[NEohioPAL] Review of "Rich Girl" at Cleveland Play House

Bob Abelman r.abelman at adelphia.net
Sat Apr 27 09:34:34 PDT 2013


CPH's 'Rich Girl' offers a cache of romantic comedy 

 

Bob Abelman

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

Member, International Association of Theatre Critics 

 

This review will appear in the News-Herald on 5/3/13

 

 

It seems odd that the Cleveland Play House would promote "Rich Girl" as a "world premiere production" when it is based on a 1940's play-turned-film, "The Heiress," which was derived from Henry James' 1880's novella "Washington Square."  And the production actually opened several weeks ago in New Jersey.  

 

Despite its loaner storyline - an inexperienced, wealthy young woman falls for a handsome young man despite her abusive parent's suspicions of fortune hunting - Victoria Stewart's up-dated "Rich Girl" stands solidly on its own well-heeled, high-heeled feet.  

 

In fact, it is a thoroughly delightful entertainment and a fine way for the CPH to kick-start this year's New Ground productions, which feature the latest work from some of the nation's finest artists.  "Rich Girl" is a co-production with George Street Playhouse, which accounts for its New Brunswick debut.

 

Here, the flexible Second Stage space at PlayhouseSquare is transformed into a posh New York apartment, which houses tough-talking and hard-hearted financial guru Eve, her effervescent executive assistant Maggie, and her polar opposite daughter Claudine.  The naïve Claudine -- graceless, trusting and, consequently, a huge disappointment - is being groomed to take over Eve's foundation and fortune, but falls for Henry, a charming starving artist.  The romantic Claudine is sure this first love is true love; the realist Eve is convinced it's a con-job and, with German shepherd bark and pit bull bite, sets out to prove it.

 

One of the most intriguing innovations by the playwright is that the lavishly appointed apartment, designed by Wilson Chin and lit by Matthew Richards, reduces down to the cable television studio where Eve spouts her direct-address wisdom about money management.  Each sermon about finance foreshadows Eve's approach to family.  "Don't confuse self-worth with net worth," she preaches in one scene and then fails to put into practice in the next.

 

Director Michael Bloom has been given a gift by Victoria Stewart, and he unwraps "Rich Girl" with admirable patience and immense precision.  Here is a romantic comedy with just the right balance of both, offered at just the right moments and with just the right flair.  

 

Much of this has to do with the talented actors on stage, whose program bios reveal an aptitude for turning well-written dialogue into memorable moments as funny as they are moving.  

 

Crystal Finn could not be more endearing as naïve Claudine or more convincing when she finally finds her own voice, which sounds just like her mother's.  She wins us over in her opening scene and still has us in her corner during the play's final blackout.

 

Liz Larsen is nothing short of adorable as Maggie, seasoning scenes with her presence but never stealing them. which she could easily do by simply being bigger or broader than she is.   Her character is so effectively effusive that it helps soften Eve and bolster Claudine, which is instrumental in making both likable and keeping this play in balance.  

 

The cold front Broadway veteran Dee Hoty generates as Eve is so massive and impenetrable that it could be detected on Doppler radar.  And yet she is interesting all the time, particularly when she is at her worst as a mother and an employer.  

 

As too-good-to-be-true Henry, Claudine's supposed soul mate and the thorn in Eve's side, Tony Roach is superb.  He never tips his hat to reveal bad intentions, but he most certainly leaves room for doubt.  None of that is in the dialogue, really, but there it is nonetheless. 

 

The final scene of this play deviates from its source material-particularly the film-and does so in true romantic comedy fashion. This will no doubt be a topic of discussion as patrons leave the theater.  What will not be debated is the firm realization that this is one beautifully written, tenderly directed, and brilliantly performed production.  World premiere or not.

 

"Rich Girl" continues through May 19 in Cleveland Play House's Second Stage at PlayhouseSquare.  For tickets, which range from $15 to $69, call 216-241-6000 or visit www.clevelandplayhouse.com.   

 
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