Wicked in Both Senses of the Word
By Skip Sheffield
The world premiere of “Gloucester Blue” is some wicked good
fun as the second offering of Theatre at the Arts Garage, running through Feb.
17 at 180 NE First St. ,
Delray Beach
We had the privilege of attending opening night with the
great playwright Israel Horovitz in attendance. Horowitz has written some
tragic, gripping stuff in his huge (more than 70 plays) output of stage and cinema.
Horowitz also has a “wicked’ sense of humor. If you are from New
England the word wicked does not necessarily mean evil or
nefarious. It is more an adjective that means “extremely” or “very.”
Yes, “Gloucester Blue” is a very funny play, but it is also
wicked in the original definition of the word. All four characters are up to no
good, for different reasons.
The setting, by Stephen Placido, is an old packing house in
the historic blue-collar fishing village
of Gloucester
Stumpy (David Michael Sirois) is a battered, salt-of-the-earth
man who aspires for more. He is a painting contractor who has hired Latham
(Stephen G. Anthony), a fellow Massachusetts native with a shady past, as his
helper for a rush job for a wealthy couple.
Latham is a loud, outgoing type who loves the raucous local
favorites Aerosmith played at high volume. Stumpy prefers the intellectual
enrichment of NPR. The men spackle, sand and paint between banter. When the
wife of the owner, Lexi (Andrea Conte) makes her entrance, Latham can
immediately see there is hanky-panky going on. Sexy Lexi is a Harvard-educated
lawyer and daughter of a judge, but she like to walk on the wild side with the gratefully
accommodating Stumpy.
Lexi’s husband Bummy (Michael St. Pierre) is the archetypical
upper-class twit; born into wealth and privilege, but devoid of ambition or
maturity. Bummy also has his shady side, and with his pent-up rage, you just
know something is going to pop in this volatile situation.
There is something satisfying in seeing characters who “had
it coming” duly punished. “Gloucester Blue” is more farce than drama, but it is
highly entertaining highjinks and low-blows by adults who should know better. It
is no coincidence that Horovitz is much admired by the French, who appreciate
the fine art of farce.
Stephen G. Anthony is a hulking, large-framed actor with
keen intelligence; perfect for the role of the devious, dangerous Latham.
Andrea Conte is an actress not too shy to exude sex and desire, and Michael
St. Pierre is spot-on as a downtrodden soul only too happy to
sample forbidden fruit.
Bummy is a straw man impossible to admire or even sympathize
with, and Michael St. Pierre makes him as
insufferable as possible, short of making him a complete fool.
Louis Tyrrell has directed this agile quartet with deadly
accuracy for laughter most foul. As a side benefit, Sirois and Anthony are
honing home decorating skills that could come in handy between acting gigs.
Tickets are $30-$40. Call 561-450-6357 or go to www.artsgarage.org.
No comments:
Post a Comment