[NEohioPAL]Review of: EACH DAY DIES WITH SLEEP at convergence

[Roy Berko]

THE QUESTION AT CONVERGENCE-CONTINUUM:   "WHAT’S THIS
ALL ABOUT?

Roy Berko

(Member, American Theatre Critics Association)

--THE TIMES NEWSPAPERS--

Lorain County Times--Westlaker Times--Lakewood News
Times--Olmsted-Fairview Times	


As the patrons filed into the lobby during the
intermission at convergence-continuum Theatre’s
production of Jose Rivera’s ‘EACH DAY DIES WITH SLEEP’
a male voice boomed out, "Does anyone know what this
is all about?" A woman said, "Beats me." Another said,
"It’s about I, I, I, want, want, want."  Most people
just shook their heads.  A group of four, who were
contemplating leaving, were stopped by one of their
number who said, "The actors are working hard, we owe
it to them to go back in."

Rivera, the play’s author, was born in Puerto Rico. 
He recounts that when he was a boy, he loved to sit on
his mother's knee and listen to stories of his Puerto
Rican ancestors. There were chronicles of inflamed
passions and family betrayals, of lovers crossed and
disasters scarcely averted.   He once said, "The
stories were just outrageous. There were elements of
the fantastical, of the dream, and these things become
interchangeable."

This lack of a divide between the real world and the
realm of dreams and nightmares, fantasy and folklore
are at the heart of his plays.  Its been called "mad
realism."

‘EACH DAY DIES WITH SLEEP’ was written in 1990...its
subject is supposedly the primitive human struggle
between animal instincts and civilized order.   A
London reviewer capsulized the play by stating, "its
conception of the human condition as a psychic
battleground--lively, funny, erotic, tragic--has a
rare force."   That may well be, but judging by the
audience who saw the convergence-continuum production,
the intent and purpose of the playwright was not
clear. 

The production is generally well performed.  Lara
Mielcarek is outstanding as Nelly, the psychologically
deprived daughter.  She matures from animal to a
productive woman before our eyes.  Hers is a focused
portrayal, but the script doesn’t tell us how she
develops the abilities to mature in the way she does. 
 Does just getting away from her monster of a father
bring miraculous healing?  In the world of fantasy,
maybe, but psychologist would say, "no." 

As the role requires, Geoff Hoffman is attractive, and
but he fails to give texture to Johnny, Nelly’s
ego-centered husband.  At times his lines are flat and
sometimes his motivations are unclear.   This could
have been the fault of the script which rarely gives
him the motivations for the build-up needed.  

Clyde Simon is properly offensive as the father.  But,
again, the impetus for his character’s actions are not
clear.  Why is he the person he is?  He says to his
daughter, "There is no escaping my house.  It is
always with you." He is right, but why was the house
the way it was?  The author gives us no real clues. 
Animal instincts?  Really?

Director Joshua Spencer frustrates at least part of
the audience by placing the father’s wheel chair in
the corner of the L-shaped stage.  This placement
blocks the view of at least one-third of the viewers
from seeing the action.  He also needed to temper the
sound effects which often drowned out the dialogue.

There are a group of theatre-goers who like to attend
mind-bending theatrical productions.  Though a trend
in the late 60s and 70s, that audience segment has
waned.  If their play selections to date are any
indication, Clyde Simon, convergence continuum’s
Artistic Director and Brian Breth, its Executive
Director, have decided to appeal to that audience. 
Theirs is a brave task.  They are providing the type
of theatre for that fringe group, but they must
realize that plays like ‘EACH DAY DIES WITH SLEEP’ may
not get the positive word of mouth needed to
financially sustain their venue.   Should they do the
likes of Neil Simon.  Absolutely not, but there are
plays that will appeal to a broader audience and still
advance the art form.

CAPSULE JUDGEMENT: Rivera may be a word master, but he
has created in ‘EACH DAY DIES WITH SLEEP’ characters
we care little about.  He enfolds them in a story with
no focus.  His words lack clarity and focus. 
Therefore, we care little about the play.

‘EACH DAY DIES WITH SLEEP’ runs at 8 pm Thursdays,
Fridays and Saturdays through August 16 at
convergence-continuum’s artistic home, The Liminis, at
2438 Scranton Rd. in Cleveland’s Tremont neighborhood.
 Tickets are $12 general admission and $9 for students
and seniors. For information and reservations call
216-687-0074. Seating for this production will be
limited to 45.


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