While the rest of New York City was watching game 7 of the Ranger game on Friday night, we were catching up on our legal jargon. Proffer or “queen for a day” are written agreements between federal prosecutors and individuals under criminal investigation which permit these individuals to tell the government about their knowledge of crimes, with the supposed assurance that their words will not be used against them in any later proceedings.
Why would we know this, want to know this or even write about it? It has everything to do with the off-Broadway play, A Queen For A Day starring David Proval and Vincent Pastore. If you read our preview last week, you know how excited we were to see this show. Sopranos meets off-Broadway in Hell’s Kitchen?! Sign us up! And that’s what it was, and more!
For starters, the venue was perfectly selected. The Theatre At St Clements (and church) is the third oldest, continually operating Off Broadway Theatre in New York City. When the venue is not hosting performances, they’re pioneering in the celebration of a ministry of women, gay and lesbian people, and those of all walks of life; a longtime center of service to the poor, celebrating social activism and creative liturgy. Pretty progressive for a church in our opinion. We love it.
The set takes place in an abandoned warehouse and the church puts you right there. Michael Ricigliano Jr. takes us through the legal process of ‘ratting’ and what the procedure looks like. While he’s doing that, he gives us a look into the minds and psyche of those involved. What thoughts run through the informant’s minds, what considerations are presented and the emotions that run with it all. David Proval brilliantly laughed, cried, reminisced and contemplated his options beautifully. His powerful performance alongside his attorney played by David Deblinger was just brilliant.
We spend the majority of the show leading up to the twist that we won’t spoil but promise will be worth the price of admission. This was an incredible play and it’s quite obvious that Michael Ricigliano Jr. is the future of playwriting. We cannot wait to experience his next work.
Kudos to the stellar cast including Portia who could be a ‘wise guy’ herself.
If you didn’t read our preview, the show runs through July 26, 2015 at the Theatre at St. Clement’s located on 46th Street between 9th and 10th Avenues. Ticket prices range between $49 and $99 and can be purchased by visiting AQueenForADayPlay.com, or visiting our Half-Price Ticket Section for Deals!
@newyorkeventsco