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Index
(and links to less active productions at bottom of the index
page)
The Belle of Amherst
The
most celebrated of all one-woman plays, The Belle of Amherst
brings to life Playing
time is about 80 minutes, performed without intermission.
Melanie Lipton as Emily
Dickinson
Melanie Lipton
as Emily Dickinson in her study in Massachusetts. Greeting the
audience
David Houston
Saturday, March 29, 2008, 3:30 p.m., California University,
Pittsburgh
past performances
WILLIAM
LUCE—Playwright ,
is an MELANIE
LIPTON—Emily,
is equally at home in drama, comedies and musicals. Her
starring roles include Lilli in Kiss Me Kate, Tracy in High
Society, Mary in Cyrano Dot Com (a world premiere), Maggie
in The Man Who Came to Dinner, Johanna in Sondheim's Sweeney
Todd, Alexandra in The Little Foxes, Maria in The Sound
of Music, Jenny in Threepenny Opera, and Lois Lane in a
rare revival of the musical It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s
Superman. An educator with a background in music, voice, and
theatre, Melanie spent two seasons as teacher and choreographer at
Stagedoor Manor Performing Arts Center. Melanie
also stars as Joan Crawford in DAVID
HOUSTON—Director,
is a published and produced writer (14 books, 3 screenplays, 6 stage
plays), fiction and non-fiction. His Joan Crawford biography Jazz
Baby (
Luise van Keuren, Associate Professor of English, California
University of Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh: "The Belle of
Amherst exceeded our expectations, high quality in every respect,
and the company had the production protocol down pat. We only had to
open the door! Our audience was literary and academic, so we savored
this portrait of a poet we know well. The company was thoroughly
prepared and organized, not to mention gracious. It's been a pleasure
to work with all of you." Penelope Wright, Director of Adult Programs, Rogers Memorial Library,
Southampton: "I'm not sure I've ever been witness to a more
moving performance by an actress than that of Melanie Lipton in The
Belle of Amherst; she took a pitch-perfect script and gave it
wings to soar to the heavens. For this, Ms. Lipton shares the credit
with the director, David Houston, a true hero for Long Islanders in
search of absolutelhy first-rate small-scale theatrical
productions." Linda Reiss, Dominican Sisters of Hope, Newburgh, New York:
"We were mesmerized by Melanie's performance. There was an
abundance of accolades from all." Kenneth P. Neilson, Director, All Seasons Art, in his review for
The Culvert Chronicles: "This time I'll carry the memory of
the superb performance by Melanie Lipton in the famous one-woman play
by William Luce, The Belle of Amherst. This excellent new
staging was produced and directed by David Houston; [it was] the
Queens Central Library's way of beginning National Poetry Month." Esther Lee, Manager, Fine Arts and Recreation, Queens Borough Public
Library: "Melanie Lipton's performance was 'just wonderful.'
The audience was very appreciative of her splendid portrayal of the
life and poetry of Emily Dickinson."
Jessica Ley, Program
Coordinator, Port Washington Public
Library: “Melanie Lipton’s Belle was simply beautiful. I laughed and I cried;
I’ve never seen the play better performed – and that includes the
original with Julie Harris! Our audience brought Melanie back for
three curtain calls!”
Jericho Library,
Phyllis Cox:
“Melanie Lipton was incredible as Emily Dickinson. The production was
superb. The audience thanked me as they left.” Susan
Lenaghan, Adult Program, Syosset Public
Library, : “Melanie played an excellent Emily. The
audience enjoyed her performance immensely. One audience member was
moved to tears.” Nadine
Connors, Cultural Program Specialist, Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library:
"This was a very hard piece to do, and Melanie did a very good
job." Marcia Johnson, Program Director, North Shore Public
Library:
"Melanie Lipton does a
splendid job of bringing Emily Dickinson to life. The script deftly
weaves monologue with Miss Dickinson’s poetry, and the actress’s skill
made the distinctions clear." Debbie Starker, in Deb's
Web Internet Newsletter: Melanie Lipton capably handles the expert
acting and timing a part like this requires. I'm told that there will
be future bookings of this production and I suggest you see what a
clever director, a gifted actress, a few perfect set pieces and props,
and a good script can do to change a bare stage into an intimate
portrait of one of our great literary icons. See also references and comments for Jazz Baby Joan, Great Scott and Zelda, Let's Do It!, Murder and Madness and Poe, and other productions. |
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