Theater Talk- PONIES

[Broadway Matt]

Posted: 11/6/04 at 12:32am

I'm posting this here because I'm sure no one on the main board cares. If you're watching THEATER TALK tonight, they have Michael and Victoria Imperioli talking about the play they're producing at Studio Dante, a new work called PONIES. Michael of course plays Christopher on the SOPRANOS, and is a co-founder of the small theatre/ art studio that his wife mainly uses to show her various works as an architect and designer.

Anyway, I happened to see PONIES last night and wanted to recommend it highly to anyone who likes amazing actors doing amazing things in a small space.

I didn't post a review last night because I rushed off immediately afterward to the IMMIGRANT opening party at work and hadn't let the play sink in yet. But it's been on my mind all day and I just want to emphasize what an enjoyable, emotionally taxing, and thought-provoking play it is. I think a lot of you would really enjoy it and should try and find a way to catch one of the best overall casts I've seen in years.

The 4-character play centers around 3 foreigners in a seedy off-track betting place in lower Manhattan. There is a loud, slick Croatian con-man, played by John Ventimiglia (ARTIE BUCO on the SOPRANOS), his paranoid Nigerian pal, and a Venezuelan refugee who insists that his name is Wallace Montgomery trying desperately to blend in (normally Otto Sanchez, but Michael Imperioli actually is covering the role thru Nov. 6. Otto finishes the run). Through the barely hour and a half play, we basically see the interactions, pressures, and internal drama that unravels among these newcomers to the country and the ramifications of doing what must be done to get by in post-9/11 America as an obvious outsider.

John's character really drives the entire show and the man I'm so used to seeing as the soft-shelled Artie Buco completely transforms himself into this despicable, hateful, hilarious anti-hero who somehow makes you care about him even while he is antagonizing the other 2 immigrants, badgering the OTB cashier about her weight, or ranting about why his favorite horse is the one named "Dates More Minors". I don't want to give anything away but I can say that the show is a must-see for any SOPRANOS fan and a should-see for anyone who wants to see some great actors try out a pretty damned good new script. It also helps if you don't get offended easily. Check out THEATER TALK, this interview has some good info, or check out the show's website. Tix are on Ticket Central for $35, show closes November 20.


PONIES at Studio Dante

Updated On: 11/6/04 at 12:32 AM