[News Boquete] Reviews Are IN for BCP'S "THE GREAT BEYOND"

It constantly amazes me that in our small community of Boquete we have a grand array of outstandingly talented folks throughout the performing arts and beyond. And speaking of beyond, "The Great Beyond" - the new BCP play opening tonight at TapOut - is a prime example. I was lucky enough to be invited to the dress rehearsal, and was simply awestruck by the quality of the performances I witnessed on stage. It is a wonderful little play about love, loss, hope and redemption, and the actors - some of them their first time on stage - brought such pathos and humor and truth to their characters that I was hit hard emotionally. And isn't that the purpose of art anyway? 

Technically, especially for us older folks, memorization is tough. I know the amount of work involved to fluently deliver lines and they had a LOT of lines to learn, but they not only learned them but made them seem totally natural. (And to some of the cast, English is not their native language). I won't single out any of the actors, because all of them were wonderful together as an ensemble. Call me impressed! My guess is, you will be impressed too. A very enjoyable afternoon in the theater! Thank you, Gabrielle Reynolds, and BCP.                                                               ~  Michael Halpern

 

"The Great Beyond" is a compelling look at grief, regrets, and the troublesome emotional tangle that family can be. Guelda Paniza stands out in her debut performance as Monica, the emotionally raw matriarch of her family after her father's death. Surrounded by her empathic ex-husband Rex, bull-headed sister Emily, and Emily's new partner, the supernatural Rene, they explore the nature of forgiveness and what any of us would do for family. "The Great Beyond" is touching, funny, and emotional. From Emily's (Kat Reeser) "apology tour" to Rene and Rex (Maya González and Greg Ginther) trying desperately to reforge a relationship between the sisters, and Neal Klein as Coach Mayes, bringing a little catharsis to a home that is in great need of it, "The Great Beyond" aims for your heart, and doesn't miss.                                                                                    ~  Mitchell Brown

 

Every family faces challenges when there is loss, divorce, and distance between family members. In The Great Beyond, sisters Monica (Guelda Paniza), and Emily (Kathy Reeser), face the recent loss of their father, 'the Captain'. Tensions mount between the sisters because Monica was caring for Dad while Emily was away. Monica's ex-husband, Rex, (Greg Ginther) does his best to calm the waters between the sisters. Emily returns home from an 'apology tour', making amends for past transgressions, now accompanied by Rene (Maya Gonzalez) who claims to be able to communicate with family members who have passed.

There is drama and laughter as the sisters argue about guilt, responsibility, and whether they should even have a seance. The Great Beyond explores issues all families face with drama and sadness, interspersed with humor and laughter.                                                            ~  Mike Schwartz

 

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