[NEohioPAL]Berko review: UNCLE TOM'S CABIN (CPT)/VOTE FOR ISSUE 31

[Roy Berko]

‘UNCLE TOM’S CABIN’ IN PROVOCATIVE PRODUCTION AT CPT

Roy Berko

(Member, American Theatre Critics Association)

--THE TIMES NEWSPAPERS--

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

Many plays and books have evoked controversy and
incited change.  Probably no volume outside of ‘The
Bible” has been more credited or damned for its
influence than Harriet Beecher Stowe’s “Uncle Tom’s
Cabin.”  Abraham Lincoln indicated that the book and
its author were among the most influential causes for
the Civil War.
  
2004 marks the 152nd Anniversary of the writing of
“Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” The volume still remains a
controversial work of art.  The play productions of
the novel also incite strong reactions.  In the 1852
“Boston Herald” review of the first production of
“UNCLE TOM'S CABIN,” a critic claimed: "This play [is]
nightly received at one of our most popular theatres
with repeated rounds of applause. It is a sad blunder
[that] our stage shall become the deliberate agent in
the cause of abolitionism." 

Harriet Beecher Stowe was raised as a Puritan. While a
child living in Cincinnati, which was just across the
river from the slave trade, Stowe observed firsthand
incidents which inspired her to write the now-famous
anti-slavery novel. Although many Northerners
considered slavery a political institution for which
they had no personal responsibility, the book become a
sensation and raised the conscience of numerous
Northerners while repulsing many Southerners

Cleveland Public Theatre, as part of its Black history
month program, has decided to produce a “different”
version of the play.  The vehicle, “UNCLE TOM'S CABIN
(OR THE PRESERVATION OF FAVOURED RACES IN THE STRUGGLE
FOR LIFE),” created by Floraine Kay and Randolph
Curtis Rand, breaks from the traditional storyline. 
It pushes every boundary and stereotype, probing the
sensationalism and notoriety of the original script.

The production also breaks from traditional staging
using nine actors to play nearly 40 roles.  The
staging pays no attention to sex or color, having the
actors switch both their gender and their race as they
act the roles in stylized performances.    

The staging, itself, may confuse and confound some
viewers, while exciting and pleasing others.  Many
will find the “plot” hard to follow.  There is just so
much happening on the stage that the viewer can easily
get overwhelmed. Director Randolph Curtis Rand needed
to ask whether his staging devices would help or
hinder the audience’s receipt of the message.  The
constant shuffling of chairs, posing and extended
acting devices often got in the way of clarity.  Maybe
a less chaotic approach would have been appropriate.  

The performances in the CPT production range from
excellent to shallow.   Nina Domingue and George Roth
make every one of their characters vivid and clear. 
These are very fine performances.  On the other hand,
Cornelius speaks words rather than meanings and is
unconvincing in many of his portrayals.  Betsy Hogg is
often difficult to hear and understand. 

CAPSULE JUDGEMENT: .   CPT’s ‘UNCLE TOM’S CABIN:  THE
PRESERVATION OF FAVORED RACES IN THE STRUGGLE FOR
LIFE’ will create a great deal of conversation
regarding both the script and production values.  It’s
an important function of the arts to present various
views.  CPT gets high marks for challenging its
audiences (and this critic) to think and react.
 
For tickets to  ‘UNCLE TOM’S CABIN:  THE PRESERVATION
OF FAVORED RACES IN THE STRUGGLE FOR LIFE,’ which
through February 28 at CPT’s Gordon Square Theatre,
6415 Detroit Avenue in Cleveland, call 216-631-2727 or
go to www.cptonline.org.


VOTE FOR ISSUE 31

For the first time in the history of this area there
is an opportunity for much needed funding for the
arts.  PLEASE vote for Issue 31.  The cost if little,
the profits are great.



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