[NEohioPAL]Berko reviews: PLAID TIDINGS (cph) & JEFFREY (beck)

[Roy Berko]

‘PLAID TIDINGS ‘AT CPH, ‘JEFFREY’ AT BECK

Roy Berko

(Member, American Theatre Critics Association)

--THE TIMES NEWSPAPERS--

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


‘PLAID TIDINGS’ HAPPILY RINGS IN THE HOLIDAY AT CPH

It’s that time of year again.   Entertainment centers
are raising their curtains on ‘A CHRISTMAS CAROL,’
‘THE NUTCRACKER’ and a lot of other holiday treats. 
Why should the Cleveland Play House be different?  

Cleveland audiences have had a long time love-affair
with the Plaid offerings.   ‘FOREVER PLAID,’ this
show’s predecessor, re-opened the Allen Theatre in
Play House Square.  ‘PLAIN\D TIDINGS’ has been
performed two other times in the country, but it has
been re-written for the CPH presentation and is being
called a "near premiere performance" 

Just before the opening night performance, CPH
Artistic Director Peter Hackett, in a delightful
speech, informed the audience that Randy Rineck, one
of the performers, had laryngitis and was being
replaced by the show’s Associate Director Robert
Randle.  The audience, in a jovial mood (the gala
party before the show had "whetted" many throats) just
took it all in.  The substitution mattered little as
the show went on with nary a hitch.

Complete with boy-group gestures of the 50s, the
quartet, mellowed-in with tributes to Rosemary
Clooney, the Ed Sullivan Show, and Perry Como.  They
used gimmicks galore to delight the audience.  Sing
alongs, audience participation, bell interludes, and
video clips all added to the fun.  

"Let It Snow" was a total delight.  The beat version
of "Twuz Duh Night Before Christmas" was met with
prolonged applause. A cleverly staged "Matilda,
Matilda" complete with Italian, Hawaiian, Spanish,
Irish and Jewish calypso was a show stopper.
You name the holiday song it was included, plus some. 


The cast, consisting of Jody Ashworth, Jonathan Brody,
Scott Fedderly and Robert Randle were very good. 
Fedderly, who has a fine voice, an electric stage
presence and can dance, was especially good.    

CAPSULE JUDGEMENT:   Some might say that ‘PLAID
TIDINGS,’ a musical review with a meager plot and
oft-done holiday songs, is not an appropriate offering
for a theatre which proposes to be "one of the
greatest theatres in America."  Well, BAH, HUMBUG!  If
you want to sit back, feel good, and escape from the
world’s problems...’PLAID TIDINGS’ is your thing!

Tickets for ‘PLAID TIDINGS’, which range in price from
$40 to $47.50 may be obtained by calling 216-795-7000
or visiting www.clevelandplayhouse.com.  Those under
25 can obtain tickets for $12 with proper
identification.


"JEFFREY" AGONIZES AT BECK

The theatre has been an important vehicle in spreading
the word about needed social changes.   The women’s
movement and African Americans both have used the
stage to show the necessity for alterating attitudes
towards their groups.  

The emerging gay movement has also taken on the
theatrical vehicle to shout for equal rights.   When
gay message plays are well-focused and honed they
serve the movement well.  Such shows as ‘ANGELS IN
AMERICA,’ ‘BOYS IN THE BAND,’ ‘LA CAGES AUX FOLLES,’
‘TAKE ME OUT’  and ‘THE GENE POOL’ have investigated
religious intolerance, homophobia, gays in sports,
AIDS, homosexual parenting, self guilt, and gay
marriage.  

Unfortunately, such plays as ‘THE PARTY,’ ‘MAKING
PORN,’ and ‘PUPPY DOG TALE’ center on only looking at
the sexual aspects of gay life, feeding into the
stereotype of gays as being solely carnal beings. 
Though it attempts to be a message play, ‘JEFFREY,’
now on stage at Beck Center’s Studio Theatre, fringes
on being one of the latter writings.  

Written by Paul Rudnick, author of the hysterically
funny ‘I HATE HAMLET,’ the plot centers on Jeffrey, a
young gay male who, in the 90s age of AIDS vows
eternal celibacy in the now dangerous world of sex and
relationships.  

The vehicle is billed as a "hysterical comedy." Though
there are laughs, this is more than a comedy, as the
author attempts to make this a message play.   In the
process, he creates audience confusion.  He takes a
serious subject and pushes it to such extremes that
the gimmickry often overpowers the message.  In one
scene, while agonizing over the death of his partner,
a character proposes, "We want no more prejudice, no
more disease." Rudnick then changes course when he
extends the speech with the phrase, "and no more
chintz." He takes away the power of the message by
adding the "fey" stereotype.   In another scene he
states, "life is radio active" and goes on seriously
to show the audience the effects of AIDS.  No comedy
here.

 The play covers every aspect of gay-oriented
subjects...physical obsession; evangelism; illness;
gay bashing; gay stereotypes of the love of opera,
theatre, decorating, clothing; 12-step programs;
parental attitudes; and sexual acting out.  Also
thrown in is Mother Teresa, who wanders in and out of
scenes.

This is not to say the play is bad.  It will appeal to
a "certain" audience.  It did win the Obie Award and
the Outer Critics’ Circle Award.  This
notwithstanding, the play is superficial and stresses
the sexual aspect so that even the "happy ending"
allows the lead character to give into his sexual
desires.  It’s as if sex conquers all.  Is that really
what Rudnick wants us to believe?

Director Brian Zoldessy works some of the laugh angles
well.  The emotional content is left somewhat
unattended. 

As he did at Actors’ Summit when he portrayed Alan in
‘PICNIC,’ Scott Esposito proves he is one of the best
of the area’s young new crop of actors.  He textures
the role of Jeffrey with humor and drama.   His is a
very fine performance.  

Mark Cipro adds the right levels of exaggerated humor
and pathos as Sterling, the aging interior decorator
who loses his young lover to AIDS.  Molly McGinnis is
fine as she covers all the women’s roles including
portraying an evangelist, a sexoholic and Mother
Teresa.  Some of the other cast members do not fare as
well as they are placed in performing stereotypes
which become unbelievable.

 The set adds to the plays consistent inconsistence. 
Don McBride’s set is a visual delight. However, it, as
the play and production, creates confusion.   The
comic book intense colors and drawings of the New York
skyline give a feeling of glee that overshadows the
serious message of the play. 

Capsule judgement: ‘JEFFREY,’ due to its subject
matter, language, production qualities and writing
style is not for everyone.  Audience members seemed
divided on their appreciation.  About one-quarter of
the house left at intermission, others applauded with
delight, if for no other reason, than having seen
handsome Scott Esposito in nothing but his
tighty-whities.

‘JEFFREY’ runs through December 14 at the Beck Center
for the Arts.  For tickets, call 216-521-2540 or go on
line to www.beckcenter.org.


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