REVIEW - LAByrinth's Devil of Choice
by Edward Medina
Devil of Choice is a sexually charged, tense yet funny, menage-a-trois of strong acting, crisp writing, and well finessed directing that makes for a very satisfying theatrical affair. This world premiere production on stage at the Cherry Lane Theatre, and presented by the Labyrinth Theater Company, is an exceptional piece of work that studies what makes us tick, both good and bad, in the world of human nature and in the midst of lust filled passion, revolving around Sal and David Zayas gives a powerful and commanding performance as the misogynistic Don Juan of the hallowed halls. He doesn’t just walk the stage, he prowls. He doesn’t just speak, he orates. He doesn’t just seduce, he takes. All of this is under the slick and stylish direction of Shira-Lee Shalit. There’s a lot to reign in and it’s all assuredly done. She is yet another woman in this predominantly female driven production that manages to keep all things in balance. There is very delicate work being done here. This is a play that could have easily turned into an over the top, mansplaining, weak woman as victims free for all mess. This director, this writer, these actors, and their production team have made sure that Devil of Choice is a superbly acted play of substance that revels in the devils we all face.
Cherry Lane Theatre
Main Stage
38 Commerce Street
New York, NY 10014
www.cherrylanetheatre.org/onstage/devil-of-choice/
212.989.2020
May 23rd- June 9th
by Edward Medina
Devil of Choice is a sexually charged, tense yet funny, menage-a-trois of strong acting, crisp writing, and well finessed directing that makes for a very satisfying theatrical affair. This world premiere production on stage at the Cherry Lane Theatre, and presented by the Labyrinth Theater Company, is an exceptional piece of work that studies what makes us tick, both good and bad, in the world of human nature and in the midst of lust filled passion, revolving around Sal and David Zayas gives a powerful and commanding performance as the misogynistic Don Juan of the hallowed halls. He doesn’t just walk the stage, he prowls. He doesn’t just speak, he orates. He doesn’t just seduce, he takes. All of this is under the slick and stylish direction of Shira-Lee Shalit. There’s a lot to reign in and it’s all assuredly done. She is yet another woman in this predominantly female driven production that manages to keep all things in balance. There is very delicate work being done here. This is a play that could have easily turned into an over the top, mansplaining, weak woman as victims free for all mess. This director, this writer, these actors, and their production team have made sure that Devil of Choice is a superbly acted play of substance that revels in the devils we all face.
Cherry Lane Theatre
Main Stage
38 Commerce Street
New York, NY 10014
www.cherrylanetheatre.org/onstage/devil-of-choice/
212.989.2020
May 23rd- June 9th
Press - FAULT LINES directed by Shira-Lee Shalit 9/2015
"My four-star rating is a tribute to the very fine work accomplished by director Shira-Lee Shalit and her cast. The master acting teachers talk about relaxation and listening as keys to great acting. This team reaches the golden goal post of “living on stage” in this production. They are relaxed and listen to each other, without cue to cue talk too often seen in today’s theater." -- Elise Marenson, The Front Row Center
"Director - Shira-Lee Shalit highlighted all of the strong elements at the right moments. Shalit’s staging was natural, not asking her actors to move for the sake of movement. Fault Lines is a gem of a production. With a poignant script and well-rounded ensemble, Fault Lines will get you pondering the value of your own friendships." -- Michael Block, Theatre in the Now
"This revival offers the combination of a strong cast and Shira-Lee Shalit’s intuitive staging, reinforcing an already well-crafted script...Fault Lines is smartly crafted. Its talented cast and crew have done a remarkable job bringing the characters to life. -- Sarah Weber, Theatre is Easy
THE WINDOW - REVIEWS
Under the astute direction of Shira-Lee Shalit motives are clear; movement is precise and economicalas the conflict moves along at a desirable pace. The entire creative team should be applauded for producing a clean, polished production with high artistic integrity.
http://www.theatrereviews.com/reviews/offbdwy-TheWindow.htm 1/2014
As for the actors, Lippolis’ Eva moves with the grace of a ‘50s-era starlet, She is more than believable for her character’s reserved, polite girl-next-door demeanor. In fact, she is perfect: from the way she moves across the room to the way she sips her soda, to even her diction – everything about her seemed like she jumped out of a black-and-white film and into our own Technicolor world. As her aunt’s young lover Bill, Freeman too seems a man out of time, exuding a presence that recalls that of a young Marlon Brando a la A Streetcar Named Desire. To say that he holds his own against his female counterparts would be an understatement.
http://offoffonline.com/
Under the astute direction of Shira-Lee Shalit motives are clear; movement is precise and economicalas the conflict moves along at a desirable pace. The entire creative team should be applauded for producing a clean, polished production with high artistic integrity.
http://www.theatrereviews.com/reviews/offbdwy-TheWindow.htm 1/2014
As for the actors, Lippolis’ Eva moves with the grace of a ‘50s-era starlet, She is more than believable for her character’s reserved, polite girl-next-door demeanor. In fact, she is perfect: from the way she moves across the room to the way she sips her soda, to even her diction – everything about her seemed like she jumped out of a black-and-white film and into our own Technicolor world. As her aunt’s young lover Bill, Freeman too seems a man out of time, exuding a presence that recalls that of a young Marlon Brando a la A Streetcar Named Desire. To say that he holds his own against his female counterparts would be an understatement.
http://offoffonline.com/
Some of the 50 festivals that "Open Air" has been accepted to are:
(Awards in parentheses)
(Awards in parentheses)
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• AceFest (WINNER -BEST SHORT)
• Appalachian Film Festival (WINNER -BEST SHORT) • Mexico International Film Festival (WINNER -SILVER PALM Award) • New Jersey International Film Festival (WINNER -BEST SHORT) • Worldfest Houston (WINNER -REMI Award) • Accolade Film Festival • Artsfest • Bend Film Festival • Big Apple Film Festival • Breckenridge Festival of Film • Burbank International Film Festival • Cleveland Film Festival • East Lansing Film Festival • Fargo Film Festival • Gasparilla Film Festival • Global Peace Film Festival • The Heart of England International Film Festival • Humbolt Film Festival • International Film Festival Egypt • International Film Festival Ireland • International Film Festival Australia • International Film Festival of West Wales • International Film Festival South Africa• International Film Festival Thailand • International Youth Film Festival - UK |
• ION International Film Festival Istanbul
• LA Shorts Festival • Las Vegas Film Festival • Montreal World Film Festival • New Orleans Film Festival • Palm Beach Film Festival • Phuket International Film Festival • Playhouse West Film Festival • Provincetown Film Festival • Reel to Reel International Film Festival • Reel to Reel Women Film Festival • Rhode Island International Film Festival • Rochester International Film Festival • Sedona Film Festival • Swansea Film Festival • Tupelo Film Festival • Wine Country Film Festival • Wood’s Hole Film Festival |
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November, 2009 - Shira-Lee is featured in MovieMaker Magazine Issue #83 - Special Annual Edition -Complete Guide to Making Movies 2010, in the article - "Casting Without a Casting Director" -Pages 42 -44
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May 22, 2009 - Shira-Lee is honored to be selected as one of the New Directors in Shoot's Showcase event at the DGA, NYC, 2009
http://shootonline.com/new-directors-showcase-mini-profiles |
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At Rutgers, upcoming film festival features Jewish flavor
http://thejewishstate.net/may2209filmfest.html (site is no longer active) |
Cine-tal’s Cinemage Helps Breathe Life into “Open Air”
http://www.creativeplanetnetwork.com/the_wire/2008/07/08/cine-tal%E2%80%99s-cinemage-helps-breathe-life-into-%E2%80%9Copen-air%E2%80%9D/#more-5622 |
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"From thousands of contestants worldwide, South African born Shira-Lee Shalit was chosen. And, she is looking good." - Juluka Magazine
(click the link or the image to read the article) |
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"'The judges pegged me as a sexy romantic comedy director', says Shira-Lee, who is perfectly comfortable with that label." - Modern Luxury
(click the link or the image to read the article) |
"Now writer/director Shira-Lee Shalit offers her own addition to the air-travel genre with the sublime "Check Out", involving one of the more memorable scenes to take place in a security boarding line." - Peter Gilstrap, Variety Magazine on Check Out
(click the link or the image to read the article) |
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"Shalit's "Beeline", about a frisky single mother with a precious PlayStation 3- coveting son, charms the panel. Carrie Fisher gives her thumbs up, David Frankel tells her it made him laugh and it's the best he's seen so far, Garry Marshall praises her sense of timing." - Variety Magazine on Beeline on Fox's On The Lot.
(click the link or the image to read the article) |
