The Graduate
A play by Terry Johnson based on a novel by Charles Webb and a screenplay by Calder Willingham and Buck Henry
Directed by Mike Seely
A review
by Kate Barry
Entire
contents are copyright © 2013 Kate Barry. All rights reserved.
The Graduate is considered to be one of the most iconic movies of the 1960s. Dustin
Hoffman’s off-beat quirks and Ann Bancroft’s cool seductive charm made for
incredible chemistry, not to mention the soundtrack by Paul Simon and Art
Garfunkel was absolutely brilliant. In the 2000s, the play by the same name
made its way to London’s west end as well as the Broadway stage, this time with
Kathleen Turner and Jason Biggs in the lead roles. Although things are slightly
different in the stage version, the story of a young man who is fresh out of
college and his involvement with an older woman and how this effects and
changes his life remains the same. This weekend, Actors Choice Theater, in
partnership with Wayward Actors Company, premiered their rendition of the
comedy in the MeX Theater.
Directed
by Mike Seely, whose directing resume is already impressive with the likes of Equus and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, this production pays homage to the
film but also adds some original flair. What Seely and his company have done
with their show is create a world in which those classic songs by Simon and Garfunkel
enhance each emotion and situation Benjamin encounters, whether with Mrs.
Robinson, with her daughter Elaine, or with his angst regarding his own meanderings
in his post undergraduate haze. Musicians appear behind a screen in silhouette throughout
the scene changes. Bryce Blair, Jeff Ketterman, Randy Yeager and Mr. Seely
himself create the band for this production. Indeed, these live musical
interludes were a treat and I couldn’t help but sing along every time.
Dennis
Grinar plays Benjamin Braddock complete with a stammering nervous energy that
matures through the production. In past productions, Mr. Grinar has played
parts of more clowning nature involving outrageous behaviors. This role was a
nice change of pace, allowing him to show his range while still putting his
strong comedic timing to good use. As for Jennifer Shank as the seductress Mrs.
Robinson, Shank is dominant and forceful while maintaining reserve. As there
are many scenes involving sexual intercourse, Ms. Shank displays complete and
total confidence while bearing all not only to Benjamin but to the small
audience within the MeX. Scenes between Grinar and Shank contained chemistry
that was intimate without being familiar, while also holding on to an energy
that fueled the sexual exploration between the two characters.
Magdalen
Hartman plays Mrs. Robinson’s daughter Elaine, who catches Benjamin’s
affections. Ms. Hartman gives the sweetest portrayal of the production
especially in her drunken interactions with her mother and when she snacks on
cheerios with Benjamin. Phil Lynch plays Benjamin’s father with just enough
silliness and naïve authority to resemble fathers everywhere. R. Edward Dawson
plays Mr. Robinson. Whether he’s advising in investing in plastics, ironically giving
guidance on sewing wild oats or threating his life, scenes between Grinar and
Dawson were by far the strongest in the show. These two actors held onto the
dialogue’s clever wit and, when paired against each other, their timing made
these scenes very entertaining.
One final
note for the company was a concern about authenticity. I would hate to pin The Graduate down as a period piece exactly; nevertheless, the particulars of the
story seem rooted to the1960s, a time with very recognizable trends and
fashions. These styles were somewhat lost throughout this production. Costume
choices and set pieces were a bit too modern, giving a mixed aesthetic.
Anyone
who fell in love with The Graduate
will appreciate this production. Complete with hits from the movie’s soundtrack
and expert comedic actors, Actors Choice has put together a production worth
watching.
February
7-17, 2013
Actors
Choice Theater in partnership with Wayward Actors Company
The Mex Theatre
at The Kentucky Center for the Arts
501 W.
Main St.
Louisville, KY 40202
Louisville, KY 40202
Tickets: 502-584-7777
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