[NEohioPAL] Berko review: HOLY GHOSTS (Beck Center)

[Roy Berko]

‘HOLY GHOSTS’—acting exceeds script

Roy Berko
(Member, American Theatre Critics Association)

--THE TIMES NEWSPAPERS--
Lorain County Times--Westlaker Times--Lakewood News
Times--Olmsted-Fairview Times	

--COOLCLEVELAND.COM--

Romulus Linney, the author of ‘HOLY GHOSTS’ now being
produced by Beck Center, holds a Bachelor’s degree
from Oberlin College and is the father of Laurie
Linney.  Linney, spent his childhood in North Carolina
and Tennessee.  The author of three novels, thirteen
plays and twenty-two short stories, he has used his
southern experiences as a device for anchoring much of
his writing.

‘HOLY GHOST’ centers on Nancy Coleman, a run-away
bride.  Her husband Coleman comes after her not only
because he wants her back, but she has taken some of
his family’s heirlooms. Coleman finds her at the rural
meeting house of a southern Pentecostal sect.  Nancy
has not only been accepted into the family of the
church, but has declared her interest in becoming the
wife of the Reverend Obediah Buckhorn.  Rich with
atmosphere and the feel of southern rural life, the
play probes into the circumstances and stories of the
various sect members—culminating in a snake-handling
scene in which the cynical Coleman, to his own
amazement, is himself converted into a believer.

The play, as the Beck Center’s director states in the
program notes, “probes the universal human need to
believe.”  It also shines the light on how some people
test their faith in ways unimaginable to most of us as
it examines how, through acceptance and love, people
sometimes get what they need.  What the attendee will
take from the production is parallel to the person’s
religious and philosophical beliefs.   Some may be
repelled by the fanatical faith of the characters. 
Others will identify with the need to “follow God’s
words.”

In spite of Linney’s credentials, the play is
generally not well written.  Some of the dialogue is
forced and unnatural.  The transitions are weak.  At
times it appears that the bridges were written to tie
together a series of pre-written monologues, much like
the style used to create musical reviews.

In spite of the script problems, the Beck show
generally works.   Director Matthew Wright has done an
excellent job of developing clear characters who
understand their underlying emotions.  However, a
combination of Wright’s blocking, Richard Gould’s
scenic design and the theatre space causes for
difficulty in hearing some of the characters’ line. 
Wright often placed individuals so their backs were to
a majority of the audience, usually facing the back
wall of the set.  The sound goes over the top of the
low set and bounce off the theatre walls or get lost
in the high ceiling.  These problems were heightened
when the characters shouted.  And scream they did. 
Actors and directors often think that yelling at the
top of their lungs is the only way to show strong
emotions.  It isn’t.  Vocal inflection, intensity and
pauses are often more effective, and some of this cast
should learn that concept.

Nicholas Koesters (Coleman Shedman) developed a
character that was both egomaniacal and  pathetic.  A
little less shouting in certain places, more
controlled emotional frustration and better diction
might have helped polish the characterization.

Laurel Johnson was often unintelligible as Nancy
Shedman.  When she screamed and faced away from the
audience, her words just floated away.  Her
realization scene at the end of the play was very
effectively portrayed.

A. Neil Thackaberry straddled the line between fanatic
and astute leader, with skill.   Rhoda Rosen was
properly school marmish.  Curtis Young was effectively
clueless to the realities of life as the preacher’s
son.  Only space restricts my listing each member of
the cast as doing a very effective job.  

CAPSULE JUDGEMENT:  ‘HOLY GHOSTS’ may not be an easy
production for some to sit through due to the preachy
religious material and script weaknesses.  On the
other hand, the quality of the acting is strong enough
so that anyone interested in quality performances will
be wrapped up in the character developments.  Don’t be
surprised if you leave the theatre both mentally and
physically exhausted.

‘HOLY GHOSTS’ runs through  October 21 at The Beck
Center for the Arts in Lakewood.  For ticket
information call 216-521-2540.

Special note:  Be advised that Beck has announced the
cancellation of ‘ALL THE GREAT BOOKS (ABRIDGED),’
which was to run November 16-December 16 in the Studio
Theatre.  No official word was given for the
cancellation other than the local area’s overabundance
of arts and sports activities during that period.  The
next Beck show will be the revival of  ‘DISNEY’S
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST’ starring Dan Folino and directed
by Fred Sternfeld. It runs from November 30 to
December 30.





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


       
____________________________________________________________________________________
Need a vacation? Get great deals
to amazing places on Yahoo! Travel.
http://travel.yahoo.com/