by Lisa Ann Williamson/Staten Island AWE
Thursday March 26, 2009

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- It is amazing, the level of creativity inspired by a boat trip.

After seven years, Sundog Theatre continues to present well-done, thought-provoking one acts with its "Scenes from the Staten Island Ferry." This year's six featured works are remarkably timely, portraying characters dealing with economic crises, questioning motives and life choices, overcoming stereotypes, entry (and re-entry) into the job market and, of course, navigating relationships.

"Scenes 2009" opens with "In the Same Boat" by Graniteville's Fay Corinotis. It's an insightful look at three women of various ages and life stations, sitting next to each other and chatting with friends and loved ones on their cell phones on the way to work. The actresses turn in wonderfully real performances as a woman starting her first job (Lissa Bak), another returning after maternity leave (Meredith Sladek) and a third going back to work after an 18-month layoff (Diane Fisher Flores).

Meredith Sladek, Diane Fisher Flores and Lissa Bak in a scene
from "In the Same Boat".

Elayne Heilveil's "Eye of the Beholder" features the brilliantly funny Casey Trascik as a recent divorcee, well-versed in psycho-babble, who confronts her need for companionship with a stranger (Roland Uruci, the perfect straight man) she meets on the ferry.

Another standout: James Cunningham delivers a fun turn as an innocent bystander punished by offering to do a good deed for a couple celebrating their fourth anniversary in "Take Our Picture."

Sundog's move this year to allow actors and directors a bit more time to let characters sink in proved an excellent decision. While the small stage limits the action, all of the actors (a combination of "Scenes" veterans and plenty of new faces) do a nice job of making it all look natural.

A Sunday afternoon audience of more than 70 people enjoyed the 90 minutes of original words, head-bobbing incidental music and even a few shots to the Island (hey, it's all in good fun).
photos by Joani Velazquez

Eric Petillo, Rina Sklar

Casey Trascik, Roland Uruci

Natalia Alfonso, Vincent Bivona