[NEohioPAL]Berko REVIEW: DINNER PARTY/CLEVEPLAYHSE

[Roy Berko]

SCRIPT AND DIRECTING MISS THE MARK AT CLEVELAND PLAY
HOUSE

Roy Berko

(Member, American Theatre Critics Association)

--THE TIMES NEWSPAPERS--

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


Neil Simon is the undisputed master of modern American
theatrical comedy.  His thirty-one plays have covered
a dysfunctional duo living together (‘THE ODD
COUPLE’), the plight of newlyweds (‘BAREFOOT IN THE
PARK’) and lots of self examination plays including
‘BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS’ ‘BILOXI BLUES,’ ‘BROADWAY
BOUND,’ and ‘LOST IN YONKERS.’ 

Simon is at his best when he adds up a bunch of funny
one-liners into a delightful set of plausible
circumstances.  Think ‘THE STAR-SPANGLED GIRL,’ ‘PLAZA
SUITE,’ and ‘LAST OF THE RED HOT LOVERS.’ He’s at his
worst when he attempts to philosophize.  Think ‘GOD'S
FAVORITE,’ ‘JAKE'S WOMEN’ AND ‘PROPOSALS.’ (You’ve
probably never heard of the plays as they were
generally panned by the critics and avoided by
audiences.)

Unfortunately, ‘THE DINNER PARTY,’ now on stage at the
Cleveland Play House, falls into Simon’s “message
plays” list.    Simon should be given credit for
trying to break his traditional mode and write a play
very different from anything he had done before. 
Simon has achieved his goal, but it doesn’t translate
into success.   The script is not a farce, a broad
comedy, or a drama with a few laughs.   What it
actually is is anyone’s guess. What it emphatically is
not is a total entertaining evening at the theatre.

The show opened to negative reviews in New York.  It
ran because of a strong presale based on Simon’s
reputation plus a cast that included Henry Winkler and
the late-John Ritter. 

The plot of ‘THE DINNER PARTY"’is as  simple as some
of its lines.  Gabrielle invites Andre, her
ex-husband, with whom she's still in love, and two
other couples who used to be married to each other, to
a dinner party at a posh Parisian restaurant.  Several
funny things happen on the way to discovering why she
planned the party and how her Machiavellian plan is
meant to affect the others.  The premise is broad, the
effect is shallow.

Adding to the script’s problems is Peter Hackett’s
laborious directing, which adds at least half-an-hour
to the intermissionless play.  

Hacket, who will soon be leaving his position as
Artistic Director of CPH, seems to have no clue as how
to balance the comedy aspects with the dramatic
message.   The pacing of the show is torturous.  The
characters generally display little real emotional
passion, laugh lines aren’t keyed, the actors often
seem lost.  As someone sitting behind me said, “When
is this thing going to end?”   Unfortunately, this
same message must be placed on Hackett’s well-meaning,
but misdirected tenure at the CPH.   It can only be
hoped that his strong academic talents will fit much
better into a university setting where his
questionable play selections and administative
decisions won’t be a factor.  He is wished much good
luck in what hopefully will be a better setting for
his abilities.

The cast of the production at times seems as clueless
as the script.  Kevin Hogan, as a frustrated writer,
walks through his part, often saying funny lines that
become unfunny.  He seems some place else, not
involved in the action.  Mary Gen Fjelstad, his stage
wife, doesn’t delve into her character and presents
flat lines with little emotional variance.   David
Brummel, as the aloof Andre, and Cynthia Darlow as the
evening’s plotter, seem to be feigning feelings.  On
the other hand Steve McCue, as a nerdy artist in a
rented tux and Derdriu Ring, his ex-wife, milk their
roles to high levels of humor and pathos.  Too bad the
whole production didn’t reach McCue and Ring’s level.

The highlight of the evening is scenic designer Vicki
Smith’s magnificent high-ceilinged formal French
restaurant dining room.

CAPSULE JUDGEMENT: With a weak script, inept directing
and generally shallow acting, ‘THE DINNER PARTY’ is a
long sit not worth the effort.

For tickets to ‘THE DINNER PARTY,’ which range from
$32 to $40, with “under 25 “ tickets at $12, call
216-795-7000 or go on-line to www.clevelandplayhouse.com.

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