claim “Invincible” is the only show that brings back the spirit and the essence of seeing Michael Jackson Live again onstage. Impersonator Pete Carter is a master dancer who reenacts the unique dances for which Jackson was so famous when alive. In fact, the “Invincible” show features different talent who portray Michael at different stages of his dynamic career.  Jeffrey Perez showcases the superstar’s greatest hits including “Billie Jean,” “Beat It,” “Thriller,” "Smooth Criminal,” "Man In the Mirror" and “Slave To The Rhythm” via hologram recreation and so much more.

The show will kick-off its East coast evolving tour in Prudential Hall at NJPAC in Newark, NJ.  Tickets can be obtained at Ticketmaster.com for both the NJPAC show and the Apollo Theater show.  However, fans can also obtain tickets from the NJPAC box office by calling 888-GO NJPAC (466-5722) or by going on line at www.njpac.org.  Purchasers who call the box office for show tickets can ask for the few remaining VIP tickets at $100.00 which entitles the purchaser to the best seats, as well as an after show meet and greet reception, a personal photo with the artists and an exclusive sixth anniversary INVINCIBLE show poster. 

New Yorkers and those in Westchester and surrounding areas, can get their tickets for the June 19^th Apollo performance at the Apollo Box Office located at 253 West 125^th Street in Harlem. Call (212) 531-5305 and/or via Ticketmaster.com.  VIP ticket holder will get an opportunity to meet and greet the performers.   VIP ticket holders will get an opportunity to meet and greet the performers.

Michael Jackson enthusiast can learn more about “Invincible” and its considerable buzz by tuning into the “Topically Yours” BlakeRadio, Rainbow Soul, interview at 2:00 p.m., with Darrin Ross and choreographer LaVelle Smith, Jr., who worked with MJ for 23 years. See link: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/blakeradio/2015/06/01/topically-yours--producer-darrin-ross-and-choreographer-lavelle-smith-jr

The multi-media live performance of this sixth anniversary exclusive of “Invincible: A Glorious Tribute to Michael Jackson” is a moving extravaganza…so I suggest you get your tickets soon before they are all gone! In fact, if you enjoyed Michael Jackson’s Immortal World Tour, you will love this Invincible Tribute to Michael Jackson.  It’s Alive!  It’s Electric! It’s Authentically Michael!!! You simply "Got to Be There!!!!"

Forever Freestyle in its 9th Year at Lehman Center

By Deardra Shuler


Producer Sal Abbatiello of Fever Records is once again bringing Latin freestyle music to the stage via his Forever Freestyle 9 show which takes place in the Bronx, at Lehman Center for the Performing Arts, on Saturday, March 7th at 8:00 p.m. Tickets for the popular show go quickly so fans should get to the box office before the show is sold out. Featured this year, will be Latin freestyle artists: TKA/K7, Judy Torres, The Cover Girls, Noel, Lisette Melendez, Rob Base, Soave, Coro, Nocerra, George Lamond Sugar Hill Gang. Also featured is Lucho, DJ Solo and The Whiteboy DJ KYS. Hosts for the show are Speedy and producer Sal Abbatiello.


The Queen of Freestyle, Judy Torres, took the time on a 27 degree winter day to chat with me. “The Freestyle show is always lots of fun. The Bronx fans come out at Lehman Center, and performing with my fellow artists always feels like we are getting together for an annual party. There is nothing like performing in the Bronx. I was born in the Bronx and lived there until I was 25. I had some of my best and worst memories there,” said the singer who attended St. Thomas Aquinas, a Catholic school then eventually went on to Lehman College.


Ms. Torres reflected on the early days of her career. “I was obsessed about being a singer and I kept wondering why I hadn’t been discovered. I was a teenager but I performed in talent shows and occasionally in night clubs around my area, impatiently hoping someone would discover me. I was doing a gong show in a tiny club where the singers were supposed to sing badly but they all sang well. So, I decided to sing like Edith Bunker of the show All In the Family. A judge attempted to gong me but I was joking and the audience got that, so stopped him. After the show that same judge approached me stating he wanted to help me. He told me to give him 6 months to get me a paid gig. He advised me I needed original songs, so he introduced me to Micky Garcia who needed his songs recorded. I was given a song entitled Loves Going to Get You. One day, at an audition, I met a singer who didn’t like her song which was “No Reason to Cry.” I loved that song and she loved my song, so we switched songs. It took awhile for “No Reason to Cry” to pick up momentum because it wasn’t on the radio but eventually I signed with an independent label and then the song got air play. “No Reason to Cry” became my first hit single. I was 18. Later I went with Profile Records where I rerecord “No Reason to Cry” under a different mix and sound. I recorded another single called “Come into My Arms,” which did better than No Reason to Cry. Torres also recorded “Faithfully” which became a Number One hit. My career picked up. Bills got paid and I was able to help family,” said Judy recalling the excitement she felt when her song hit.


Many artists have sung, and written songs, that have impacted their lives. “Each song I sing has significance for me,” claimed the freestyle singer. “Come into My Arms” meant something to me because I co-wrote it and wrote it about someone who broke my heart. My mother told me to use music to help me feel better. I’ve noted that when going through some kind of angst, I write my best material. I think that is when I’m fully present in my feelings,” remarked Judy who in her free time goes into schools to talk with young people about self esteem and the damage caused by bullying. “I also do some acting when I am not singing and have recently started teaching Zumba classes in New Jersey,” mentioned the busy artist.


Ms. Torres recently married in October 2014 and now has a step daughter. “Marriage has been an adjustment but I love it. My step daughter is a wonderful girl and I love being a mother. I now have a family I didn’t think I was going to have,” remarked Torres who still hosts a show on WKTU from 3:00 to 8:00 pm on Sundays. Formerly her show featured mostly freestyle music but the station has since changed their format to top 40s.


Judy recorded a song in 2010 entitled “Stay” originally a county song told from the perspective of the other woman.


Freestyle is at the heart of Judy’s recordings and she is grateful to Sal Abbatiello of Fever Records for keeping Freestyle music alive. “Although Freestyle has unfortunately left the radio waves for the most part, it has a devoted fan base. Therefore, Sal who was instrumental in creating the freestyle movement, has kept it alive by providing the venues where and singers who, fans can support via his Freestyle shows. So, whenever Sal calls I am there and enjoy being part of it. I believe I speak for all the freestyle artists when I say that we are grateful for our devoted fans,” said Judy earnestly.

Ms. Torres will be part of the Freestyle Forever 9 at Lehman Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday, March 7th at 8:00 pm.  Lehman Center is located at 250 Bedford Park Boulevard West in the Bronx where interested parties can get tickets at the Lehman Center Box Office by calling 718-960-8833 or by going on line at www.LehmanCenter.org.  Lehman Center is accessible by #4 or D train to Bedford Park Blvd, and is off the Saw Mill Parkway and the Major Deegan Expressway.  Parking is $5.

King of Pop "Invincible" Tribute Tickets on Sale at NJPAC

By Deardra Shuler

Michael Jackson’s death on June 25, 2009, sent shock waves throughout the world. “The Man in the Mirror” was “Gone too Soon.” We were grieved and “Sad” and knew there would be no other like Michael Jackson. Unusual, eccentric, exquisite and unbelievably talented, Jackson was an original and shining star. He was the “2000 Watts” that lit up the stage every time he performed. Some claimed he was “2 Bad,” but all agreed he was very, very good. In fact, Michael Jackson was amazing. Any others attempting to step into Mr. Jackson’s footsteps have to prove their worth by making their presentation nothing less than spectacular.

Now, I don’t “Wanna Be Startin Something,” or maybe I do! But I must say the closest I have seen to a duplication of Michael’s onstage performance are the performers in creator, producer, director, and Bessie Award winner, Darrin Ross’s tribute to Michael Jackson, entitled "Invincible: A Glorious Tribute to Michael Jackson." If you have never “Ben” to the show, you better “Ease on Down the Road”, and “Beat It” to the box office at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, located at 1 Center Street, in Newark, NJ, where tickets for INVINCIBLE: A GLORIOUS TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL JACKSON go on sale, Thursday, February 19th and then are open to public sale on Friday, February 20th.

Each year something new is added, with performances getting better and better. This year promises to be a musical, dance and light-work spectacular. The actual show is to be held at Prudential Hall on June 13, 2015. However, VIP tickets go on pre-sale Thursday, February 19th and on public sale Friday, February 20th due to the enormous popularity of the show. Fans can obtain tickets by calling the NJPAC box office at 888-GO NJPAC (466-5722) or can go on line at www.njpac.org. Purchasers who call the box office for show tickets and VIP tickets should mention the code MJLOVE since only 200 VIP tickets are available. The price for a VIP ticket is $100 and gets you the best seats, as well as an after show meet and greet reception, a personal photo with the artists and an exclusive sixth anniversary INVINCIBLE show poster.

I have witnessed fans getting so wrapped up in the dynamics of the show, they go crazy and "Shout" "We Love You, Michael!!!," indicating there is no "Xscape" from the excitement of the show which is a real Thriller. The multi-media live performance of this sixth anniversary exclusive is a moving extravaganza…so I suggest you get your tickets soon before they are all gone! In fact, if you enjoyed Michael Jackson’s Immortal World Tour, you will love the Invincible Tribute to Michael Jackson and know you simply "Got to Be There."

The producers of the show claim “Invincible” is the only show that brings back the spirit and the essence of seeing Michael Jackson Live again onstage. Impersonator Pete Carter is a master dancer who reenacts the unique dances for which Jackson was so famous when alive. In fact, the Invincible show features different talent who portray Michael at different stages of his dynamic career, showcasing the superstar’s greatest hits including “Billie Jean,” “Beat It,” “Thriller,” "Smooth Criminal,” "Man In The Mirror" and “Slave To The Rhythm” via hologram recreation and so much more. This show has the only MJ impersonators in the world who can sing, dance and look hauntingly like Michael Jackson.

After seeing and listening to Live concert performer, Jeffrey Perez sing and Pete Carter dance in “Invincible: A Glorious Tribute to Michael Jackson,” fans have claimed they felt a “Euphoria” as if they were watching the King of Pop once again performing live in front of them. The world class dance company enthralls viewers in “Smooth Criminal,” et al, as does the Grammy Award winning, Harlem GospeLive vocalists, Vocal Percussion genius, Anointed S, master musicians and varied percussionists. There will be special guests yet to be revealed, who make this tribute to Michael Jackson nothing short of extraordinary. So, put Saturday, June 13th at 8:00 pm on your calendars and “Come Together” at NJPAC, so you do not miss “Invincible” the Michael Jackson Fan Extravaganza of the Season.

Lehman Center Celebrates Valentine’s Day with Orquesta Sinfónica del Estado de México

By Deardra Shuler

With Valentine’s Day on the horizon, the cost of flowers and candy will go higher.  People will look to take their love ones out to a nice dinner.  Babysitters will be called so married couples can spend some quiet time together.  Love costs.  However, if you want beauty and music combined, Lehman Center for the Performing Arts has renowned conductor and Musical Director, Enrique Batiz, directing the Orquesta Sinfonica del Estado de Mexico this Valentine’s Day, Saturday, February 14^th at 8:00 pm.  With tickets prices ranging from $35, $30 and $25, you can even take your children, ages 12 and under, for the special price of $10.

The Orquesta Sinfonica del Estado de Mexico (Symphony Orchestra of the State of Mexico) was founded in 1971 through the initiative of the government of the State of Mexico and Maestro Enrique Batiz.  It was formed with the purpose of promoting unity and identification for the citizens of the state of Mexico through music.  And indeed the orchestra has become a cultural gem and a source of pride in the city of Toluca where it is based.  The orchestra features a wide range of music which includes traditional Spanish and Mexican music as well as the classics.  Music lovers can hear Verdi and Beethovan, and included within the Lehman Center program, the audience can enjoy “Three Spanish Dances” (Enrique Granados), “Noches en los Jardines de Espana” (Manuel de Falla) and “Symphony No. 1 in C Minor, Op. 68” (Johannes Brahms).

Led by acclaimed conductor and musical director Enrique Bátiz, the performance will feature rising star piano soloist Irina Chistiakova. The Symphony Orchestra of the State of Mexico is noted for its endeavor to carry its musical message to all the corners of its country and municipalities of its state.  In fact, Enrique Batiz, the Orchestra’s chief conductor, musical and artistic director, who has the double heritage of Mexican and Polish, has been repeatedly honored and is considered one of the most famous conductors in Latin America.  Born in Mexico City, Batiz began playing the piano at 8 years old.  He attended Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas and then continued his studies at Julliard School of Music in New York City.  He began touring extensively in the United States in1964 as a pianist, and from 1965-1971 toured throughout Europe both as a soloist and featured performer with major orchestras including the Royal Philharmonic, the London Philharmonic and the London Symphony.

In 1971, Maestro Bátiz founded the Orquesta Sinfónica del Estado de México and was its conductor and musical director for 12 years (1971-1983) before moving to the Mexico City Philharmonic Orchestra for seven years (1983-1989). In 1990, he returned to the Orquesta Sinfónica, where he continues to this day.  The enthusiastic conductor has guest conducted over 500 symphony orchestras worldwide and has a musical catalogue that ranges from classical to contemporary music.

Joining the Orquesta Sinfonica del Estado de Mexico on stage February 14^th, is the renowned Irina Chistiakova.  Ms. Chistiakova was born in Moscow, Russia, and in 1996 was admitted into the piano program at the Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatoire for Music. A child prodigy, she began performing Chopin as a soloist at the conservatory’s Grand Hall. By the age of eleven, she had already played concert halls throughout Russia, Germany and France and had won awards as both a soloist and in a duet with her older sister Galina, also a talented pianist, including a Double Laureate in the Russian “New Names” Competition. In 2000 Irina was the star of  the Irene Langemann film “Russlands Wunderkinder” and was also featured in Langemann’s follow-up film “The Competitors: Russian Children Prodigy 2.” She won many prestigious awards and piano competitions, even a gold medal.  Irina graduated with honors from the Moscow State Conservatoire in 2013 and when she is not touring and recording, she is doing her postgraduate studies there and at the University of Arts in Berlin, Germany.  As a result of her musical brilliance, Enrique Bátiz invited her to become a regular guest soloist with the Orquesta Sinfónica del Estado de México.

Interested parties can purchase tickets by calling the Lehman Center box office at 718-960-8833 (Monday through Thursday, 10am–5pm), or through online access at www.LehmanCenter.org. Lehman Center is located at 250 Bedford Park Boulevard West in the Bronx, NY and is accessible by the #4 or D train to Bedford Park Blvd. and is off the Saw Mill River Parkway and the Major Deegan Expressway.  Parking is $5.

Theater Commmunity Comes Together to Celebrate Hadley Players Founder's 100th Birthday

By Deardra Shuler

The founder of the H.A.D.L.E.Y Players, Gertrude Jeannette, who was born November 28, 1914, celebrated her 100^th birthday at the Alhambra Ballroom in Harlem on Sunday, November 30^th where theater people, friends, press and community folks came out to honor Gertrude and remember her birthday.

A playwright, actress, director and producer in her own right, Gertrude has appeared on both stage and screen.   She appeared on radio and performed on Broadway in Tennessee Williams “Vieux Carre.”  Also in “The Skin of our Teeth,” “The Great White Hope,” “Lost in the Stars.” “Amen Corner,”  “Nobody Loves an Albatross “and “The Great White Hope,” et al. 

In film, Ms. Jeanette was memorable in “The Legend of Nigger Charlie,” “Black Girl,” and appeared in “Shaft,” “and “Cotton Comes to Harlem.”   She has lent her talents to both film shorts and documentaries.  A playwright in her own right, Gertrude wrote plays like:  A Bolt from the Blue, Light in the Cellar, Glady’s Dilemma, This Way Forward, and Who’s Mama’s Baby, Who’s Daddy’s Child?  She has also featured and directed the works of other playwrights.  

Born in Urbana, Arkansas, Gertrude made Harlem, NY, her home.  An innovator, in 1935 she became the first woman to get a license to operate a motor cycle and later became the first female cab driver in New York City.  Jeannette received the Harlem Business Recognition Award from the National Council of Negro Women.  She was honored as a Living Legend by the National Black Theater Festival in Winston Salem, NC .  She received the Outstanding Pioneer Award from AUDELCO in 1984.  She also received the AT&T and Black American Newspaper 1987 Personality of the Year Award.  She was inducted into the Hatch-Billops Oral History Collection by the Schomburg Center for Research and Black Culture.  As well as inducted into Philadelphia’s Bush­fire Theatre Walk of Fame.  The Giving Back Corporation endowed her with their 2004 Giving Back Award, and Gertrude was given the 2006 Professional Women’s Award from the Riverside Club/National Negro Business and Professional Women organization.  She received the Standing on Our Shoulders Award from the Delta Sigma Theta, Bronx Chapter, and the Lionel Hampton Legacy Award for her outstanding work in the Harlem community.   In 2002, Gertrude Jeannette received the prestigious Paul Robeson Award from Actor’s Equity.  She was also honored by Harlem Is…Living History, an educational project by Community Works.

Letters wishing Ms. Jeannette “Happy Birthday” came from Congressman Charles Rangel, Assemblyman Keith Wright, State Senator Bill Perkins and Councilwoman Inez Dickens.  The Master of Ceremony was producer Voza Rivers.  Ebony Jo-Ann sang “You Will Never Grow Old.”  The Classical Productions led by Patricia Hancock Rogers sang a medley of Gertrude’s favorite songs.  The invocation was done by actress, comedian and reverend Dorothy Fox.   

Among the guests were former HADLEY Players Artistic Director Ward Nixon, actors Albert Eggleston, Ralph McCain, photographer Ronnie Wright, Don Thomas (NY Beacon), Woodie King (New Federal Theater), Patricia White, Elizabeth Van Dyke, David Downing,  Hazel Smith,  Vinie Burrows,  organizer Margaret Jackson, Sirlouis Jones, Shirley Scott, Micki Grant, Mary B. Davis, Johnnie Mae, Joe B. Hunt,  Barbara Horowitz, Larry Thorp, June Terry, Janice Jenkins,  Louise Mike,  Dee Dixon, director Eric Coleman, Margery Johnson, Kimberly Monroe, playwrights Roger Parris and J.E. Franklin. 

 Many of the attendees have presented their plays and/or appeared in some of the Hadley Productions.  Others were supporters and long time friends.  People such as actress Joan Valentina, Cherryl Thomas, Ms. Bobbi Willis, Kim Weston-Moran, journalists Joan Allen, Peter Cooper and Michael J. Feeney, actress Johnnie Mae, Tommie Thompson, Kelly Marie Berry, costumer Kathy Roberson, Ed Lawrence, Debbie McIntire, Ajene Washington, Alice Garcia, Michelle Wilson (Ms Jeannette’s great niece), Alvin Alexis, Juanita Howard, Loretta Abbott, and Lillian Harrison came out to celebrate Gertrude’s 100^th birthday milestone.  

Ms. Jeannette appeared to have a lovely time and invited all her guests back to her 110^th birthday party to do it all over again.  God willing Gertrude, we’ll all be there.

“A Sharp Edge in the Dark” Sliced with a dull Razor

By Deardra Shuler

Murder is being committed and holding in suspense the audience of Creative Arts Unlimited, located at Varick Community Center (part of Mother AME Zion Church) at 151 West 136^th Street in Harlem.  “A Sharp Edge in the Dark,” written by John Ellerbree and directed by Charles E. Wise has all the elements that come with a murder mystery: deceit, greed, malice, schemes, false friends, suspects, and a knife wielding killer.

The play begins with Lil Phillips beautifully singing “Friends Are Forever,” in such sultry tones, I was sure her song was the precursor to a stimulating play and murder mystery.  The action centered around Juliette Novack (Vanessa Michelle Charles), the rich widow of millionaire Frank Novack, who was murdered mysteriously a year or so previously, leaving behind his widow, daughter and Juliette’s step daughter, Tiffany (Atika Greene), his secretary and Juliette’s best friend, Della LaRue (performed by Florence Mills). They were also mentioned in his will along with landlady and partner, Mrs. Gerber played by Gloria McNeal and a chauffeur named Tony Andrews (Hayze Barfield). All but Juliette were dissatisfied with their inheritance.  Anger, jealousy and greed ensue when the daughter and chauffeur are left with nothing and Juliette is given the bulk of the estate.

With so much potential, unfortunately the play veers off into a tangle of characters too many to keep up with – there is the disgruntled Peter Simmons (Samuel Roberts) whose threats against Tiffany and Juliette make him a prime suspect.  There is Glynnis, the lounge owner, acted by Jo-Hanna Daughtrey and the Police Commissioner Joshua Logan (James Ealy) who is courting Juliette.  Other cast members are Omar Cooke, Anthony Lucas, Kevin Lamar Brown and Allen Craig Harris who plays the dual role of a doctor and lawyer; all are tossed together in a gumbo of unnecessary scenes, lengthy production pauses and amateurish stiff and lifeless acting.  However, I must add that Samuel Roberts as the angry suspect and Florence Mills as the scheming friend stand out as effective and interesting characters.  Unfortunately, several of the actors spoke too low and stumbled over their lines. The inability of several of the actors to project caused the audience to miss dialogue that led to essential clues. 

The direction of Mr. Wise was scattered. He did not weave the play together in a congruent fashion to best highlight the suspense or mystery.  He missed many of the fine points that the audience picked up immediately. He or an administrator didn’t list on the playbill the character’s names in association with the actors; or note the reading of the will being read over a year after the death of Juliette’s husband, nor camouflaged set props to enable the audience to distinguish between the homes of the varied characters.  Why was Tiffany ringing the doorbell to her own home? Five minutes or more passed between scenes while the actors made unnecessary wardrobe changes; the pointless setting up of a mike in a nightclub scene gave an actor credit for singing “Friends Are Forever,” when he did not use the mike or even sing the song.  At one point, while the audience awaited another lengthy scene change, the stage manager walked in front of the audience to instruct those removing props.   It was also disconcerting to see the actors repeatedly drinking out of empty glasses pretending to pour liquor out of unopened bottles.  I refrain on pointing out other inconsistencies since it involves the plot.

There were numerous threats against various characters and against Juliette and Tiffany in particular.  The initial murder at the play’s beginning was unexplained or as I later found out was explained, but the actors spoke so low (even though I was in the front row), neither I nor the audience heard why the murder took place.  Since dialogue is essential in leading the audience to its conclusion, actors who do not project or seem unanimated provide the audience with no other recourse but to leave unsatisfied and perplexed.

Having said all of this, I think I was invited prematurely to review the play. The show did not start on time therefore the time factor necessary to the play was thwarted.  Due to starting late, the play ran into the time slot of another booking and thereby the play was concluded without showing its ending. Thusly, the confused audience never got a resolve since the production ended abruptly with no announcement explaining to the audience they didn’t see the true ending.  Thereby, the audience never found out who the murderers were or why they murdered.  The actors’ I’m told never had a dress rehearsal and was doing the play in its entirety for the first time.  I think had the director done a few rehearsals of the play prior to showcasing it, he may have caught some of the discrepancies and been aware of the time needed to run it in advance of premiering it. 

The numerous mistakes made it hard to give this play a fair review.  I do think “A Sharp Edge in the Dark” has possibility.  I can only suggest that the director view a few murder mysteries so he has a better understanding of how to weave the play.  I do not put the entire blame on the director however since I do think all concerned played a role in the murdering of this play.  I suggest the writer and the director return to the drawing board with all concerned taking heed of my critique.  Hopefully they will make corrections before their next performance on Saturday, November 15^th at 2:00pm wherein at such time they resurrect the play giving it the life it deserves.