THE BASICS: This is the revised, one act version of A. R. Gurney’s comedy/drama, as staged in NYC in 2008. The original two-act version was performed at the Studio Arena Theatre in 2002, with Betty Buckley in the lead. Buffalo veteran Barbara Link LaRou plays it this time around. Richard Lambert directs a cast of six for this New Phoenix production, which runs weekends through May 24th. The show runs approximately ninety minutes.
THUMBNAIL SKETCH: Amanda Monroe, a film and TV actress who has seen better days, decides on a bold career move—going back on the boards for a lead in Chekhov’sTHE CHERRY ORCHARD, which has been scheduled by the regional professional theater (read: Studio Arena Theatre) in her hometown of Buffalo, NY. Amanda’s homecoming, like that of Madame Ranyevskaya in the Chekhov play, is rueful, bittersweet. Her grandmother’s house, now truly dilapidated, is again for sale. And there are two surprise guests from the past—James, a former drama school colleague, and Dan, her high school flame—now a dentist and still carrying the torch for her. When the TV executives Amanda so disparages call urgently with an improved deal, she grabs her unpacked bag and heads back to LA—“just for a few days”.
THE PLAY, THE PLAYERS AND THE PRODUCTION: It’s interesting how little of Buffalo there actually is in this play, despite its name and hometown setting. Gurney and his protagonist Amanda are tellingly alike. Both are long-gone, and happy with rudimentary details and nostalgic, fairytale-like memories. Gurney basically namedrops Buffalo, uses it, to give his play a phony authenticity. When he does speak directly about the city, it’s referred to as place people leave, a place not to mention for fear that others will laugh at you. One can see why the piece would play better in NYC, LA, you name it, anywhere but here!
That said, Barbara LaRou does very well indeed in the meaty title role. She’s spot on as the Insecure Diva, even better when Gurney allows her to drop her guard, to discuss a few true, painful memories. Gary Earl Ross impresses as James, the old drama-school mate who has been a beneficiary of a recent trend toward “non-traditional casting”. Ross infuses the part with a nice blend of edge, dignity and warmth. Taking his (mis)cue from Gurney, Lambert has gone on to cast poor Willie Judson as Dan Robbin (nee Reuben), Amanda’s long-ago sweetheart, now a successful dentist in trendy (??) Eggertsville. This piece of casting is so egregious that it all but robs the production of credibility, and Gurney’s play of a lovely, rich vein of pathos. Happily, Judson doesn’t even try to play this Jewish character in the way that Gurney presumably had in mind. Brittany Kucala gets some laughs as the ASM, a nerdy grad student with a head full of textbook theater knowledge. Mary Moebius and Steven Borowski round out the cast as the beleaguered director and devoted young stage manager, respectively.
The actors get no help from either the set or the costumes, both of which scream “community theater”, not professional regional theater (my thanks to Deborah for this cogent observation). The play is streamlined in its one-act version, and director Lambert keeps things pretty tight. I wish I could say that I prefer the new, downbeat ending, which solidifies our impression of Amanda as spineless and unsympathetic. I don’t. Give me back the old, ambiguous ending, which at least kept the door open to positivity. Especially in this era of an upbeat, resurgent Buffalo!
IN SUM: Ms. LaRou is in her element, for sure, but I have big issues with the play and the production. This cuts down my rating to a paltry…
*HERD OF BUFFALO (Notes on the Rating System)
ONE BUFFALO: This means trouble. A dreadful play, a highly flawed production, or both. Unless there is some really compelling reason for you to attend (i.e. you are the parent of someone who is in it), give this show a wide berth.
TWO BUFFALOS: Passable, but no great shakes. Either the production is pretty far off base, or the play itself is problematic. Unless you are the sort of person who’s happy just going to the theater, you might look around for something else.
THREE BUFFALOS: I still have my issues, but this is a pretty darn good night at the theater. If you don’t go in with huge expectations, you will probably be pleased.
FOUR BUFFALOS: Both the production and the play are of high caliber. If the genre/content are up your alley, I would make a real effort to attend.
FIVE BUFFALOS: Truly superb–a rare rating. Comedies that leave you weak with laughter, dramas that really touch the heart. Provided that this is the kind of show you like, you’d be a fool to miss it!