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
Tooth and Nail


I don't want to shock the children or excite the homosexuals but I have the most extraordinary erection.— Gerald Laney as Peter O'Toole as Henry II
The very thought of Peter O'Toole's Henry II in A Lion In Winter reincarnated as a New Jersey pater familias makes one shudder. But Gina Acosta's new play at the Elephant Theatre Company uses the conceit hilariously in a concept that shows how being inhabited by a regal larger-than-life character, albeit created with sly humor by modern playwright James Goldman, can give a father a whole new attitude towards the three daughters who've replaced the three sons Henry had and the repulsively gabby wife Ellie (Lynn Odell) who shares only a name, Eleanor, with Henry's queen.

Gerald Laney (Gregory Mortensen), a morose middle-aged man, is dying of cancer. After attending their favorite movie, A Lion in Winter, he falls, bumps his head and wakes up being the man he always wanted to be: King Henry II as interpreted by Peter O'Toole in the movie made from Goldman's play.

Although Mortensen has the marvelous plummy voice that reeks of Shakespearean actor, the playwright and director Lindsay Allbaugh are wise enough not to attempt a take-off on O'Toole. Gerald is very much himself liberated, his inner self imperiously speaking his mind for the first time in his life.

Dithery Ellie's one moment of truth comes when Gerald refuses to take the medication that dulls his senses and she protests violently that his sickness is her loss, too. The daughters are Robin (Jennifer Etienne Eckert), whose pregnancy buoys the family up until a bitter plot twist; Dylan (Tara Norris), a recovering alcoholic who is furious with her father and childlike Rose (Kerry Carney), who turns out to be the Richard-the-Lion-Heart character. Their new neighbors, gay partners Michael (Tony Foster) and Julian (Tom Stanczyk), add flavor and more conflicts. "Don't call yourself an alcoholic! Alcoholism is a title to be earned! " Gerald roars at Dylan, another line that suggests a story that we'd like to hear more of.

Director Lindsay Albaugh keeps the first act frothy and listens to her characters in the second act where, rather schematically, everyone addresses his/her problem. The cast is good and particularly lucky in having Mortensen for their Henry II. Stanczyk is very funny as Julian without overcamping. This is a lovely example of the effects movies have on people's lives and the creative recycling, without imitation, of glorious source material.

TOOTH AND NAIL
Playwright: Gina Acosta
Director: Lindsay Allbaugh
Cast: Lynn Odell (Ellie Laney), Gregory Mortensen (Gerald Laney), Tony Foster (Michael Jones), Jennifer Etienne Eckert (Robin Laney), Josh Breeding (Ted Hamster), Tara Norris (Dylan Laney), Kerry Carney (Rose Laney), Tom Stanczyk (Julian Dudely), Robert John Brewer (Soul Cat).
Set Design: Joel Daavid
Lighting Design: Nick McCord
Costume Design: Kimberly Overton
Sound Design: Matt Richter and Christopher Game
Running Time: Two hours, one intermission
Running Dates: May 15-June 14, 2008
Where: Lillian Theatre, 1078 N. Lillian Way, Hollywood, Reservations: (323) 9600-4410
Reviewed by Laura Hitchcock on May 18, 2008.


REVIEW FEEDBACK
Highlight one of the responses below and click "copy" or"CTRL+C"
  • I agree with the review of Tooth and Nail
  • I disagree with the review Of Tooth and Nail
  • The review made me eager to see Tooth and Nail
Click on the address link E-mail: esommer@curtainup.com
Paste the highlighted text into the subject line (CTRL+ V):

Feel free to add detailed comments in the body of the email.

Google
 
Web    
www.curtainup.com
Leonard Maltin's Classic Movie Guide
Leonard Maltin's 2008 Movie Guide


amazon
Sweeney Todd DVD

broadwaynewyork.com


The Broadway Theatre Archive>


amazon



©Copyright 2008,

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