[NEohioPAL]Folino plus Green equals magic

[mark benson]

This past weekend, I saw a production of Pride and Prejudice at the Lakeland 
Theatre in Kurtland.  Honestly, this was a show that I would have passed up 
if I wouldn't have heard through the theatrical grapevine that Dan Folino 
was in it.  I don't think that I'm alone when I say that Mr. Folino has done 
some amazing and ground breaking work in this city, but what really drew me 
to this particular production was that it was a straight show.  No singing.  
And then I heard that the leading lady was played by Natalie Green (who 
played Belle to Dan's Beast at The Beck last December).  I was more curious 
than hopeful when I went to the theatre that night.  I was in for a 
surprise.

I have seen many boring plays throughout the years.  And Pride and Prejudice 
has the capability of being just that.  Long and boring.  However, this 
particular production happened to luck out.  Director Martin Freidman took a 
chance that Folino and Green could actually hold their own without having to 
sing.  He was right in taking that chance, and I thank him.

Like I said in my header, Folino plus Green equals magic.  I have NEVER seen 
two performers play so easily against each other.  I thought Beauty and the 
Beast was fantastic, but not because of the special effects, or make up, or 
dancing.  I loved that production because behind all the "production", there 
was a very convincing couple that was falling in love with each other, 
regardless of who or what they were.  The magic that Folino and Green 
created on that stage was worthy of an award.  They convinced me (through 
all of the fluff that is Disney) that they truly had fallen in love with 
each other.  I'll admit it...I cried...all three times.

Well folks, even without the singing, these two gems pulled it off again in 
a "potential snoozer" of a play.  Green, once again, is absolutely stunning 
to watch.  She carries the show on her shoulders in a casual effortlessness 
that makes you believe that she really is telling it as it happens.  
Everything about this young starlet is captivating.  It's near impossible to 
take your eyes off of her, even when she isn't the focus of the scene.  
Folino holds that same casual (and unconventional) command in his scenes. 
When the two of them share the stage together, the intensity is so 
remarkably high, not just because of what they are saying, but because you 
don't know who to watch.

The huge payoffs, of course, are at the end of both acts.  Of course, there 
is the big end of the show scene, which is incredibly hard to watch, because 
all you want is for Folino and Green to kiss, but they are staged apart from 
each other until the VERY last moment possible (aggravating, but effective.  
Thank you Mr. Director).  And of course, they do kiss, and you feel warm 
inside, and you cry.  But, the real peak of the show...the scene that 
rendered this theatre goer silent for all of intermission, came at the end 
of act one.  One of the finest ten minutes of theatre I have expririenced in 
my life.  Folino's delivery couldn't be any more realistic and convincing, 
and Green's reactions are so believable, you almost feel like you're 
intruding...an unwelcome fly on the wall.

If you are a Folino/Green fan, you should absolutely see this production.  
They are a perfect match.   It's just so unfortunate to see such an amazing 
piece of theatre go unrecognized, and more, to see what these two are truly 
capable of go unnoticed.

M. Benson

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