Review Fix Exclusive Midtown International Theatre Festival Coverage: Beth Newbery Talks ‘Ellen and Troy and Eloise’

Review Fix chats with actress Beth Newbery, who discusses her role in the new production “Ellen and Troy and Eloise,” which is set for a run at this year’s Midtown International Theatre Festival.

ELLEN AND TROY AND ELOISE by Warren Glover; starring Lily Marceau, Joshua Rugiano and Beth Newbery. Laurie Rae Waugh directs this comedy that exemplifies the parable “If you love someone, set them free… especially after you meet their mother!”  Wed 7/20, 8:45pm; Fri 7/22, 7:00pm; Sun 7/24, 2:45pm

For more on this production, click here.


Review Fix: What was the inspiration for this project?

Beth Newbery: Reading the script at first brought a smile and I love the way the writer has made the communication between the couple real and simply natural with a hint of comedy by the Mother. I was inspired as soon as I noted that many people would have been though or know someone who may want to have the guts to do what Eloise is doing. Being in love and loving someone, does this stop your life. The mother obviously doesn’t think so.

Review Fix: What’s your creative process like?

Newbery: It’s simple, clear and direct with the actors finding a way to move and develop the images thought moving whilst learning and gaining confidence without the script and then playing with the reactions, unsaid words, which are more important and then allow the director to work through missing elements that may not be noted , to enhance the process. Each rehearsal has to have a lift, each actor are requested to bring something to the table and alter moves and decisions of reacting vocally whilst listening to each other. Then simply playing with it until we each a place where we are able to keep growing.

Review Fix: What makes this different or special?

Newbery: All plays can be considered special or even different as each one as a story but this one for me, and after discussions with the director is special because of the use of words, and noted behaviour patterns between relationships. It brings out the raw, sometimes mean, but real “tennis match” arguments and whilst hurting, loving and being in need. All three characters need love, but explore pain, hurt, concerns, all in the mix around a brassy mother who also has moments of actually being one to both.

Review Fix: What did you learn about yourself through this process?

Newbery: As for learning, I guess this depends on what you mean, in terms of the creative ways I have learnt that playing a part that is loud, brash and elements to exploring flirting,then I like it, I have learnt to have fun with rehearsing and let your hair down as this really does allow you to explore more and develop quicker. I also understand that the other actors also are comfortable more when you open yourself to being relaxed.

Review Fix: What are your ultimate goals for this production and for the future?

Newbery: It would be great to develop this and create and produce the full play version as the writer has already done this and I think that taking it elsewhere after gaining this insight would be productive and beneficial.

Review Fix: What do you think your audiences will enjoy the most?

Newbery: The interaction between the mother and the ex-boyfriend of the daughter, and the manner in which the relationships behave. I think many people can relate to some parts of the conversation so this will certainly be a lighthearted and fun play to watch.

Review Fix: What’s next?

Newbery: For me personally, I am working on a feature film, a TV show and have already been asked to assist with two projects and direct a play ! I have a busy next two years already!!  As for the cast, and the play I would love to work with all those involved in this production as it’s been insightful and fun.. thank you.

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About Patrick Hickey Jr. 13821 Articles
Patrick Hickey Jr. is a full-time Assistant Professor of Communication & Performing Arts and Director of the Journalism program at Kingsborough Community College and is the chairman of the City University of New York Journalism Council. He is the Founder and Editor-In-Chief of ReviewFix.com. He's also a former News Editor at NBC Local Integrated Media and National Video Games Writer at Examiner.com where his work was mentioned in National Ad campaigns by Disney, Nintendo and EA Sports. Hickey was also the Editor-In-Chief of two College Newspapers before he received his BA in Journalism from Brooklyn College. Hickey's work has been published in The New York Daily News, The New York Times, Complex, The Hockey Writers, Yahoo!, Broadway World, Examiner, NYSportScene Magazine, ProHockeyNews.com, GothamBaseball.com, The Syracuse Post-Standard, Scout.com and the official sites of the Brooklyn Aces and New York Islanders. His first book, The Minds Behind the Games: Interviews With Cult And Classic Video Game Developers was released in April 2018 and is chock full of interviews with legendary developers. His second book in the series, The Minds Behind Adventures Games, was released in December 2019. His third book, The Minds Behind Sports Games, was released in September 2020. His fourth book, The Minds Behind Shooter Games, was released in March 2021. The Minds Behind Sega Genesis Games and The Minds Behind PlayStation Games were released in 2022 and The Minds Behind PlayStation 2 was published in January 2023. Hickey is also a contracted comic book writer, currently penning his original series, "Condrey," as well as "The Job," "Brooklyn Bleeds" "Dem Gulls" and "KROOM" for Legacy Comix, where he serves as founder, owner and Editor-in-Chief. Hickey Jr. is also a voice actor, having starred in the 2018 indie hit and 2019 Switch, PS4 and Xbox One release, The Padre (also serving as English language Story Editor), from Shotgun With Glitters. The sequel, The Padre: One Shell Straight to Hell was released in February 2021- Hickey also served as a Story Editor and Lead Voiceover performer. He has also done narration and trailers for several other titles including The Kaiju Offensive, Relentless Rex and Roniu’s Tale. Hickey is also the lead voiceover performer on Mega Cat Studios’ upcoming title WrestleQuest, responsible for nearly 90 characters in the game, as well as Skybound's Renfield: Bring Your Own Blood, where he voices both Dracula and Renfield, as well as several other characters. He also stars in Ziggurat Interactive’s World Championship Boxing Manager 2, where he performs the VO of nearly every male character in the game. He also worked on the Atari VCS’s BPM Boy.

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