12/13/2009 - Albany Times Union Review of Little Women
As seen on WAMC's Web Site Spotlight on our Underwriters: “Theater should not only entertain its audience, but also challenge it to re-evaluate why society thinks and acts the way it does.”
	Confetti Stage, Inc. began as the dream of its current Managing Artistic Director, Neilson Jones.  He dreamt of a community theater (with professional ambitions) that delves into the lesser known and more thought provoking pieces of theater.  It is Mr. Jones’ belief that theater should not only entertain its audience, but also challenge it to re-evaluate why society thinks and acts the way it does.  The Confetti Stage tag line, “Theater Without Limits,” is not only indicative of the cutting edge works sought out by this bold and relatively new company, but also that Confetti Stage is not afraid to bring to the stage new works by lesser known or unknown playwrights, or theatrical gems that engage audiences of all ages. Since its incorporation as a not-for-profit organization in November, 2004, Confetti Stage has produced five full Main Stage Productions, four Family Series Productions, two Short Play Festivals, and one Monologue Showcase, and the organization is less than two years old!  Our continuing mission and driving force is as follows: Confetti Stage was founded to explore the human experience, while illuminating the myriad diversities which define us as groups and individuals.  Confetti Stage promotes diversity and understanding through the creation of dynamic and inspirational productions and educational opportunities.  We strive to maintain the highest possible level of artistic standards while fostering collaboration and mutual respect. Confetti Stage’s premiere production of Marsha Norman’s ‘night, Mother played in January, 2005 (remember the blizzard of ’05) at The Hilton Center for the Performing Arts in Albany.  The production was scheduled for 3 performances.  The second performance was cancelled because of the blizzard.  ‘night, Mother was seen by only 18 people.  One of them said that he felt sorry for everyone who did not get to see this terrific production.  Any other company would have packed up, after playing to so few, but not Confetti Stage.  Work began, almost immediately, on the Confetti Family Series Production of Blanche Marvin’s Mr. Easter Bunny.  This delightful tale of how the bunny came to represent this holy day, ran for one weekend in March, 2005 at The Hilton Center and delighted each and every audience.  The second production of the 2005 Confetti Family Series, The Emperor’s New Clothes by Blanche Marvin, played for two weekends at The Hilton Center and one weekend at The Charles R. Wood Theater in Glens Falls in May, 2005.  Once again, Confetti Stage provided excellent and magical entertainment which was appropriate for all ages.  Both of these Family Series Productions proved that “Theater Without Limits” could provide family theater as well.  In June, 2005, Confetti Stage produced the Capital Region Premiere of Paul Rudnick’s comedy, The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told.  This hysterical work depicted major segments from The Old Testament told from a Genesis which found Adam and Steve in the Garden of Eden.  Along with a lesbian couple, Jane and Mabel, Adam and Steve provided a gay counterpoint to the more traditional stories from The Old Testament.  It humorously provoked the question, “What if?” Included as a Capital Pride 2005 Event, The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told became Confetti Stage’s best attended production to that point.  It ran for one weekend in June, 2005 at The Arts Center of the Capital Region and was seen by over 200 people.  In July 2005, Confetti Stage ventured into the world of Short Plays, producing its first annual Short Play Series.  The event ran for two evenings at The Hilton Center, showing three short plays each night.  The final production of the 2005 Family Series was Blanche Marvin’s adaptation of Peter and the Wolf.  The Arts Center of the Capital Region was the venue for this magical and musical re-telling of the story of Peter and all of his animal friends.  This work was filled with vibrant colors, in both the sets and costumes, and a magical transition from the musical dream like second act to the Finale.  Peter and the Wolf ran for one weekend and became the best attended Family Series Production to that point.  Jeff Goode’s ultra-dark comedy, The Eight: Reindeer Monologues finished out Confetti Stage’s first season.  This wickedly funny work portrayed Santa Claus’ eight tiny reindeer with human personalities, and provided them with a very contemporary, and Clintonesque scandal with which to deal.  This piece was so highly acclaimed by those who saw it, that it is being brought back to close out our 2006 season as well.  Confetti Stage found itself at a fiscal “break even” point when its 2005 season closed.  That is almost never heard of for a first year community theater company, and it is something in which Confetti Stage takes great pride.

The 2006 Season continues to be just as exciting as 2005.  Eastern Standard, by Richard Greenberg, and How I Learned to Drive, by Paula Vogel were both very well received by audiences at The Arts Center of the Capital Region, as was Jack and the Beanstalk, by Kathryn Schultz-Miller.  The Second Annual Short Play Festival took on a different feel as it focused more on playwrights from the Albany area.  Five of the six plays performed at this year’s festival were written by Capital Region Playwrights.  The festival ran three evenings this past July at WAMC’s Linda Norris Auditorium, and has been raved about by those who attended.  Upcoming for Confetti Stage is the last offering for the 2006 Family Series, Tim Kelly’s adaptation of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.  Once again, at The Arts Center of the Capital Region in Troy, this production promises to be fast paced, bright, colorful, and full of the nonsense of Lewis Carroll’s Wonderland.  Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland will run for three performances on