[NEohioPAL] Review of Cleveland Play House's "The Lady With All the Answers"

[Bob Abelman]

Lady answers question you may not be asking

 

Bob Abelman

News-Herald, Chagrin Valley Times, Solon Times, Geauga Times Courier

Member, International Association of Theatre Critics 

 

This review appeared in the News-Herald 4/10/09

 

Dear Ann Landers:

 

I live in a big city that has plenty of live theater, and I try to be open to it all.  But I'm afraid I really didn't get into The Lady With All the Answers, the one-woman show about your life, which is currently running at the Cleveland Play House.  Sure, renowned actress Mimi Kennedy is wonderful as you-personable, believable and very talented.  But, quite frankly, I never read your self-help column in the newspaper when you were alive and I never felt the need to know more about your life.  I still don't.  One-woman shows based on real people tend to be really  wordy, void of action and dramatic tension, and feel obligated to squeeze as many historical facts into the story as possible. This is David Rambo's script to the letter.  Heck, with a name like Rambo and having written and produced the TV crime show "CSI," you'd think he'd put a bit more excitement on the stage.  Am I missing something?  I wanted to like this show, I really did.  Are my expectations too high?  Am I the problem?  Signed, Not a Fan I am

 

p.s.:  The set that serves as your Chicago apartment is great.  Scenic designer Tom Burch earned his paycheck.

 

Dear Not a Fan:

 

So you think the play is two pickles shy of a turkey sandwich.  At least you are honest.  Still, not all theater has to deliver a big bang for your buck.  As I've often said in my advice column, bigger is not always better.  Sometimes the little things are just as rewarding.  Doesn't the way the actress directly addresses audience members, as if they are the writers of the letters I receive, create a wonderful intimacy?  Doesn't her reading of some of these letters aloud, which is an interesting narrative device if I say so myself, make you a bit curious about how they were answered and about the woman with the answers?  If that is not enough to twirl your turban, don't you at least like how each of the two acts is only 40 minutes long?  No, you are not the problem, because you are not the target audience.  My syndicated column reached 60 million readers.  This show is for them.  Continue to love live theater.  And love yourself for doing so.  Sincerely, Ann Landers.

 

The Lady With All the Answers continues through April 19 in The Cleveland Play House's Bolton Theatre.  For tickets, which range from $42 to $64 ($10 students), call 216-795-7000 or visit www.clevelandplayhouse.com.
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