In David Auburn's "The Columnist," at MTC's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre extended to June 24th again through July 1st, Joe Alsop (John Lithgow) hides the open secret of his homosexuality in a marriage to his best friend's widow, Susan Mary Alsop (Margaret Colin.)
Alsop is as guarded about his personal life as he is aggressive in his professional activities. Joseph Alsop's was a liberal's conservative, anti McCarthy, and as excited by the Kennedy presidency as he was hostile to LBJ's good ole boy politics. He called both the Cold and Vietnam Wars all wrong but stayed the course even as his patrician accent and bespoke wardrobe went out of fashion. His gleeful quest for power and influence made him a much less reliable witness to history than his brother and one-time writing partner, Stewart (Boyd Gaines.)
Everyone in the cast of "The Columnist" is excellent, with John Lithgow in the lead giving an affecting portrayal of the work-aholic newspaperman. Grace Gummer, as Susan Mary's daughter Abigail, makes the most of her role as a foil to her stodgy stepfather.
TONY NEWS: or is it? John Lithgow is a nominee for 2012 Best Actor in a Drama!
In "Regrets," a group of men camp out in a Reno bungalow colony to establish residency. They are each bruised by their broken marriages. Mrs. Duke's (Adriane Lenox) cabins are a way-station for their lost souls.
South Pacific, is a big talent with a lovely voice and a natural ease on stage. Broderick's pleasant voice is buoyed by his castmates, many of whom give superb performances. The gypsies, dancing and singing in support of the main characters, under the direction and with choreography by Kathleen Marshall, are all excellent. The jazz era costumes by Martin Pakledinaz are resplendent and colorful.
Canal Park Playhouse is also an unusual venue because of its quaint landmarked setting in an 1828 canal house.
Most importantly for theater lovers, though, is the mix of surprising programming to be found at this lovely little theater.
For instance, weekends from April 21st to May 13th, "Drew the Dramatic Fool" (Drew Richardson)
brings his comedic sadsack "bumbling" to the Matinee/Brunch series. On Friday evenings from April 20th to May 11th, Drew gives slapstick a distinct edge in a show called "Help! Help! I Know This Title Is Too Long, But Somebody's Trying To Kill Me."
The recently launched "Play readings in the back room" are hosted by playwrights Joe Roland and Emily Devoti. Beginning on June 20th and running through July 15th from Wednesday through Saturday, come hear Frank McGuiness's "Someone Who'll Watch Over Me."
Visit http://canalparkplayhouse.com/ for more information on these programs.
Who doesn't like a festival? Embedded int he word is the possibilty of a happy-- okay, festive-- occasion. Everybody enjoys a celebration. What we are celebrating at 59E59 Theaters' "Scotland Week" are a couple of Scotland's fine playwrights and their supporting casts. The plays, "A Slow Air" by David Harrower, running through April 29th, and Gerda Stevenson's "Murray Versus Federer," on stage through April 22nd, are serious, even grim affairs. The latter about a couple, grieving over the loss of a son in war, and at war with each other. The former about a pair of siblings that have been estranged for the past fourteen years.
That is not to say that there is not plenty to celebrate here.
While "Murray Versus Federer" is written in short-hand, like the radio plays Stevenson scripts for the BBC, it is an intelligent and moving tale. It needs more time to pursue its subject in depth and allow its characters their full development, but what it gives us is subtle and well-written.
Grief is personal even when it's shared. In "Murray Versus Federer," Flo (Gerda Stevenson, also the writer and director), and Jimmy (Dave Anderson) are rent asunder in their bereavement. Their differences in temperament are underscored by their loss. Resentments lead them to blame each other.
"Well, tell me this, Mr. Expert," Flo says, "how come you kept yer mooth shut when Joe joined up? How come ye didnae dae yer schoolboy homework then, eh?" Jimmy explodes back at her "I'll no keep ma mooth shut just to keep a phoney fuckin peace in this hoose, a phoney fuckin peace that's packed wi lies. My son died fur lies, lies!" In "Murray Versus Federer," Flo and Jimmy share the stage with the memory of Joe, a Saxophonist (Ben Bryden), who alternately plays sad, soulful and jazzy tunes between the five short scenes.
"Murray Versus Federer," despite its brevity and because of the excellent acting, is affecting and intimate. The set by Jessica Brettle turns the small space into an elaborate living room with the catty-corner walls providing both background and a scrim behind which the Saxophonist is introduced.
In "A Slow Air," the siblings long estrangement is temperamental as much as circumstantial. Athol (Lewis Howden)is a steady hard-working bloke whose built a business in construction and lives in the suburbs. His sister, Morna (Susan Vidler) is a free-spirited and rebellious single mother who cleans rich folks' houses. Like the dimly lit stage it occupies, "A Slow Air" fails to illuminate any of the many themes on which it touches.
"A Slow Air" is structured as a double monologue. On the darkened stage (lighting by Dave Shea), in "A Slow Air" Jessica Brettle has designed a simple set on a roughly tiled floor that divides the two monologists. There is a high window on the back wall, and two wooden armchairs to which Athol and Morna withdraw like boxers into their corners.
For more information about the nearly month-long Scotland Week at 59E59 Theaters, please visit their website at www.59E59.org.
After a slightly slow start, "The Morini Strad," in a New York premiere at Primary Stages at 59E59 Theaters through April 22nd, just begins to hum beautifully. Willy Holtzman's play is based on truth but it is fantastic in all the best senses--odd and imaginative; the characters "The Morini Strad," get a grip and hold on tight.
Erica (Mary Beth Peil), once a child prodigy, has only memories of her great performances (enacted by violinist Hanah Stuart) and her Davidoff violin. Age has diminished her capacities. No longer able to play, she is difficult, even unpleasant to everyone-- especially to the students she takes on. She invites Brian (Michael Laurence), a luthier, to come to repair the violin.
Exacting and embittered, Erica asks Brian to sell the Strad. Beguiled by the promise of a huge payday, Brian invests his hopes and time in what may prove to be a futile endeavor.
Peil and Laurence beautifully play out the improbably affectionate relationship that develops between Erica and Brian. They give utterly believable and very moving performances.
For tickets and a schedule of performances, please visit www.primarystages.org.
David Wilson Barnes, Jennifer Mudge, Anita Gilette, Tom Bloom, Rachel Resheff. Photo byJoan Marcus.
The writing, the acting, the pace of the direction, all tell this engaging story that begins with Nicky (Phoebe Strole in this incarnation) and Sam (Cameron Scoggins) on their first dates. They meet, flirt, fight, and eventually reconnect, older (Jennifer Mudge is now Nicky with David Wilson Barnes playing Sam) and ready to commit. Sam and Nicky hang in over many more drinks and dinners, bringing their kids, Maddy and Robbie (Rachel Resheff and Griffin Birney) out to eat with Sam's parents, Alice (Anita Gillette) and Robert (Tom Bloom.)
The actors rotate into the characters as they age, picking up the nuances from generation to generation. "We really started something," Anita Gillette says late in "The Big Meal."
"The Big Meal" is delightful in its simplicity and authenticity. For tickets and information about "The Big Meal," go to www.playwrightshorizons.org.
