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<p class=""><b style>THE ICEMAN
COMETH,<span style> </span>a four-hour marathon at
Ensemble</b></p>
<p class=""> </p>
<p class="">Roy Berko</p>
<p class="">(Member, American Theatre Critics Association, Cleveland
Critics Circle)</p>
<p class=""> </p>
<p class="">Eugene O’Neill, along with such writers as Anton Chekhov,
Henrik Ibsen and August Strindberg, transformed western theatre.<span style> </span>They transitioned the stage from a
place for escapist ideas into a mecca for the examination of real life
problems.<span style> </span>The quartet laid the
foundation for what is now known as “the modern theatre” and laid the
groundwork for such luminaries as Arthur Miller, Tennessee Williams and William
Inge.<span style> </span></p>
<p class=""> </p>
<p class="">O’Neill wrote in the dialect of the area of the country in
which his plays are set.<span style> </span>He looked
at a wide view of the population, and examined the struggle of people to set
goals, maintain their hopes and dreams, and confront disillusionment and
despair.</p>
<p class=""> </p>
<p class="">O’Neill was extremely prolific.<span style> </span>Between 1914 and 1983, he wrote over 30 plays including such
masterpieces as ANNA CHRISTI, THE EMPEROR JONES, DESIRE UNDER THE ELMS, MORNING
BECOMES ELECTRA, LONG DAY’S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT, MOON FOR THE MISBEGOTTEN, all
with serious themes, and one comedy, AH,WILDERNESS.<span style> </span>He won the Nobel Prize and four Pulitzer Prizes for Drama.</p>
<p class=""> </p>
<p class="">One of his epic scripts, THE ICEMAN COMETH is in production
at Ensemble Theatre.</p>
<p class=""> </p>
<p class="">The script was first professionally staged in 1946 and
centers on Harry Hope’s Greenwich Village bar and rooming house.<span style> </span>It’s 1912.<span style> </span>The patrons, a group of alcoholics who use liquor to dull
their senses, spend day after day, year after year, inside the establishment,
forming a dysfunctional family.<span style>
</span>Most are penniless, living off the generosity of the owner, who is
psychologically no better off than his customers.<span style> </span>Three prostitutes hang around the place which is run by two
bartenders.<span style> </span></p>
<p class=""> </p>
<p class="">The group looks forward to the semi-annual visits of
Theodore Hickman, know to them as Hickey.<span style>
</span>Hickey, who buys them all booze, tells funny stories, and relates
mythical tales about his wife and her so-called iceman boyfriend, who
supposedly shows up when Hickey leaves on one of his selling trips. </p>
<p class=""><span style> </span></p>
<p class="">Hickey is due as it’s Harry’s birthday.<span style> </span>There is much anticipation.<span style> </span>Hickey arrives, but is seemingly a
different person.<span style> </span>Instead of a
jokester, he preaches that “honesty with yourself leads to true peace.”<span style> </span>He attempts to motive the men to turn
off their pipe dreams and return to the real world.<span style> </span>They each go forth to face the world without the protection
of their liquored personas.<span style> </span>The
results are disastrous, the goals unmet, and the play ends with a revelation
and disillusionment.</p>
<p class=""> </p>
<p class="">THE ICEMAN COMETH is not an easy sit.<span style> </span>It’s four hours of philosophical
investigation of anarchism, socialism, depression and despair.</p>
<p class=""> </p>
<p class="">The Ensemble production, under the direction of Ian Wolfgang
Hinz, is well paced.<span style> </span>The major
problem, besides the length, is the poorly staged ending.<span style> </span></p>
<p class=""> </p>
<p class="">Unfortunately, to reveal the problem requires telling part
of the shocking conclusion of the play, but there is no way to avoid it.<span style> </span>One of the characters commits
suicide.<span style> </span>We hear what sounds like
a gun shot but the script lines relate that the victim jumped from a window.<span style> </span>In addition, the person who is supposed
to see him jump is placed on a staircase from which he could not possibly see
the act, resulting in a confounding ending. </p>
<p class=""> </p>
<p class="">The cast is universally excellent.<span style> </span>Dana Hart as Hickey textures his role with realism.<span style> </span>His almost half-hour fourth act
monologue, though overly long, is compellingly presented.<span style> </span></p>
<p class=""> </p>
<p class="">Other impressive performances include Mitch Rose (Willie)
who goes through agonizing alcoholic shivers and withdrawal before our eyes. <span style> </span></p>
<p class=""> </p>
<p class="">Michael Regnier (Harry) vividly portrays his character’s agoraphobia.<span style> </span></p>
<p class=""> </p>
<p class="">Robert Hawkes (Larry Slade) is the intellect held captive by
his need to escape from past reality or face profound despair.<span style> </span></p>
<p class=""> </p>
<p class="">Bobby Williams (Joe), effectively develops the black man who
<span style>carries the strong O’Neill messages of
bitterness and envy. </span></p>
<p class=""><span style> </span></p>
<p class=""><span style>Valerie Young is
pathetically real as the hooker who wants a different life, but can’t escape
from this all encompassing world.<span style> </span></span></p>
<p class=""> </p>
<p class="" style="text-autospace:none"><i style>CAPSULE
JUDGEMENT: </i><i style><span style>THE ICEMAN COMETH is a daunting
undertaking.<span style> </span>It has a huge mostly
male cast, all of whom have major speeches.<span style> </span>Keeping an audience’s attention for four act, is nearly
impossible. <span style> </span>Ensemble should be
praised for not only the quality of this production, but for taking on staging
this classic.</span></i></p>
<p class="" style="text-autospace:none"><span style> </span></p>
<p class="">THE ICEMAN COMETH runs Thursdays through Sundays
through May 12, 2013, at Ensemble Theatre, housed in Coventry School, 2843
Washington Blvd, Cleveland Heights.<span style>
</span>For tickets call 216-321-2930 or go online to <a href="http://www.ensemble-theatre.org">http://www.ensemble-theatre.org</a></p>
<p class=""> </p>
<p class="">To see the views of other Cleveland area theatre
reviewers go to:<span style> </span><a href="http://www.clevelandtheaterreviews.com">clevelandtheaterreviews.com</a></p>
</div>