[NEohioPAL]BERKO REVIEW: THE ROSE TATTOO (Ensemble Theatre); previews

[Roy Berko]

Rose fades at Ensemble!; previews of upcoming events

Roy Berko

(Member, American Theatre Critics Association)

--THE TIMES NEWSPAPERS--

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

Many theatres like to stretch themselves by selecting
plays that challenge their directors, casts and
audiences.  Unfortunately, in some cases, the choices
are unwise as the venue just isn’t up to the task. 
This is definitely the case with Ensemble and their
present production, ‘THE ROSE TATTOO.’

The Tennessee Williams’ play which, as with many of
his epics, is set in the South, opened in New York in
1951 to generally favorable reviews. 

The plot, which spans a period of three years, tells
the story of an Italian American widow in Louisiana
who has allowed herself to withdraw from the world
after her husband's death. 

The script, not considered to be the quality of
Williams’ ‘STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE’ or ‘GLASS
MENAGERIE,’ continues his theme of women who find
themselves in societies that they don’t understand and
which don’t understand them.  The writing follows the
Greek concept of virility, as exemplified by the God
Dionysus, who is also the god of worship.  Both of
these themes are significant threads in the story
line.

This is a difficult script to stage.  It requires a
high level of acting skill and directing knowledge to
make it meaningful and truthful.

Ensemble’s production, under the direction of Licia
Colombi fails on all levels.  The concept is weak, the
stage movements chaotic, the acting shallow, the
accents inconsistent, the costumes poor (how difficult
is it to find a real sailor suit and shoes?), the set
poorly conceived, and many of the props unrealistic. 

CAPSULE JUDGEMENT:   Ensemble has to realize its
limits.  ‘THE ROSE TATTOO’ is a script well beyond
their directing, performance and technical abilities. 

‘THE ROSE TATTOO’ continues through April 1 at
Ensemble, which is staging its plays at the Cleveland
Play House.  For information call 216-321-2930.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Groundworks Dance is holding a fund-raiser at the
House of Blues at 11:15 a.m. on April 15.  There will
be a Gospel brunch, featuring the Prayer Warriors, and
a special performance by the company.   For
information call 216-692-3180.

Noel Coward’s comedy ‘HAY FEVER’ (now running) and one
of Shakespeare’s last plays,  ‘THE TEMPEST,’ (opening
night...March 31) run in repertory through April 21. 
Special student performances are being offered along
with workshops for teachers.  For information call
216-241-6000 

Actors’ Summit presents ‘POLISH JOKE,’ a comedy about
ethnic identity and the American search for roots,
from March 22 through April 15.  For information
and/or tickets call 330-342-0800.

Cesear’s Forum stages ‘THE UNEXPECTED MAN, Yasmina
Reza’s play about two strangers who meet on a train. 
It concerns desire and self-invention.  It will be
produced at Kennedy’s Down Under from May 11 through
June 10.  For tickets call 216-241-6000.




Roy Berko's blog, which contains theatre and dance reviews from 2002 through 2007, as well as his consulting and publications information, can be found at http://royberko.info
      
Roy's theatre and dance reviews appear regularly on NeOHIOpal, an on-line source.   To subscribe to this free service via the World Wide Web, visit http://lists.fredsternfeld.com/mailman/listinfo/neohiopal.  His reviews also appear on www.coolcleveland.com


 
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