Pat Launer on San Diego Theater
By Pat Launer, SDNN
Thursday, November
12, 2009
http://www.sdnn.com/sandiego/2009-11-11/things-to-do/theater-things-to-do/parade-boston-marriage-theater-reviews-and-news
READ REVIEWS OF: “
Dastardly
THE SHOW:
“Parade,” a 1998 musical, at the Mark Taper Forum
It was 1913. Leo Frank was a Northeastern, Jewish
intellectual living in
The scurrilous
prosecutor, Hugh Dorsey, in cahoots with a crooked, self-serving judge, coerced
false testimony from a bevy of townspeople. The jury’s verdict was swift and
unwavering: Guilty. The sentence: death by hanging.
Leo was something
of a loner, aloof, arrogant and condescending, which didn’t really help his
cause. He spent two years in prison, and during that time, he came to see the
unmistakable value of his indomitable wife. She worked tirelessly to get the
court decision reversed. Finally, she convinced the governor to reopen and
reconsider the case. This engendered nationwide controversy; pressure poured in
from Northeast liberals, the broad-reaching Jewish community, even Thomas
Edison. When the governor commuted the sentence, all hell broke loose. The
bloodthirsty, narrow-minded mob wanted retribution, and they took matters into
their own hands. The incident fostered the resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan.
The ultimate
resolution of the events, which doesn’t appear in the musical, is that 70 years
later, an eyewitness to the crime came forward to exonerate Frank. In 1986, he
was granted a posthumous pardon.
Seems like gloomy,
cheerless material for a musical. But there’s a precedent for shows with
social/political leanings that condemn prejudice and the miscarriage of
justice, both fictional and factual, from “Show Boat” to “South Pacific,”
“Ragtime” to “Sweeney Todd.”
When “Parade”
(whose title refers to the Confederate Memorial Day proceedings that bookend
the show) opened at
A 2007
The show,
beautifully designed, lit in shadows and sepia tones, is a moving, disturbing,
gut-wrenching experience, all the more gripping for being based in fact. The
narrative is haunted by an earlier time in the South; ghosts of a Confederate
soldier, and the hoop-skirted damsel who awaited him, recall a more elegant
time in the South, but a no less brutal or prejudiced one.
The direction and
choreography are perfect; and there’s even an opportunity for two stellar
dancers to have a bit of a go at it. Michael Berresse
and Charlotte D’Amboise, stars of the recent revival of “A Chorus Line” (they
played Zach and Cassie) assay small roles here, but we do get to see them move,
briefly but effortlessly. The gorgeous-voiced Davis Gaines, who performed the
title role in “The Phantom of the Opera” more than 2,000 times, also has minor
parts, but he makes them sing. Former San Diegan
The score is
earnest, touching and unpredictable, ranging from anthems to ballads to gospel,
blues and patriotic celebrations. The 9-piece orchestra (musical direction by
Tom Murray, with orchestrations by David Cullen), which includes accordion,
cello and French horn, provides an evocative, often mournful underscoring. The
singing is superb.
T.R. Knight (one
of the promiscuous interns in “Grey’s Anatomy”) is marvelous as the smug and
remote Leo Frank, and Pulver is wonderful as his
indefatigable helpmate. Hoff does another sleazy, manipulative turn as the
prosecutor (he won his Tony Award as the dastardly Tommy DeVito
in “Jersey Boys”). And in several small but seminal roles, David St. Louis
steals nearly every scene he’s in, with his muscular, commanding presence and
deep, resonant voice.
This is a story
and a show that are hard to forget, and shouldn’t be missed.
THE LOCATION: Mark Taper Forum,
THE DETAILS: Tickets:
$20-80. Tuesday-Saturday at 8 p.m.,
Saturday at 12:30 p.m.,
Sunday at 1 & 6:30 p.m., through November 15
THE BOTTOM LINE: BEST BET
Gutsy
Gals
THE SHOW: “
For his 1998
comedy, “Boston Marriage,” David Mamet came out of the slime and into the
parlor. A far cry from his macho man-fests, this play boasts an all-female cast
(and slightly less swearing), though it can’t be said to free him from his
misogynistic leanings. These certainly aren’t likable women, though they’re
smart and crafty and even elegant. Two of them are in a “Boston Marriage,”
which, at the turn of the 20th century when the play is set, meant independent
women living together, in an emotional and/or physical relationship. These two
definitely have both.
In order to live
in the style to which she’d like to become accustomed, Anna (Anne marie Houghtailing)
VALERIE: NOTE that she spells the marie without
capitalization!) has become the mistress of a wealthy man, who’s set her up in
lovely digs (very pink, in Adam Lindsay’s design, with none of the chintz so
frequently referred to).
“Love,” as her
beloved Claire (Ravenna Fahey) says, “like expensive jewelry, conquers all.”
There is a very expensive emerald necklace that features in the plot and sets
off whatever conflict and action there is -- besides a good bit of jealousy and
cat-fighting, and demeaning of the maid (Michelle Brooks with a fine Scottish
brogue).
Events are set in
nefarious motion when Claire admits that she’s fallen in love with a much
younger, more innocent woman than Anna. And this after Anna’s gone to all this
trouble for Claire, acquiring the flat and decorating it with chintz (which,
she only later finds out, Claire loathes). Claire wants to schedule her
seduction of the Sweet Young Thing in said flat. The maid, meanwhile, has
gotten knocked up. And the necklace seems to be the property of someone most
inconvenient.
Doesn’t sound
like something to work up a sweat about. It isn’t for the actors, either, though Mamet
has stuffed their mouths (especially Anna’s) with a torrent of oh-so-clever,
literary-referenced language… with a few Mametian
curses thrown in for fun.
It all seems like
a dramatic exercise, like Mamet was trying to prove something to all those
naysayers who thought he could never create three-dimensional female
characters. Well, he hasn’t. At least not as played here. The actors are
working hard, and the costumes (Lisa Burgess), are quite attractive
(particularly the ones for Anna, much less so for Claire). But under the
direction of
The play is a
dollop of Henry James and a pinch of Oscar Wilde, but a lot more smugly
self-conscious and self-satisfied than either, and a lot less clever than it
thinks it is. But this is a local premiere, and a Mamet play with smart (if
nasty and calculating) women. So if that’s enough to whet your dramatic/comedic
appetite, go for it.
THE LOCATION: Compass Theatre,
THE DETAILS: Tickets:
$15-23. Thursday-Saturday at 8 p.m.,
Saturday at 4 p.m.,
Sunday at 2 p.m., through November 22. A hot dog and a coke come with tickets
for the Thursday, 11/19 performance.
NEWS AND VIEWS
… Tony
… Spreading their
Wings: The Theatre School at North
Coast Repertory Theatre is presenting a world premiere adaptation of the
beloved Linda Sherry short story, “Beatrice
the Butterfly.”
… Back onstage: It was a treat to
see Arthur Wagner, founder of the
UCSD Dept. of Theatre, back on the boards again. The occasion was what seemed
like a first read of a new play, “A Word
of Secrecy,” by playwright/UCSD faculty member Allan Havis. The work is based
on the true story of an 85 year-old man, living in a
… Ralphie
and the Leg Lamp: Get your Red Ryder BB gun ready; “A Christmas Story” is coming to a theater near you. A stage
adaptation of the beloved 1983 holiday movie will be presented by San Diego Junior Theatre. December 4-20 at the Firehouse YMCA Theatre in downtown
… Drama in the Class!: Courtney Flanagan, long-time drama instructor
at the Bishop’s School in La Jolla, was giving the Deborah Salzer Excellence in Arts Education Award at the Playwrights Project’s “Lights Up!”
event last weekend. Named for the energetic, influential founder/executive
director of the Playwrights Project, the award and honor were part of an
evening introducing the winners of the 25th annual California Young
Playwrights Contest. Those plays will be given full productions at the Lyceum
Theatre, February 18-28. Info at www.playwrightsproject.org
… News from Mo’olelo:
The tiny Mo’olelo Performing Arts Company has had an
impact on great, big Broadway. At the TCG (Theatre Communications Group) Fall
Forum for nationwide nonprofit theaters, Mo’olelo
artistic director Seema Sueko was
part of a panel called “The Green Opportunity,” concerning eco-friendly theater. The rep from the Broadway Green Alliance admitted
that, when his group was starting to launch its Broadway Goes Green effort,
they used Mo’olelo’s “Green Theatre Categories and
Sustainable Guidelines” as the blueprint. Not to get too swell-headed, the
company is busily back at work, mounting a staged reading of “26 Miles,” by Quiara
Alegria Hudes, Pulitzer
Prize finalist and book-writer for the Tony-winning musical, “In the Heights.”
Set in 1986, the play concerns a half-Cuban/half Jewish 15 year-old who runs
off on a spur-of-the-moment road-trip with her estranged mother, in search of
antiques, buffalo and peace of mind. Part of the “Tuesdays at The 10th”
series, the reading features Rachael Van Wormer, Catalina Maynard, Lance Arthur
Smith and Claudio Raygoza. November 17, 6-8 p.m. at The
… Shakespearean AND Lincolnesque:
The San Diego Shakespeare Society
and Write Out Loud are presenting “Lincoln’s Shakespeare,” an evening
dedicated to that great Shakespeare fan, Abraham Lincoln. Adapted from a scholarly
essay, “Steeped in Shakespeare,” by UC Riverside English professor John Briggs,
the piece examines the political and psychological insights
… The show WILL go on: It was touch
and go there for awhile, with the overblown, out-of-control new Broadway
production of “Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark.” The runaway costs of the show, directed
by Julie (“The Lion King”) Taymor, had escalated to
an estimated $50 million, the highest in Broadway history, trailing a stack of
unpaid bills and costly theater renovations. Though the number is astronomical,
it may not be extreme given the production’s intention to “reinvent Broadway.”
There was speculation that the elaborate effort would never materialize. And
then deus ex machina, a
rock concert promoter with ties to the Rolling Stones and U2 (the Edge and Bono
have written the musical’s score) stepped in to save the day. Producer Michael Cohl now says the musical will open some time in 2010 and
that a relatively unknown actor, Reeve Carney, has been cast in the lead role
of Peter Parker and his webby alter-ego, Spider-Man. Referring to the Yankees’
recent win, Cohl said they were “a team that spent
millions of dollars to win a championship. Sometimes it takes a lot of money to
build a championship team, and that’s what we’re doing.” There’s still a long
way to go in this dramatic world series.
.. TWAIN!:
It’s Mark Twain Week at the California Center for the Arts,
November 14-21. Events will be held at various locations throughout
… You Ain’t
Chopped Liver: Tickets are now on sale for The 13th Annual Patté Awards for Theater Excellence, a
repeatedly sold-out community celebration that honors the Best of the Best of
local stage talent. The electrifying evening includes a sit-down dinner and
high-octane musical numbers from local theater productions. The event will be
televised on Channel 4 San Diego. If you’re a theatergoer or a theaterlover,
you won’t want to miss it. Monday, January 18, 2010. Tickets are at
www.thepattefoundation.org.
… Much
PAT’S PICKS: BEST
BETS
“Parade” – searing, stirring musical
about an ugly page in American history; marvelous production
Mark
Taper Forum,
“
Diversionary
Theatre, through 11/22
Read
Review here:
http://www.sdnn.com/sandiego/2009-11-04/things-to-do/theater-things-to-do/pat-launer-theater-things-to-do-things-to-do/bent-still-packs-a-wallop
“Dog
Act” – inventive, amusing, linguistically brilliant and magnificently
performed
Moxie
Theatre, through 11/22
Read Review here: http://www.sdnn.com/sandiego/2009-10-21/things-to-do/pat-launer-on-san-diego-theater-lion-king-joyful-folly
“A Joyful Noise” – joyful, indeed!
outstanding presentation of a historical drama
Lamb’s
Players Theatre, through 11/22
Read
Review here: http://www.sdnn.com/sandiego/2009-10-21/things-to-do/pat-launer-on-san-diego-theater-lion-king-joyful-folly
“Talley’s Folly” – lovely performances
of a sweet, gentle, touching late-life romance
North
Coast Repertory Theatre, EXTENDED through 11/14
Read
Review here: http://www.sdnn.com/sandiego/2009-10-21/things-to-do/pat-launer-on-san-diego-theater-lion-king-joyful-folly
“Godspell” – energetic, inspiring
Lamb’s
Players Theatre at the Horton Grand Theatre, through 11/22
Read
Review here: http://www.sdnn.com/sandiego/2009-07-22/things-to-do/pat-launer-on-san-diego-theater-42nd-st-twist
Pat Launer is the
SDNN theater critic.
To read any of
her prior reviews, type ‘Pat Launer’ into the SDNN Search box.