[NEohioPAL] Berko review: THE FARNSWORTH INVENTION (Beck)

[Roy Berko]

‘FARNSWORTH
INVENTION’ is fascinating “history” lesson at Beck 
Roy Berko
 
(Member,
American Theatre Critics Association)
 
--THE TIMES
NEWSPAPERS--
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County Times--Westlaker Times--Lakewood News Times--Olmsted-Fairview Times  
 
--COOLCLEVELAND.COM—
 
If you
believe ‘THE FARNSWORTH INVENTION,’ now being staged at Beck,  some historical “facts,” aren’t facts
at all.  The Wright Brothers didn’t
invent the first airplane, Thomas Edison didn’t create the first light bulb,
and though he had the first U.S. patent for a television receiver, Vladrmi
Zworkin didn’t develop the first working television in this country.  According to the script, the latter
credit, was based on the machinations of RCA’s David Sarnoff, who wanted to
control the potentially prosperous video industry.  The recognition should have gone to a Utah farm boy genius
named Philo Farnsworth.
 
In reality,
the play is not historically accurate.  It shows Farnsworth being defeated legally by Sarnoff, and
then spending his life in obscurity and in an alcoholic stupor. In fact,
Farnsworth won the lawsuit, received a $1 million payment from RCA for the
purchase of his TV patents, and went on to have an illustrious career in
technological research.   In
respect to the man, there is a statue of Farnsworth in the U.S. Capitol
Building.
 
The play,
written by Emmy Award winner Aaron Sorkin (TV’s ‘THE WEST WING’), opened on
Broadway in December of 2007 and ran for four months in spite of very mixed reviews.
 
Irrespective
of the lack of validity, the play makes for good theatre.  There is intrigue, evil versus good,
and a “hero” you can cheer for and feel bad for in his defeat.
 
Director
Scott Spence has staged the play well.  He keeps the action focused and the tension high.  Unfortunately, on opening night some of
the cast was having trouble remembering their lines and the pacing was slightly
off, but this should improve as the very talented cast, which includes three
Actor’s Equity performers, start feeling their stage legs and get it right.
 
Sebastian
Hawkes Orr, as the older Philo Farnsworth, has the right Utah hayseed demeanor
and gate.  He is believable, though
at times he spoke so softly that he was hard to hear.  Jesse Markowitz was right on character as the young
Farnsworth, garnering many laughs as he outsmarted his junior high science
teacher.
 
The usual
dependable Paul Floriano flubbed lines, but should recover as the production
continues.  His David Sarnoff had
the right “bad guy” undertone.
 
Dana Hart
effectively changed his voice and presence to effectively interpret several
characters, and Jeffrey Grover did a nice job of characterizing Vladmir
Zworykin.  The rest of the huge
cast were quite believable.
 
Trad Burns’
scenic and lighting designs helped create the right illusions and Richard
Ingraham’s ever present sounds were a good idea, but sometimes got in the way
of clearly allowing the oft-under projecting cast’s words to carry into the
audience without listening clutter.
 
CAPSULE JUDGEMENT:  ‘THE FARNSWORTH INVENTION’ is an interesting piece of theatre that is
well worth seeing.  Hopefully as
the cast settles in some of the opening night issues of line stumbles and the
need for appropriate vocal projection will be resolved.
            Beck’s
production of ‘THE FARNSWORTH INVENTION’ continues through April 11. For ticket
information call 216-521-2540.  

 Roy Berko's blog, which contains theatre and dance reviews from 2001 through 2009, as well as his consulting and publications information, can be found at http://royberko.info

His reviews can also be found on www.coolcleveland.com and NeOHIOpal (to subscribe visit http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/neohiopal.)