Reviving the Classics; a Mamet Adaptation and Two Short Plays by Albee
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Summary
Currently it's a double bill of Edward Albee's works. The Zoo Story, Albee's first success (1958), is a one-act tragedy, the story of an odd couple who meet in Central Park. Ben Colteaux takes on the role of middle-aged publisher Peter, who reads on a park bench because he doesn't want to go home to his wife, daughters, cats and birds. Along comes Jerry (Karl Erickson), who wants to talk about his trip to the zoo. Their encounter grows in intensity as Jerry reveals ugly details of his life in a seedy part of town and points out some of the unattractive elements of Peter's privileged life. Erickson is forceful as Jerry; he circles the park bench like the vicious dog he tells about in his story of "Jerry and the Dog." He talks about trying to love the dog, then trying to kill him, and failing at both. Jerry is dangerous; Colteaux watches and listens with fascination, subtly reacting as his tormentor says he is wimpy and pussy-whipped. But director Artie Gilbert and actor Colteaux don't make the big moves required to exacerbate Jerry's aggressive behavior. This keeps this two-character play a strong monologue until Peter takes action in the explosive ending.
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Reviving the Classics; a Mamet Adaptation and Two Short Plays by Albee
The Voysey Inheritance is Shaw without the fireworks. Although playwright Harley Granville-Barker examines many of the same issues - including greed and corruption in high places - he hasn't created the memorable characters. ...
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