Kudos also to Tina Traboulsi for a stunning turn as the young woman positively besotted by Essendine, who also manages to show (in the third act) how her character has more maturity than she previously revealed behind the facade of a naïf.
Daphne (the simply hilarious Tina Traboulsi), a pretty young thing who has successfully seduced Garry and spent the night, wakes up alone on his couch.
Tina Traboulsi, who recently portrayed Cynthia Weil in “Beautiful” at Spreckels, as the radio actress Sally Applewhite who plays Mary Hatch, George’s wife, captures her sense of love and loyalty to her unhappy husband. Traboulsi helps the Foley Artist with sound effects. Watching her when she is not speaking or in the spotlight is a joy as she is always engaged in the scene with her facial expressions and her gestures.
…and both deliver strong vocal work. This is also true of Bolander and Traboulsi (Traboulsi, in particular, continues to impress with her work on local stages). Much of the show’s humor comes from these two characters, and both performers display significant comedic chops.
Tina Traboulsi, Sarah Lundstrom, Emily Owens Evans and Caroline Shen… lend their fine voices in close harmonies that soar on wings. They could have led the way for the Andrews Sisters who followed years later.
Traboulsi learned French from scratch, with a convincing accent, for her part as Louise.
Tina Traboulsi as snarky, witty Louise LeBreton. All bring charm and depth to their characters… Instrumental accompaniments, skillfully provided, include actors: Caroline Shen, Emily Owens Evans, and Tina Traboulsi.
The Hello GirlsCaroline Shen, Jenny Veilleux, Skyler King, Tina Traboulsi, Jonathen Blue, Emily Evans, Phi Tran, Sarah Lundstrom at Sonoma Arts Live. Photo credit Oberlin Photography.
The story focuses on two families and the changes in their lives during the years 1901-1913, especially the love that develops between George Gibbs (Jaeden Sanchez) and Emily Webb (Tina Traboulsi)… Traboulsi is extraordinary and her range outstanding as her character matures and changes over time.
By 1904, Emily Webb (winsome Tina Traboulsi) and George Gibbs (affable Jaedan Sanchez) are courting from their upstairs windows, like Romeo and Juliet but without the family enmity.
Traboulsi’s Laura, full of self-doubt and twisted with anxiety, keeps her world inside her head and Traboulsi holds it there beautifully, revealing just enough to make us sympathize with her afflictions as we long for her to break out and join the world which she fears judges her. It’s a quirky and difficult role to pull-off and neither over nor underdone, Traboulsi’s Laura is just right.
The Glass MenageriePhoto by Robin Jackson BLUE ROSES The Ross Valley Players’ production of ‘The Glass Menagerie’ stars (from left) Tina Traboulsi, Tamar Cohn and David Abrams. Photo by Robin Jackson
Tina Traboulsi brings all right qualities of awkward shyness and yet an underlying strength to Laura. She eschews a leg brace which is often used in productions, and instead adopts a slight limp, which she of course sees as a monumental obstruction. Jesse Lumb’s warm, comforting and caring gentleman caller is pitch-perfect. His scene lit by candlelight with Laura is a particular highlight of emotional excellence.
The most intriguing part of the production is Traboulsi’s Laura. Instead of focusing on a physical deformity, Laura is stuck in a (frighteningly real) world where neurodivergence leads to institutionalization and lobotomy. This neurodivergent Laura is stronger and more relatable than how the character is usually played. Lumb brings all the golden retriever-like ease, energy and charm to Jim while still conveying the tragedy of the character. The two together are electric.
Beulah F. Vega
The Glass Menagerie Jesse Lumb as Jim. Tina Traboulsi as Laura. Photos by Robin Jackson.
Tina Traboulsi brings vocal energy and creative acting choices to the role of Logainne.
[Held] is a perfect foil in contrast to Traboulsi in her role as a marginally successful artist who cherishes the view from this overbooked room. These actors master their roles…
