By Ed Kliszus
The Theater for the New City presented Bliss Street, a blockbuster musical production based on the life and times of New York rocker Charlie Sub (Blaize Adler-Ivanbroo) and his unique connection to the legendary Coventry Club in Queens, New York.
Front: Marlaine Angelides as Ethyl in a scene from Bliss Street. Photo by Jonathan Slaff.
Narrated by Ethyl (Marlain Angelides), Bliss Street depicted Charlie Sub’s growing up in an ever-changing New York City in a family that adapted and survived with panache. We saw NYC through film and photos on full-stage projections depicting the issues of the fiery 60s and 70s.
Founded by Sub’s father Paul (Jef Canter), Coventry Club, located near the Bliss Street subway stop, hosted world-famous bands like The Doors, Cream, The Who, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Allman Brothers, J. Geils, The Ramones, and the Velvet Underground.
Front: Blaize Adler-Ivanbrook as Charlie Sub in a scene from Bliss Street. Photo by Jonathan Slaff.
In this intimate theater space, expanded in scope and sphere through artistic imagination, élan, and enthusiasm, the audience experienced great music, dancing, flashy sets, costumes, and special effects. Twenty original songs by composer and guitarist Charlie Sub drove almost continuous action as we watched Sub’s life unfold. We witnessed his childhood in a loving Jewish family who escaped Nazi-occupied Austria through his rockin’ days in the 1960s and 70s. We discovered that Sub still plays in his band Charlie Sub & Sound Dogs and runs his club Ethyl’s on the upper east side. Emotional connections were projected and drawn to Sub’s family and the values he learned from their provenance, persistence, honesty, and character.
We were treated to a large cast of gifted singers, dancers, and actors, full stage video and photo projection, great sound, lighting, costumes, and a grooving rock n’ roll band perched above the action, including the real Charlie Sub performing as rhythm guitarist.
L-R: Alyson Reim, Blaize Adler-Ivanbrook, Milo Longenecker, Jef Canter in a scene from Bliss Street. Photo by Jonathan Slaff
This production appeals to a broad audience spanning age groups, cultural backgrounds, and musical inclinations. Bliss Street runs through May 20, so beat the crowds and check it out. It’s multi-media musical storytelling at its best.
Runtime is about 3 hours with one 10-minute intermission.
BLISS STREET
Written by Abra Bigham
Music & Lyrics by Charlie Sub
Concept & Story by Rich Brotman & Charlie Sub
Directed by Lissa Moira
CAST
Blaize Adler-Ivanbroo as Charlie
Marlain Angelides as Ethyl
JC Augustin as Eric Damien Thomas
Deen Baker as Cliff
Ella Baldwinas as Berta
Zach Birdsall as Sam
Jef Canter as Paul
Tyler Egesdal as Boy, Ensemble
Alisa Ermolaev as Mandy, Helen
Patrick Kenner as Marty
Milo Longenecker as Sherman, Louie
Sarah MacDonnell as Helen, Ethyl
Alyson Reim as Mina
Felice Rose as Julie, Street Angel
Amelia Sasson as Goldie
Toni Renee Taylor as Ensemble
Fang Tseng as Street Angel, Ensemble
ance Captain – Fang Tseng
Artistic and Production Team
Executive Artistic Director, Crystal Field
Assistant Director, Production Stage Manager: Charles C. Casano
Asst. Stage manager: Leni Jenson
Choreographer: Sage Buchalter
Music Director: Jonathan Fox Powers
Virtual Set Designs: Carlos Almonte
rojection Design: StageTrip
Set Design: Mark Marcante
Set Design & Props: Lytza Colón
Lighting Design: Alexander Bartenieff
Costume design: Billy Little
Board Operator: Franklyn Rodriguez
Poster design by Total Boar Media
Social Media/Promotion: John David West, @johndavidwest
Original paintings by Charlie Sub
Musicians of the Bliss Street Show Band
Bandleader, Piano: Jonathan Fox Powers
Rhythm Guitar: Charlie Sub
Bass: Pat Branci
Keyboard: Richie Brotman
Drums: James Wormworth
Guitar Paul Jacobs
Lead Guitar: Kevin Hunter
Reeds: Arno Hecht
Band Producer: Paul Guzzone
Theater for the New City
155 First Ave. (between 9th &10th Street)
New York, NY 10003 (212) 254-1109
For tickets and information, go to: https://theaterforthenewcity.net/shows/bliss-street/ Readers may also enjoy our reviews of The Singing Sphere, Daughter of the Wicked, Drinking in America, and The Conductor.
