CurtainUp
CurtainUp

The Internet Theater Magazine of Reviews, Features, Annotated Listings
www.curtainup.com


HOME PAGE

SITE GUIDE

SEARCH

ADVERTISING AT CURTAINUP

REVIEWS

FEATURES

NEWS
Etcetera and
Short Term Listings


LISTINGS
Broadway
Off-Broadway

NYC Restaurants

BOOKS and CDs

OTHER PLACES
Berkshires
London
California
New Jersey
Philadelphia
Elsewhere

QUOTES

TKTS

PLAYWRIGHTS' ALBUMS

LETTERS TO EDITOR

FILM

LINKS

MISCELLANEOUS
Free Updates
Masthead
Writing for Us

A CurtainUp Los Angeles Review
The Quality of Life


A pen and a pair of glasses.— Nei.

The Quality of Life
Laurie Metcalf as Jeannette and Dennis Boutsikaris as Neil in The Quality of Life
(Photo: )
Those two items are all that Neil and Jeanette saved from the fire that destroyed their home but, in Jane Anderson's world, that's all you need. The ability to see clearly and write about it are her priorities and she's rarely done it better than in this play, commissioned by the Geffen and given one of their strongest ever productions.

Two couples confront death in very different ways. Bill (Scott Bakula) and his wife Dinah (JoBeth Williams) are mourning the hideous rape and murder of their teen-age daughter and only child. They visit a cousin, Neil (Dennis Boutsikaris), who is dying of cancer and planning to kill himself before it gets too painful, and his wife Jeanette (Laurie Metcalf) who announces her decision to go with him.

On a set made as primitive as death by Francois-Pierre Couture but warmed by Jason H. Thompson's mellow lighting Neil and Jeanette are living in a yurt (Mongolian tent). It's on the site of their devastated home which they've festooned with the remains of their belongings, twisted into beautiful sculptures by the fire, Bill is a born-again Christian after the death of his daughter, finding support for his Midwestern values in the congregation of a fundamentalist church. Although the liberal West Coast cousins don't accept the Biblical salvation he spouts, they're patient with his pain and wise enough to see that the fires of hell that Bill claims await suicides describe the place he wants for his daughter's killer.

The chemistry between Metcalf and Boutsikaris is tangible. The wonderful Laurie Metcalfpicks up nuances on the simplest exchanges. She succeeds in making the rigid, wretched Bill smile. Warm and stubborn, she's the essence of unreconstructed hippie. Boutsikaris makes Neil a history and philosophy teacher who walks the walk, as well as talks the talk. Even recumbent and taking marijuana for pain, he exhibits the gentle dignity, fortitude, charisma and wry humor of a man any woman would find it unbearable to leave.

Scott Bakula's performance is so honest that his pain and resolve to survive shine through the tiring fundamentalist arguments. As Dinah, his wife who goes along to get along, JoBeth Williams' wholesome beauty and fidelity to her husband even when the marriage has become hollow illuminate what could be a thankless role.

Both couples change as the play ends. A large part of its success is due to Jane Anderson's taking the direction on herself. As a writer, she explores the issues of euthanasia and spiritual beliefs and as a director, she grounds them in an everyday world of believable characters, contrasting who they are with who they become.

THE QUALITY OF LIFE
Playwright and Director: Jane Anderson
Cast: Scott Bakula (Bill), JoBeth Williams (Dinah), Dennis Boutsikaris (Neil), Laurie Metcalf (Jeannette)
Set Design: Francois-Pierre Couture
Lighting Design: Jason H Thompson
Costume Design: Christina Haatainen Jones
Sound Design: Karl Lundeberg
Running Time: One hour 40 minutes, one intermission
Running Dates: October 10-November 18, 2007
Where: Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Avenue, Westwood, Reservations: (310) 208-5454.
Reviewed by Laura Hitchcock on October 11.

Google
 
Web    
www.curtainup.com


broadway musicals: the 101 greatest shows of all time
Easy-on-the budget super gift for yourself and your musical loving friends. Tons of gorgeous pictures.


Leonard Maltin's Classic Movie Guide
Leonard Maltin's 2007 Movie Guide


broadwaynewyork.com


The Broadway Theatre Archive>


amazon



©Copyright 2007,

GUCCI

|

Aluminium Chronograph

|

PEAK new fashion ladies venting air spring heighten casual sport shoes P8004E

|

Tiffany & Co Hook and Eye Ring

|

mbt shoes

|

MBT Shoes

|

Tiffany&Co Daisy 925 sterling silver rings

|

Rolex

|

Louis Vuitton

|

Affliction Boots

|

Nike Shoes

|

Nike Dunk

|

MP5 Wholesale

|

Atlanta Falcons

|

Abercrombie Pants Wholesale 002

|

Louis Vuitton

|

UGG Boots Mulberry Genuine Australia classic Tall Ugg Boots

|

GUCCI Handbags

|

UGG Boots Classic Argyle Knit Chocolate 5879

|

Louis Vuitton Business Card Holder Ebony

|

MBT Men's Kisumu Tan Sandals

|

MBT Chapa

|

ugg boots

|

MBT Kisumu 2 White Men's Sandals

|

Nike Shoes

|

Louis Vuitton Monogram Denim Messenger Bag PM m95865

|

Bailey Button Uggs

|

Sexy Costume QS0169

|

Phone Wholesale

|

Bikinis Sets

|

Wholesale

|

Car DVD Player

|

LV

|

Tourbillon

|

Tiffany tiffany replica ring

|

Superleggera J12 White

|

Tiffany

|

rolex

|

Mouse Wholesale

|

Nike Air Max 2003

|

Monogram Groom

|

GUCCI

|

Wholesale

|

Nike Air Max LTD (dark blue/white) No.372340

Elyse Sommer.
Information from this site may not be reproduced in print or online without specific permission from esommer@curtainup.com