Mamet 'Speed-the-Plow"

Mad Men vibe and fast paced talk compels the audience and presents a 'Must See' production at the New Rep. With Mamet, there are expectations and they were met and then some in Watertown.

Robert Pemberton as "Bobby" with his exceptional accent not to be under-estimated when most of Hollywood only pretends to be from a particular venue. Pemberton convinces us and he readily draws us in to his point of view. Pemberton shines in this role.

The play between him and Gabriel Kuttner exceptional. Kuttner is believable as Charlie Fox and as 'everyman' who is loyal and 'true blue' to the powers that run the show and the 'friends' that tantalize and promise a leg up.

Kuttner reflects that man and humanity's attempts to move ahead at any cost in his role as Fox. He understands the game plan and reminds the audience and more crucially his pal, Bobby Gould.

To take the top off, the play has a fight scene. The sudden burst of violence and blood presents another level of Mamet at his best. Director Robert Walsh deserves kudos for the entire production. Walsh transitions the scenes and directs the actors to lead us through the phases of it all; no small feat with this play.

The pivotal conflict is dramatized effectively; both sweetly and purposefully by Aimee Doherty. Her role as Karen is the rub and she moves as an ingenue and a femme fatale. Who knew Karen (Doherty) would have this effect? Doherty plays her hand close and the audience appreciates how she develops this part.

The Actors, the action, the play - exceptional!

Reviewed - J.K. Cosmos - New Rep Reviewer

2.5 Minute Ride - Review for New Rep Theater

Lisa Kron has a hit featuring Adrianne Krstansky. Kron keeps the pace and engages the audience without any dead space. The initial scene may have been perplexing, as Lisa, played by Krstansky, takes us on the journey and the ride, uses a pointer on a blank screen. The sound of the clicking slides, the red dot on a blank screen, all very effective. It gave the audience pause and allowed them to fill in the blank space, the white space, to create the scene based on the language of the production, not the visuals. It reminded me of art appreciation classes as an undergrad and the use of the white space, rather than color on the screen lead to images and use of my imagination. Nicely done.

Krstansky gave an energetic and well-paced performance with humor and some ironic twists. She evoked emotion and illicited a recognition in us and an empathy that crosses ethnic lines. The traditions and cultural descriptions in the dialogue transcend the Jewish experience, as many peoples identify with much of the play.

The acting was up close and personal; there is no other way to say it. The outlook despite tragedies in life, remains optimistic and positive. Who knew? I didn't expect the joi de vivre that came across despite some horrific recollections in the piece.

One short story of a German boy, who chose not to join the war and not to join the Nazi Party and his courage to be his own person resonated for me and was one of the thesis components of the play. Lisa's father feeling lucky to be Jewish, so as not to have to make a decision to choose a Nazi uniform or to decline; very poignant.

Krstansky stayed in character and moved us through the events of her life; of Lisa's life. It was fabulous!

Connections, cycles..

Started out talking about social justice with 25 plus students at 7 AM in the city & it was enlightening...issues about abuse of power, fairness and value of education, of particular jobs..this next generation gives pause in their ideals, and their aspirations to make things better...and, yes, it does sound familiar. The familiarity of 1968, 1969 and the days of lazy haze and very grandiose ideas.

Reading, Eric Erikson, Gandhi..non-violent resistence, social justice again...the theme, the thread of an idea all day..

Readings by Rebecca Brown and the nostalgia, the energy of the day, the lectures, the readings and the discussion with very young students resonates in Rebecca's work, her words and her pull on dreams gone by....poignant!

Exhausting, bone-weary but very glad for the day, the discussions, the edgy-ness of the next generation, the ones that I am privileged to exchange ideas with and share my perceptions. Perpceptions of my own youth, and their youth and the connections and cycles....they are all good.

Mr Roberts - Times Gone By

My expectations were not high for this WW II production, until noticing the actors in the play, actors who would surely carry the day and the move the production forward with energy & virve.
The play did not energize. The 'set up' was too long and dragged. The play was so dated, which can be a strength for any creative piece. For this one, it was simplistic and simple-minded, much like the plot. The plot didn't move along nor did it engage the audience. There was no character development. Giving the benefit of the doubt, I cannot recommend this one and am trying to find a redeeming quality.
The setting did reflect the place, however, the actors footsteps echoed and was so loud as to drown out dialogue.
Owen Doyle is one of the actors I had hoped would pull this one up & succeed. Owen is a gifted performer and his work in Lapin Agile at the New Rep was extraordinary. Similar kudos to Ross MacDonald, a most phenomenal performance in Exits & Entrances & together with Curt Klump, exellent work in The Lieutenenat of Insishmore.
The lead for Mr. Roberts, Thomas Piper, has solid credentials and this reviewer has not seen prior to this role. I look forward to seeing the cast in other local performances. Unfortunately, they were unable to pull this one off successfully.

US Senator Ted Kennedy - 1932 - 2009

Ted Kennedy, an inspiration & visionary, a person of means, who viewed public service as meaningful for the betterment of society. Peace

Community..

of Writers, people of like-mind. A gift and a chance to re-energize. Having just been a part of such a community, my writing and commitment to get the words on paper has been re-booted, again.

What does writing and sharing thoughts mean to me. Everything! Having left a lucrative law practice to follow my desire to write and to have ideas out in the world, this is an attempt to do it well. This is the push to move it forward. This is the opportunity to share the experiences, to give the 'word' to others, to move it forward...nice & easy or with expletives. Either way, I'm here & you're here. Let's commit to work toward the better and to be enlightened about what that is. Let's find joy and love!
Peace...love & light! jk

Epitaphio

April 17, 1971 – Epitaphio – Cambridge, Massachusetts
Deep blue robes with dark folds,
Dark black hair—curling round his neck.
Penetrating blue eyes—absorbing all,
Alone—the only person in focus
As all the masses fade out in a blur.
The heavy Christ-tomb on his broad back,
His hunched shoulders bearing His burden,
The others hardly grasping on, as
He leads them forward-progressing onward.
The ceremony, gold-robes-candles glowing-
Ornaments – incense-jewels-chanting-
trivia!

Stepping off the curb, with nine young girls
Nearby-sirens sounded-
Trucks screeched by- as I held on to
Three crying, frightened children-
Girls in white-angels-pure and mild and lonely
Crying children….
My candle out- and up to look and see with
Tears in my eyes his shoulders
Bearing the entire tomb of Christ, as
It tipped- and surely Christ held on
With one gentle nudge – as the masses
Swelled and children cried and the
Engines roared—unnoticed he balanced
The tomb – directed the youth and
The ceremonies continued with the chanting
Of the dignitaries; the bishop and priest –
How everyone repeats them –
He does – I do, too, for Him.