[NEohioPAL] Berko review: THE KITE RUNNER @ Cleveland Play House
Roy Berko
royberko at yahoo.com
Thu Oct 21 06:39:24 PDT 2010
THE KITE RUNNER ascends to incredible heights at the Cleveland Play House
Roy Berko
(Member, American Theatre Critics Association)
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Combine a superbly-crafted script, well-conceived and perfectly paced direction,
and, a brilliant cast….the results? The Cleveland Play House's THE KITE RUNNER.
On the surface, THE KITE RUNNER is a story of two boys growing up in Kabul,
Afghanistan, before, during and after the rise of the Talibahan. In reality,
it is a story of culture, dehumanization, human frailty and redemption.
Amir is the son of a wealthy emotionally distant businessman. Hassan is the son
of Amir's father's servant. The two are inseparable until, following a kite
flying contest, Hassan is brutally attacked while Amir watches and finally
abandons his friend and runs away. Their relationship is never the same.
Years later, an emotionally crippled Amir returns to Afghanistan to seek out his
friend and atone for his youthful cowardice. But fate, global politics and a
revelation of past deeds, nearly intercede to thwart Amir's ability to make
amends for his ill-conceived choices.
Those who have read Khaled Hosseini's best-selling book may fear that Matthew
Spangler, a professor of performance studies, could not have brought the printed
page faithfully to the stage. Fear not. Spangler has penned an adaptation that
is faithful to the events, characters and spirit of the novel. In fact, seeing
the action unravel live adds to the conflicted, guilt-ridden narrative voice of
the original author.
The CPH production, under the focused eye of Marc Masterson, wraps itself around
the mind and compels attention. There is no time for attention to wander.
Every scene grabs the imagination and sweeps the viewer into the action.
Michael Raiford's simple set of Middle Eastern arches, sliding panels and a
two-sided brick wall, works masterfully. Lorraine Venberg's culturally correct
costumes add to the reality. Brain Lilienthal's lighting design leads our
emotional highs and lows. Matt Callahan's realistic sound effects further
enhances the eerie reality. Cultural consultant, Humaira Ghilzai, has added the
needed faithful ethnic authenticity.
Young Matt Pascua, appearing in his professional stage debut, is mesmerizing as
Hassan. This is a multi-textured role that develops from childhood exuberance
and subservience to pain and near psychological destruction. If there was a
local award to be given for superb acting, Pascua would qualify for it.
Jos Viramontes does not just portray the adult Amir, he IS Amir! Acting as the
narrator, our Greek chorus who explains and adds textured highlights, as well as
the living character, Viramontes is flawless. His emotions and reactions are
completely real.
Jose Peru Flores makes the sensitive, fearful Young Amir, live. Aadya Bedi is
real as Soraya, Amir's wife. Nasser Faris is properly aloof as Baba, Amir's
father. The rest of the ensemble is equally impressive.
CAPSULE JUDGMENT: 'THE KITE RUNNER' is theatre at its finest. This is a must
see production….Bravo! Superb! Wow!
THE KITE RUNNER runs through November 7. For tickets call 216-795-7000 or go to
www.clevelandplayhouse.com.
Roy Berko's blog, which contains theatre and dance reviews from 2001 through
2010, 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.)
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