The Emperor of North America

Silver Spring Stage presented the world premiere of The Emperor of North America, in conjunction with the American Association of Community Theatre’s NewPlayFest 2016.

 

“What I like about Lenora Spahn’s performance as Molly is her “just do it” take on the role. Her success in this role is in her simplicity. The writing leaves me wanting to know more about her and her history with her dad, mom, and her boyfriend.”

“Two areas where this production particularly succeeds is with the lively cast and the functional set design. Remember, that since this is a world-premiere production, there are no example performances for the actors to model after. In a way this allows the actors to really focus on their characters and making it their own rather than risking copying off of another actor’s interpretation.”

MD Theatre Guide

“As Molly, Lenora Spahn is terrific in making us see Leo through the eyes of his 20 something daughter who moved in with dad a few years earlier.

Spahn has raised Molly to become a strong and spirited woman. Her most moving scene occurs when she visits her grandfather in a nursing home."

DC Metro Theater Arts

“The acting is definitely up to the mark: Northup drops movie star names like discarded Kleenex; Murray emotes and agonizes believably (even if the playwright gives him too many Serious Writer lines); Culler pontificates magisterially, yet has a nice comic touch with his quips and asides; Winter is efficient and earnest, but sexy, too; and Spahn makes Molly a nuanced and affecting mother-to-be.”

Takoma Voice