[NEohioPAL] Berko review: A LOSS OF ROSES (Ensemble)

[Roy Berko]

Weak Inge play gets equally weak production at
Ensemble

Roy Berko

(Member, American Theatre Critics Association)

--THE TIMES NEWSPAPERS--

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


‘A LOSS OF ROSES,’ now on stage at Ensemble Theatre,
was William Inge’s least successful plays.  In
contrast to such hits as  his Pulitzer Prize winning
‘PICNIC,’ ‘COME BACK LITTLE SHEBA,’ ‘BUS STOP’ and
‘DARK AT THE TOP OF THE STAIRS, which many consider to
be his most significant play, ‘A LOSS OF ROSES’ was a
failure on Broadway.  It ran only 25 performances and
earned the nickname, “A Loss of Grosses.”

Inge, who was a troubled soul, was one of the three
most heralded modern era playwrights who dominated the
dramatic theatre scene in the 1950s and 60s.  Arthur
Miller asked, “What’s the best way to live?” 
Tennessee Williams showcased people who found
themselves in places and situations they didn’t
understand and in relationship with people who didn’t
understand them.  Inge looked for the shadows and
darkness of life. 

‘A LOSS OF ROSES’ is a poignant story, but,
unfortunately, it touches on so many themes that it
doesn’t develop any of them well.  It is talky,
unfocused and drenched with symbolism and metaphoric
layers. The motivations of its characters are often
unclear. Part of this may have been Inge’s own
psychological confusion.  A closeted homosexual, he
fought his “demons” for years, finally committing
suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning in 1973 at the
age of 60.

The story concerns a relationship between a mother
(Helen), whose husband drowned trying to save their
son Kenny, and the son.  She claims to love him, but
wants to have him become more independent.  He wants
to give her everything, but resents her authority and
feels tied down.  When Lila, an actress and the boy’s
former baby sitter, comes to stay, a new factor enters
the equation.  Kenny is boiling with unbridled
hormones, and Lila is beautiful, open and charming. 
The darkness in each of them hangs over their heads
and the ending leaves each disappointed.

Ensemble’s production, under the direction of Bernard
Canepari, doesn’t do much to help the script’s
weaknesses.  The pacing is slow, the tensions not
totally developed, and many of actors have difficulty
developing clear characterizations.   

Only Jason Markouc, as the son, textures his character
well.   His angst, frustration, confusion and
rudderless existence are clear.   Amy Pawlukiewicz as
Lila, the actress and former baby sitter, has some
good moments, but just isn’t consistent.  Her scenes
with Markouc lack sexual tension.  In fact, the major
kissing scene between the two found no smolder, their
lips not even squarely meeting and their bodies
unengaged.

Julia Kolibab, as Helen, has some good moments, but at
times loses her believability.  Robert M. K. Daniels,
as the next door neighbor and Douglas Kusask, the
supposedly domineering “bad guy,”never develop clear
characterizations and are unbelievable.  Dorothy
Canepari does well in a brief appearance as a faded
actress. 

CAPSULE JUDGEMENT:  Between a weak script and very
amateur production qualities, Ensemble’s production of
‘A LOSS OF ROSES,’ is a less than satisfying
theatrical experience.

‘A LOSS OF ROSES’ continues through NOVEMBER 25 at
Ensemble Theatre, which is staging its plays at the
Cleveland Play House.  For information call
216-321-2930.




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://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/neohiopal.  His reviews also appear on www.coolcleveland.com

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