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John Garcia's THE COLUMN
August 18, 2001
(Sorry about the
formating, this was sent to me through e-mail)
*** John Garcia's THE COLUMN ***
www.talkinbroadway.com
August 18, 2001
** READ BY OVER 1,180 SUBSCRIBERS NATIONWIDE! **
DON'T DRINK THE WATER!-Comedy by Woody Allen
OnStage in Bedford
REVIEWED-Friday, August 17,2001 performance
Directed and Set Designed by Beth Bontley and Leah Carithers-Jeffers
Produced by Barbara Speares
Light/Sound Design by Brent Arnold
Costume Design by Glenda Bradley & Leah Carithers-Jeffers
Stage Management by Angela Waddill
*CAST*
FATHER DROBNEY...................Warren Blackstone
AMBASSADOR MAGEE.................Jim Garrity
KILROY...........................Brian Keith Rhodes
AXEL MAGEE.......................Chad Gibson
MARION HOLLANDER.................Laura G. Wilcox
WALTER HOLLANDER.................Paul Curfman
SUSAN HOLLANDER..................Karina Yzobel Brewington
ARMED GUARD/COUNTESS BORDONI.....Debbie Dacus
KROJACK..........................Daniel Schneider
BURNS............................Steve Sheridan
CHEF/KASNAR......................Justin McKean
SULTAN OF BASHIR.................Freddy Verver
SULTAN'S FIRST WIFE..............Kelly Vanderberg
The Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex is surrounded by a large assortment of
theatre companies. You have those with large houses and budgets, while
others are smaller in both money and actual space. But you have to
respect these smaller companies that try to present theatre to their respective
communities and hopefully for all metroplex theatergoers to come and enjoy the fruits of
their hard work and labor.
For example, OnStage in Bedford, a small theatre company nestled right
on the grounds of the Bedford Boys Ranch. Now, inside this stone structure is an intimate
theatre space that is currently presenting Woody Allen's DON'T DRINK THE WATER.
Allen's script still retains some of his comic bite and wit, but it also does at times
expose its cobwebs of dated jokes and one liners that have just lost its punch.
But this did not stop directors Beth Bontley and Leah Carithers-Jeffers
and their cast from still providing an evening of laughs.
These two women directors not only directed the piece, but also designed
the ornate set, which is a mid 1960's American Embassy somewhere behind the iron curtain.
The set is brown wood paneling and cream colored back walls, with charming columns in the
center. They are greatly assisted by Set Decorator Kevin McKinnon, who adorned the set
with red, white, and blue bunting, oil paintings, books, flower arrangements, and even a
portrait of President Lyndon B. Johnson!
Bontley & Jeffers give their actors freedom to really explore their
roles and to add their own personal levels of comedy, and for the most part, this
works amazingly well.
These two directors have a tiny stage to create movement and action, but
these wise directors designed a set with an upper level, a small staircase,
not counting the doors on either side, thus this gave them the levels for
which the actors could use to their advantage. Kudos to these two on
keeping the physical action in constant motion, as one actor exits,
another actor comes right in. Pace for the most part does sail at decent speed, but at
times the pace does lag.
Finally, I think the choices of scene change music that these two
directors used were perfect choices! The music was great comment on what just happened on
stage, or what was about to happen. From the Beatles to the "Get Smart"
theme, it was a great director's choice of music.
Applause must also go to Light and Sound Designer Brent Arnold. His use of various sounds
to create, for example- mobs outside the embassy, a bomb exploding were great touches. As
for his lighting, I really enjoyed his creation of a search light that was hunting for the
spies, or the
romantic blue hues for evening that served as excellent mood enhancers for the action that
was being performed on the stage.
The majority of the cast is quite enjoyable, but a couple of the
performances need to match the comedy pace and timing of their fellow
thespians.
The art of comedy has various levels. Examples include over the top,
farce, or realistic comedy among others. In ensemble comedy you need to keep one common
theme flowing throughout the piece, or some actors will look out of sync to the rest
of the performers, alas, this is what unfolds at times in this production.
Heading the Cast is Chad Gibson as "Axel Magee", the son of a famous
Ambassador, alas "Axel" is a major klutz and a problem to his father.
Gibson
possesses a solid stage presence and perfect comic timing for the role.
Gibson keeps his commitment to the character throughout the evening,
never
letting his energy or character disappear from his face or physical
actions.
Gibson has really wonderful facial expressions that are both natural and
entertaining. It must also be said that Gibson has really strong
chemistry
with each performer on stage, this gives not only his performance
excellent
life and energy, but it also flows to his fellow cast members. Gibson
finally has some hysterical physical comedy to display his talents, his
scene of seducing the girl he has a crush on is a major comedy highlight
of
the evening. Gibson truly is the star of the evening, and deserves it!
On Gibson's staff is "Kilroy" (Brian Keith Rhodes), who is Mr. "by the
rules" and despises this punk kid (Axel) for riding on the coattails of
his
father's success. Then you have "Burns" (Steve Sheridan), a spastic
assistant, "Chef" (Justin McKean), a master in the kitchen who refuses
anyone to enter his domain.
Also in the embassy is a priest who is a refugee who has been living
there
for years-"Father Drobney" (Warren Blackstone). "Father" has passed
the
time
by teaching himself magic tricks, but not succeeding very well.
Rhodes delivers the right dose of "uptight pencil pusher/ass-kisser"
overtones that fit his character's motives quite well. Rhodes has a
downright hilarious comic scene in act two. After been knocked on the
head
by a rock thrown into the window by an anger mobster, Rhodes thinks he
is,
not one, but both Wright brothers (of aviation fame), and he proceeds to
have an argument between both brothers-Rhodes is very funny in that
scene
and justly earns the applause that followed his exit of this scene.
Sheridan was a ball of energy! This actor had me guffawing out loud each
time he stepped on the stage. Sheridan used his body, face, and voice in
creating a hysterical performance. Sheridan took a minor role that
really is
just "set dressing", and turned it into a scene stealing character, he
was
simply a riot and had me laughing constantly!
This comedy takes place behind the iron curtain, thus you need actors
that
can bring forth strong and believable dialects and accents of Mother
Russia.
Sadly, the actors with these (and others as well) accents did not
achieve
success.
Blackstone, while enjoyable as "Father Drobney" and his ill fated magic
tricks, had pace problems throughout the evening. But he also had an
accent
that at times was not authentic and its origin was lost on me.
Daniel Schneider as the russian "Krojack" was also weighed down by an
accent
that went from Slavic to German, or the accent just disappeared from his
voice altogether. Schneider did give "Krojack" a solid coat of "cold
spy" to
his performance, but his troublesome accent hurt his characterization.
This embassy is left in the hands of Alex by his father, "Ambassador
Magee"-played nicely by Jim Garrity. But Alex's calm world is turned
upside
down when a family-the Hollanders from New Jersey,who by the way are in
Europe on vacation-are accused by Krojack as being american spies.
The Hollanders are Walter (Paul Curfman), who back in Jersey co-owns a
catering business that specializes in weddings. There's his wife,
"Marion"
(Laura G. Wilcox), and their daughter "Susan" (Karina Yzobel
Brewington),
who is to be married once they get back to New Jersey.
Curfman, also has problems with his accent of choice as well. He uses an
accent as being a native of New Jersey. But Curfman's accent is just not
believable, and for some odd reason, the accent almost disappears
totally in
act two. Curfman also delivers his lines in a very distinct sing song
fashion that causes the jokes to miss their marks. Curfman pushes too
hard
at times for the comedy, forcing the punchline to become over the top to
get
the laughs. But when he lets them fall naturally, he does get the laughs
that the joke is supposed to achieve from the audience. So when Curfman
does
this, he is enjoyable to watch. When Curfman allows his face to react
naturally to the actions or situations that unfold in front him, it is
funny, he needs to do this much more throughout his characterization and
performance.
Some of the physical comedy moments that Curfman has are too big, thus
they
need work in getting on a more realistic level that they are intended to
be.
Ms. Wilcox's performance hits the bull's-eye perfectly throughout the
evening as Curfman's wife. Wilcox's Jersey accent sounds natural & very
believable. But Wilcox gives her comedy a sort of "top of my head"
approach,
as though "Mrs. Hollander" has no idea that she is saying something
funny-and that's what makes Wilcox's performance stand out. The role
could
have easily become irriating and one tone, but Wilcox gives her
character
various levels of volume and comic pizzazz that works beautifully for
her.
She is truly a delight in this production.
Brewington is assigned a role that sadly is just one of those typical
"damsels in distress" that seep into so many comedies-the love interest
role. Brewington does achieve success though in creating a pleasant
character that you do care for as the evening progresses.
Rounding the cast in entertaining performances include Justin McKean as
the
"Chef" and Freddy Verver as the "Sultan of Bashir".
Even with some of its problems, OnStage's production of DON'T DRINK THE
WATER is very entertaining with its wild cast of hilarious performances
and
excellent direction, that it does deserve your attendance, and I promise
you, you will laugh!
RATING: B+
DON'T DRINK THE WATER runs through August 25. For tickets and info, call
817-354-6444. |
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