Not quite sure where to put this, so here is my best guess!
Recently I saw Anthony Giunta's amazing play Skin in the Game.
First off, let me say that there is a BETM connection. Anthony is a big fan of the show. And he is also a good friend of Thommie Retter... I recently met Anthony at the Big Maine event where he wrote and directed three scripts for that event... See my review http://www.billyelliottheforum.me.uk/fo ... f=5&t=4892.
Second off, if you EVER hear that this play is happening near you, you must go see it! I was blown away by the story and all the performances! Anthony had told me just enough about the story back in Maine so that I was completely intrigued and decided I had to see it. The play has been appearing as part of fringe festivals, first in Pittsburgh, then NYC, and just now Philly.
The story begins when three seniors at a private Catholic School get a mysterious invitation to a competition where the winner will walk away with an all expense paid education at a college of their choosing. Since all three are scholarship students at their current school, the invitation presents a chance of a lifetime. It involves foreign travel to a remote island off of Ireland (Lough Derg, known for its pilgrimages), and the benefactor is himself a graduate of the same private school the three are currently attending. After some misgivings, all three decide to take on the challenge... Well, at first one backs out, only to learn that the competition is off if any one backs out, so they convince each other to go. Upon arriving at their destination, they quickly learn that there is more behind their selection than their financial need. And they find there is a younger student (freshman?) already on the island who is going to help the benefactor evaluate the results of the competition... And then they learn that one of them will not return home. At this point they start to panic, but they really have nowhere to go - they have given up their cell phones and other connections to the outside world. Slowly but surely they and we the audience learn more about why they were selected, what they share in common, including their relation to the younger student. What unfolds is an incredible story, moving, heart breaking at times, riveting, intriguing from start to finish. I spent the show completely engaged. At the end, I was blown away. It was a beautiful story about self discovery, community, friendship, and so much more. Wow, wow, wow! The performers were all extraordinary. What a gem of a play and worth every penny of a day trip to Philly!
There was no scenery, so all the focus was on the actors, who had us convinced they were in a classroom in Philly, on a private plane, on a small boat, and in various locations on the island. And then we traveled with them to several other locations via flashbacks. All this speaks to me to the extraordinary talents of these young up and coming actors! Chris Robertson played the lead, one of the students, He was surrounded by Andrew Gelles and Joshua Brelsford as the other two students, Evan Leone as the benefactor, Drew Wells as the younger student and Tom Schmitt as another character encountered in the flashbacks. All of them are extraordinarily talented and really got the play and were able to act from the heart. I am sure we will be hearing more from them in the years to come!
Finally, huge praise for Anthony Giunta who on top of his amazing writing and directing talents, is also a super nice guy.
If you EVER get the chance to see this show, go - you will NOT regret it. I find myself going back to its themes again and again.
Skin in the Game
- ERinVA
- Site Admin
- Posts: 17968
- Joined: Thu Mar 19, 2009 1:33 am
- Location: Williamsburg, Virginia, USA
Re: Skin in the Game
Thanks for your review, Maria. This play definitely sounds like something worth a day trip to Philly.
I hope it finds its way to a broader audience.
I hope it finds its way to a broader audience.
Ellen
"I don't want people who want to dance; I want people who have to dance.”
-George Balanchine 1904 -1983
To follow the forum's Twitter at http://twitter.com/BEForum, click on the direct link in Applies to All Forums above.
"I don't want people who want to dance; I want people who have to dance.”
-George Balanchine 1904 -1983
To follow the forum's Twitter at http://twitter.com/BEForum, click on the direct link in Applies to All Forums above.
- angelenroute
- Billy
- Posts: 3831
- Joined: Thu Mar 19, 2009 1:05 am
- Location: Malverne (Long Island), NY
Re: Skin in the Game
Post by angelenroute »
I saw this play in New York, and I completely agree with your assessment and review, Maria! I spoke with Anthony Giunta afterward, and reminded him how much critique I like to give, especially if a project is still being fine-tuned. I then told him the play was absolutely perfect as-is, that he need not change a thing! Maria has written up a beautiful review and show description, so I won't repeat what she said, but I promise you all, this play deserves all the praise we can heap on it. It's an absolutely fantastic production, and all involved should be very, very proud of their work in it!
I met Anthony through Billy Elliot as well, and he and I have worked together on a couple of projects since. He's a wonderful guy, and so incredibly talented. He's also the writer and director of the movie Contest, which premiered on Cartoon Network this past year to wide acclaim. It starred, among many other great young performers, a few Billy Elliot stars: Joseph Harrington (Broadway: Billy), Jake Schwencke (Broadway: Michael), and Landon Harris (Tour: Tall Boy).
Can't wait to see where else Skin In The Game ends up next...hopefully back in NY for an extended run too!
Sean
I met Anthony through Billy Elliot as well, and he and I have worked together on a couple of projects since. He's a wonderful guy, and so incredibly talented. He's also the writer and director of the movie Contest, which premiered on Cartoon Network this past year to wide acclaim. It starred, among many other great young performers, a few Billy Elliot stars: Joseph Harrington (Broadway: Billy), Jake Schwencke (Broadway: Michael), and Landon Harris (Tour: Tall Boy).
Can't wait to see where else Skin In The Game ends up next...hopefully back in NY for an extended run too!
Sean
"Good writers define reality; bad ones merely restate it." -Edward Albee
Return to “All Other Regional Productions”
Jump to
- Applies to all Forums
- ↳ Rules & Announcements
- ↳ New Members
- ↳ Multimedia & Gallery
- ↳ "Billy" Around the World
- ↳ Where will "BETM" play next ?
- ↳ Topics on Show: Changes/Crews (lighting, sound)/Differences etc
- ↳ Information/Questions about BETM
- ↳ General Chat
- ↳ The Forum - Suggestions, Tweaks or Problems
- ↳ Polls
- ↳ Games
- ↳ Blogs and Trip Blogs
- ↳ Archive
- ↳ Reviews Archive
- ↳ Non-BETM Archive
- ↳ Korea Archive
- ↳ Special Show Nights - Korea
- ↳ Chicago Archive
- ↳ Special Show Nights - Chicago
- ↳ Publicity - Chicago
- ↳ Cast Leavers & Arrivals - Chicago
- ↳ Discuss all other Shows - Chicago
- ↳ Toronto Archive
- ↳ Ticketing & Theatre information - Toronto
- ↳ Publicity - Toronto
- ↳ Cast Leavers and Arrivals - Toronto
- ↳ Broadway Archive
- ↳ Ticketing & Theatre information - Broadway
- ↳ Cast Leavers & Arrivals - Broadway
- ↳ Publicity - Broadway
- ↳ Special Show Nights - Broadway
- ↳ International Tour Archive
- ↳ Special Show Nights - US/CA Tour Archive
- ↳ Publicity - US/CA Tour Archive
- ↳ London Archive
- ↳ US Regional Productions Archive
- ↳ Netherlands Archive
- Billy Elliot - London (West End)
- ↳ Chat about Billy Elliot the Musical - London
- ↳ Original Creative Team - London
- ↳ Ticketing, Theatre, and Visitor information - London
- ↳ Publicity - London
- ↳ Special Shows - London
- ↳ Cast - London
- ↳ Cast Leavers & Arrivers - London
- ↳ Reviews - London
- ↳ Discuss all other Shows - UK
- Billy Elliot - New York (Broadway)
- ↳ Chat about Billy Elliot the Musical - Broadway
- ↳ Special Shows - Broadway
- ↳ Cast - Broadway
- ↳ Reviews - Broadway
- ↳ Discuss all other Shows - New York
- Billy Elliot - Chicago/Toronto Production
- ↳ Chat about Billy Elliot the Musical - Chicago
- ↳ Cast - Chicago
- ↳ Reviews - Chicago
- ↳ Chat About Billy Elliot the Musical - Toronto
- ↳ Cast - Toronto
- ↳ Reviews - Toronto
- Billy Elliot - Touring Productions
- ↳ Billy Elliot UK/Ireland Tour
- ↳ Cast - UK/Ireland Tour
- ↳ Reviews - Billy Elliot UK/Ireland Tour
- ↳ Former Cast - UK/Ireland Tour
- ↳ Billy Elliot the Musical - N. Amer./Int'l Tour
- ↳ Cast - N. American/International Tour
- ↳ Reviews - N. American/International Tour
- ↳ Discuss Other Touring Shows - US/International
- Billy Elliot - Asia & The Mideast
- ↳ Chat about Billy Elliot the Musical - Korea
- ↳ Cast - Korea Original Production (2010/11)
- ↳ Cast - Korea Second Production (2017/18)
- ↳ Cast - Korea Third Production (2021)
- ↳ Reviews - (All Korean Productions)
- ↳ Chat About Billy Elliot the Musical - Japan (2017 Production)
- ↳ Cast - Japan (2017 Production)
- ↳ Reviews - Japan (2017 Production)
- ↳ Chat About Billy Elliot the Musical - Japan (2020 Production)
- ↳ Cast - Japan (2020 Production)
- ↳ Reviews - Japan (2020 Production)
- ↳ Chat about Billy Elliot The Musical - Japan (2024 Production)
- ↳ Cast - Japan (2024)
- ↳ Reviews - Japan (2024)
- ↳ Israel
- ↳ Chat About Tel Aviv, Israel
- ↳ Cast - Tel Aviv
- ↳ Reviews - Tel Aviv
- Billy Elliot - Central & South America
- ↳ Peru
- ↳ Cast - Lima
- ↳ Reviews - Lima
- ↳ Panama
- ↳ Cast - Panama City
- ↳ Reviews - Panama City
- ↳ Mexico
- ↳ Cast - Mexico City
- ↳ Reviews - Mexico City
- ↳ Brazil
- ↳ Cast - Sao Paulo
- ↳ Reviews - Sao Paulo
- ↳ Chile
- ↳ Cast- Santiago
- ↳ Reviews - Santiago
- Billy Elliot - Europe
- ↳ Chat About Productions - Europe
- ↳ Czech Republic
- ↳ Chat About The Czech Republic
- ↳ Cast - Czech Republic
- ↳ Reviews - Czech Republic
- ↳ Denmark
- ↳ Chat About Billy Elliot - Denmark
- ↳ Cast - Denmark
- ↳ Reviews - Denmark
- ↳ Estonia
- ↳ Chat About Billy Elliot - Estonia
- ↳ Cast - Estonia
- ↳ Reviews - Estonia
- ↳ Finland
- ↳ Chat About Billy Elliot - Finland
- ↳ Cast - Vaasa City
- ↳ Cast - Tampere
- ↳ Cast - Oulu
- ↳ Reviews - Finland
- ↳ Greece
- ↳ Chat About BETM - Greece
- ↳ Cast - Greece
- ↳ Reviews - Greece
- ↳ Hungary
- ↳ Chat About Budapest, Hungary, July 28-August 21,2016
- ↳ Cast - Hungary
- ↳ Reviews - Hungary
- ↳ Iceland
- ↳ Chat About Billy Elliot - Iceland
- ↳ Cast - Iceland
- ↳ Reviews - Iceland
- ↳ Italy
- ↳ Chat About Billy Elliot - Italy
- ↳ Cast - Italy
- ↳ Reviews - Italy
- ↳ 2023 Italian Tour Cast
- ↳ 2024 Italian Tour
- ↳ Norway
- ↳ Chat About Billy Elliot - Norway (2018 Production)
- ↳ Chat About BETM - Norway (2014/15 Production)
- ↳ Cast - Norway (2014/15 Production)
- ↳ Reviews - Norway (2014/15 Production)
- ↳ Chat About BETM - Norway (2021/22 Productions)
- ↳ Cast - Lillestrøm Norway (2021/22 Production)
- ↳ Reviews - Lillestrøm Norway (2021/22 Production)
- ↳ Cast - Hønefoss Norway (2021 Production)
- ↳ Chat About BETM - Norway (2022 Productions)
- ↳ Cast - Norway (Sandvika)
- ↳ Chat ABout Billy Elliot - Bergen, Norway (2024 Production)
- ↳ Poland
- ↳ Chat Abourt Teatre Rozrywki, Chorzow, Poland
- ↳ Spain
- ↳ Cast - Madrid
- ↳ Reviews - Madrid
- ↳ Cast - Mataro
- ↳ Reviews - Mataro
- ↳ Cast - Barcelona
- ↳ Reviews - Barcelona
- ↳ Sweden
- ↳ Chat About Malmö & Stockholm, Sweden
- ↳ Cast - Malmö
- ↳ Reviews - Malmö
- ↳ Cast - Stockholm
- ↳ Reviews - Stockholm
- ↳ Chat About Säffle, Sweden
- ↳ Cast - Säffle
- ↳ Reviews - Säffle
- ↳ Other UK (non tour)
- ↳ Curve Leicester
- ↳ Cast - Curve Leicester
- ↳ Reviews - Curve Leicester
- ↳ Past Casts - Europe
- ↳ Cast - Netherlands
- ↳ Cast - Helsinki
- ↳ Switzerland
- ↳ Chat About BETM - Switzerland
- Billy Elliot - North American Regional Productions
- ↳ General Chat About Billy Elliot - North American Regional Productions
- ↳ Tracking All North American Regional Productions
- ↳ Production Index (Master List)
- ↳ 2024 Regional & Community Theatre Productions
- ↳ 2023 Regional & Community Theatre Productions
- ↳ Neptune Theatre - April 25 to June 18, 2023
- ↳ Chat About BETM - Neptune Theatre
- ↳ Cast - Neptune Theatre
- ↳ 2022 Regional & Community Theatre Productions
- ↳ 2021 Regional & Community Theatre Productions
- ↳ Music Theater Works (Chicago, IL) Dec. 23, 2021-Jan. 2, 2022
- ↳ Chat About Music Theater Works
- ↳ Cast - Music Theater Works
- ↳ Reviews - Music Theater Works
- ↳ Center Of Creative Arts (COCA) (St. Louis, MO) July 29-August 1, 2021
- ↳ Cast - COCA
- ↳ Reviews - COCA
- ↳ Rhinebeck Theatre Society (Rhinebeck, NY) June 25-July 18, 2021
- ↳ Cast - Rhinebeck Theatre Society
- ↳ Reviews - Rhinebeck Theatre Society
- ↳ Candlelight Pavilion Dinner Theater - Nov 5-27, 2021
- ↳ Cast - Candlelight Pavilion Dinner Theater
- ↳ 2020 Regional & Community Theatre Productions
- ↳ Capital City Productions (Jefferson City, MO) Aug 13-22, 2020
- ↳ Chat About Capital City Productions
- ↳ Cast - Capital City Productions
- ↳ Reviews - Capital City Productions
- ↳ 2019 Regional & Community Theatre Productions
- ↳ 2019 Regional Reviews
- ↳ Reviews - Portsmouth
- ↳ Reviews - Kansas City
- ↳ Reviews - Calgary
- ↳ Reviews - Stratford Festival
- ↳ Reviews - Winter Garden
- ↳ Reviews - Wilmington
- ↳ Reviews - Newburyport, MA
- ↳ Reviews - Goodspeed Opera House
- ↳ Reviews - Talent, OR
- ↳ 2019 Regional Casts
- ↳ Cast - Carmel
- ↳ Cast - Portsmouth
- ↳ Cast - Kansas City
- ↳ Cast - Theatre Calgary
- ↳ Cast - Stratford Festival
- ↳ Cast - Winter Garden
- ↳ Cast - Wilmington
- ↳ Cast - Newburyport, MA
- ↳ Cast - Goodspeed Opera House
- ↳ Cast - Talent, OR
- ↳ 2018 Regional & Community Theatre Productions
- ↳ 2018 Regional Reviews
- ↳ 2018 Regional Casts
- ↳ Cast - Des Moines
- ↳ Cast - Allentown
- ↳ Cast - Waukesha
- ↳ Cast - Arlington
- ↳ 2017 Regional & Community Theatre Productions
- ↳ Wheelock Family Theatre, Boston, MA 01/27/2017 to 02/26/2017
- ↳ Cast - Wheelock
- ↳ Reviews - Wheelock
- ↳ Vintage Theatre Aurora CO February 3 – March 19, 2017
- ↳ Cast - Vintage Theatre
- ↳ Reviews - Vintage Theatre
- ↳ Berkeley Playhouse, Berkeley, CA 2/16 - 3/25/2017
- ↳ Cast - Berkeley Playhouse
- ↳ Reviews - Berkeley Playhouse
- ↳ Theatre Cedar Rapids, Cedar Rapids, IA - June 30-July 16, 2017
- ↳ Cast - Cedar Rapids
- ↳ Reviews - Cedar Rapids
- ↳ Historic Palace Theatre, Lockport, NY - Jul 13-23, 2017
- ↳ Cast - Lockport
- ↳ Reviews - Lockport
- ↳ Duluth Playhouse, Duluth, MN - Jul 13-30, 2017
- ↳ Cast - Duluth
- ↳ Reviews - Duluth
- ↳ Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center, CA 07/22-08/27/2017
- ↳ Cast - Simi Valley
- ↳ Reviews - Simi Valley
- ↳ Cape Cod Repertory Theatre 08/02/2017 to 08/26/2017
- ↳ Cast - Cape Cod
- ↳ Reviews - Cape Cod
- ↳ YES THEATRE - Sudbury, ONT Canada - 8/4-20/2017
- ↳ Cast - Sudbury
- ↳ Reviews - Sudbury
- ↳ Portland (Or) Newmark Theatre 9/16 - 10/1 2017
- ↳ Cast - Portland, OR
- ↳ Reviews - Portland, OR
- ↳ San Diego Music Theatre 9/22-10/8/2017
- ↳ Cast - San Diego
- ↳ Reviews - San Diego
- ↳ Porchlight Music Theatre - Oct. 6-Nov.19, 2017
- ↳ Cast - Porchlight
- ↳ Reviews - Porchlight
- ↳ Contra Costa Musical Theatre, Walnut Creek, CA - 10/13-11/11/17
- ↳ Cast - Contra Costa
- ↳ Reviews - Contra Costa
- ↳ Road Company, Williamstown. NJ, 10/19 - 11/4 2017
- ↳ Cast - Road Company
- ↳ Reviews - Road Company
- ↳ 2016 Regional & Community Theatre Productions
- ↳ Bob Presents, Inc - Indianapolis, 6/24 to 7/10/16
- ↳ Cast - Indianapolis
- ↳ Reviews - Indianapolis
- ↳ Beck Center for Cultural Arts, Lakewood, OH, 07/08-08/14/16
- ↳ Cast - Beck Center
- ↳ Reviews - Beck Center
- ↳ Landmark Community Theatre, Thomaston, CT, 7/9-7/24/16
- ↳ Cast - Landmark
- ↳ Reviews - Landmark
- ↳ Fairfield Performing Arts Ctr Fairfield OH 7/21/ to 7/24/16
- ↳ Cast - Fairfield
- ↳ Reviews - Fairfield
- ↳ The Firehouse Theatre, Dallas, TX, 7/28-8/14/16
- ↳ Cast - Firehouse Theatre
- ↳ Reviews - Firehouse Theatre
- ↳ Fulton Theatre, Lancaster, PA, Sept. 20-Oct. 16 2016
- ↳ Cast - Fulton Theatre
- ↳ Reviews - Fulton Theatre
- ↳ Ocean State Theatre, Warwick, RI 09/28/2016 to 10/23/2016
- ↳ Cast - Ocean State Theatre
- ↳ Reviews - Ocean State Theatre
- ↳ DIAMOND HEAD THEATRE, HONOLULU, 9/23 - 10/16/2016
- ↳ Cast - Honolulu
- ↳ Reviews - Honolulu
- ↳ AXELROD PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 11/6/2016 to 11/20/2016
- ↳ Cast - Axelrod PAC, NJ
- ↳ Reviews - Axelrod PAC, NJ
- ↳ Venice Theatre, Venice Fl. 11/8 - 12/4 2016
- ↳ Cast - Venice Theatre
- ↳ Reviews - Venice Theatre
- ↳ Phoenix Theatre, Phoenix, AZ 11/16/2016 to 12/24/2016
- ↳ Cast - Phoenix
- ↳ Reviews - Phoenix
- ↳ Cast Members - Past Regional Productions
- ↳ All Other Regional Productions
- Billy Elliot - Oceania (Australia & New Zealand)
- ↳ Chat about Billy Elliot the Musical - Sydney & Melbourne (Australia)
- ↳ Cast - Sydney & Melbourne (Australia)
- ↳ Reviews - Sydney & Melbourne (Australia)
- ↳ Billy Elliot 2019/20 Australia Tour
- ↳ Cast - 2019/20 Tour
- ↳ Reviews - 2019/20 Tour
- ↳ Discuss all other Shows - Australia
- ↳ Chat About New Zealand
- ↳ Cast - New Zealand
- ↳ Reviews - New Zealand
- ↳ Chat About BETM - Newcastle, Australia (2023)
- ↳ Cast - Newcastle Australia
- ↳ Chat About BETM - 2023 Gold Coast Australia
- ↳ Cast - 2023 Gold Coast Australia
- ↳ Chat about BETM - Melbourne, Australia (2024 Production)
- ↳ Chat About BETM - Canberra Australia (2024 Production)
- ↳ Cast - 2024 Canberra Production
- UK & US School Productions
- ↳ Chat About UK School Productions
- ↳ Chat About US School Productions