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A CurtainUp Review
The Best Man
| She looks absolutely radiant in her white lace-wedding gown. And the veil. Wait till you see. Simply …stunning. Really. Why she chose not to wear a slip under that tight low cut outfit she wore last night, to the rehearsal dinner, is anyone’s guess, but she looks simply breathtaking this morning. --- Rita, the groom’s mother. |
Ed Jewett and Susan Greenhill
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The scene is the sacristy of the church on the day of Patrick’s (Ed Jewett) wedding. Before his arrival, Patrick’s best men – his younger brother John (Dan Domingues) and best friend Ronnie (Tom Tansey) – are dealing with a major issue. John, good looking and trim and with a reputation as a womanizer confesses to Ronnie that has (to use the vernacular) "banged" Doreen, the bride-to-be on the steps leading up to their rooms at the hotel after the rehearsal dinner. John blurts out, “I’m in love with her,” and insists that he has to talk to Doreen and tell his brother before the ceremony. John’s lust for Doreen is somehow connected to her passion for collecting The Wizard of Oz memorabilia. People have been known to connect for less.
The greatest gift this comedy, however, has to offer is Rita (Susan Greenhill), the shrill, bossy and unnerving mother of the groom who expectedly has no love for the bride-to-be for reasons that take up as much stage time as does the boys rehashing of their school days, the girls that did or did not put out, and whether Patrick should finally discard his extensive porno collection. Is John’s indiscretion revealed? What happens if Rita finds out? Will there be a wedding? Amid resolves that some will find tritely expedient, and an ending that some will find grievously unacceptable, the comedy defies rationale responses by the sheer force of its comical crudity.
Under the resourceful direction of Peter Bennett, whose credits include the long-running off-Broadway hit Passion of Dracula, the cast responds explosively to the imploding script, in turn digressive and redundant. As the groom, Jewett’s bulk is no barrier to his endearing performance. Domingues is fine as the irresponsible John, as is Tansey as the exuberantly crass Ronnie. But it is Greenhill, as a hilariously over-bearing Rita, who brings a fresh respect for this traditionally stale stereotype. Set Designer Harry Feiner has impressively researched the décor of a sacristy. For the future, may I respectfully suggest to the playwright that he research how to turn a situation into a play. I suspect that The Best Man may find future refuge in Community Theater.
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The Best Man By Robert King Directed by Peter Bennett Cast: Dan Domingues, Tom Tansey, Ed Jewett, Susan Greenhill Scenic Design: Harry Feiner Costume Design: Patricia E. Doherty Lighting Design: Jill Nagle Running Time: 1 hour 50 minutes including intermission The New Jersey Repertory Company, at the Lumia Theatre, 179 Broadway, Long Branch, NJ. 07740 732 – 229 – 3166, email: info@njrep.org. September 14 through October 15, 2006 Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8 PM; selected Saturdays at 4 PM and Sundays at 2 PM Tickets are $30 with discounts for seniors, students, groups and thru subscriptions. For additional information or reservations call Tickets can also be purchased online at www.njrep.org Review based on performance Sunday September 17 by Simon Saltzman |
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Leonard Maltin's 2006 Movie Guide
Leonard Maltin's 2005 Movie Guide
6, 500 Comparative Phrases including 800 Shakespearean Metaphors by our editor.
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