On Stage: A reading of Models of Perfection, 5/13/19

To paraphrase Billy Joel, it was a pretty good crowd for a rainy Monday night.

Superior Merchandise Company hosted the 2nd Dark Day Monday production of the Troy Foundry Theatre. This time, it was a reading of Katie Pedro's Models of Perfection. The Dark Day Monday series mostly has readings of plays, and one of last year's readings has led to a world premiere production which will open in two weeks, "100 Years", by Richard Dresser.

Digression over. The evening began with actor-singer-songwriter Jacob Morgan Fisch, one of the three cast members in the program, playing a three song acoustic set. I've a feeling we'll be hearing more from him both as an actor and as a musician in the months to come.

The reading of Models followed, after introductions were made by TFT creative director David Girard. The pacing was swifter than you'd think, as Fisch and castmates Heather Frederick & James Carola went through the play. There are some layers to Models. "Sister" (Frederick) seems to be off in her own world, while "Brother" (Fisch) is trying to make sense of where she is. Carola carries off the dual roles of a pastor and the personification of the economy with ease, but both roles are more cameos than featured. To be honest, I'd be interested in seeing this developed into a world premiere production next year, except for the fact that there will be a workshop in New York later this year on the production.

Heather Frederick, having just finished her sophomore season at Siena, has already developed quite the theatrical resume, including a couple of Shakespeare adaptations. While you might be led to believe "Sister" isn't exactly in touch with reality, Heather happens to be quite adorable. Maybe it's the retro-pig tails that have something to do with that.

As noted, TFT returns in two weeks with "100 Years" for a 2 weekend engagement.