Oscar E Moore

LEGENDARY THEATRICAL “AD MAN”

FRANK “FRAVER” VERLIZZO

LAUNCHES FRAVER.COM

FIRST-OF-ITS KIND WEBSITE OFFERS INSIDER’S GLIMPSE INTO MODERN THEATER HISTORY THROUGH SOME OF THE GREATEST ADVERTISING IMAGES EVER CREATED FOR THE STAGE

FRANK “FRAVER” VERLIZZO – Posters designed by Fraver (the moniker he uses to sign his work – taken from the first three letters of his first name and last name) hang on the office walls of virtually every major theatrical producer and institution over the last quarter century. 

Theatrical advertising giant Frank “Fraver” Verlizzo is offering theater fans a never-before-seen glimpse into his world with the launch of a new website, Fraver.com.  Designed as a visual, interactive memoir, Fraver allows visitors to view more than one hundred of his favorite poster designs and provides fascinating, at times titillating, background stories for each one.  The website is free to use, easy to navigate, and provides insight into a rarely-viewed, but all-too-vital, aspect of the theater industry.

Frank Verlizzo - photo credit: Joan Marcus

Having created poster art for over 300 Broadway and Off Broadway productions, including some of the most memorable designs in theatre history, Fraver’s indelible mark on the landscape of the American theater is widely recognized throughout the industry.  In 1987, Fraver received a Special Drama Desk Award “for inspired artwork for theatrical productions,” an honor never before bestowed in the area of theatrical advertising. Peter Marks, in The New York Times, said of his work, “The images Mr. Verlizzo creates become a part of the production’s permanent record.  The rest could very well be theatrical history.”  Fraver’s unforgettable designs include the original Broadway productions of Sweeney Todd, Sunday in the Park with George, The Lion King and Ira Levin’s Deathtrap. 

 www.fraver.com

Tags:   Frank "Fraver" VerlizzoComments Off on FRAVER.COM – Theatrical Poster Art – a must go to .com

Laura Linney and Brian d'Arcy James

In “Time Stands Still” by Donald Margulies we have four contemporary people who are trying to put their lives back together under the stable and subtle direction of Daniel Sullivan.  A Manhattan Theatre Club production at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, running through March 14^th.

There is Sarah (Laura Linney) a photo journalist who is returning from her latest assignment after being hit by a road side bomb.  She has visible scars, walks with a leg brace and a crutch, has attitude and is foremost worried about her cameras as she comes home to Williamsburg, Brooklyn with her journalist boyfriend of eight and a half years, James (Brian d’Arcy James) who is recovering from some sort of mental breakdown after seeing some women blown up right before his eyes. 

Yes, war is hell especially on the front lines where these two write and photograph the indecencies of war.  Where they are there only to record life and not change it.  They are both broken to some extent and in “Time Stands Still” we see them trying to recover their lives singly and together and trying to decide what to do next.

There is Sarah’s editor Richard (Eric Bogosian) who has replaced his long time girl friend with a much younger, seemingly unaware and naïve Mandy (Alicia Silverstone) an events planner. 

They supply most of the humor in this otherwise serious treatise on marriage, career aspirations, caring for a loved one who is wounded, happiness, whether it is correct to make a living documenting the suffering of others, replacing real horror with fake horror and the debate over unwed people having the right to decide what happens to their other half in a hospital.  Lots of territory is covered here.   It is very interestingly and intelligently written.  And expertly performed by the four actors.

They all undergo some change during the course of the two acts and that is very satisfying to see.  Maybe not as satisfying for the characters as some of the changes are not exactly what they expected.

On another functional and appropriate unit set designed by John Lee Beatty (who seems to have a monopoly in this field) the scenes flow nicely, aided by the original music of Peter Golub and lighting design by Peter Kaczorowski.  But you go to see this show for the performances.  You will not be disappointed.

Laura Linney has the spunk, sarcasm and vulnerability necessary to bring Sarah to painful life.  Reminiscent of the high standard of acting from Meryl Streep, Ms. Linney holds our attention, giving a finely layered, moving performance.  Mr. d’Arcy James exposes his torment with coming to grips with his career and life with strong and sensitive pulling him in opposing directions.  Eric Bogosian imbues his character with warmth and humor as his young girlfriend (Alicia Silverstone) acts the foil in bringing up some serious topics and is delightful as she matures as the plot, little as there is, thickens.   

There aren’t many fireworks going off here, despite all the talk of war.  But there are some very interesting and entertaining thoughts that provoke us into thinking about these wounded and recovering souls.   www.ManhattanTheatreClub.com  Photo credit: Joan Marcus

Tags:   Alicia Silverstone · Brian D'Arcy James · Daniel Sullivan · Donald Margulies · Eric Bogosian · Laura LinneyNo Comments.

Musicals for children have certainly come a long way.  So have children for that matter.  “Tea With Chachaji” with book and lyrics by Gwynne Watkins with Music by Denver Casado based on the book “Chachaji’s Cup” by Uma Krishnaswami with illustrations by Souyma Sitaraman is a prime example.  It is a total family musical.  Meaning it is about family and for families.  An hour long excursion into the legends and heart and soul of India that is fun, intelligent, imaginative, inspirational and informative.

In its 14^th season of presenting shows based on children’s literature – Making Books Sing is an organization that should be commended and applauded and better known.  They do extraordinary work as witnessed by “Tea With Chachaji” a five character musical filled with the colors and rhythms of India that amazes and inspires.

Neel (Raja Burrows) a ten year old boy who lives in Jackson Heights with his mother (Stephanie Klemons) and great uncle Chachaji (Tony Mirrcandani) who shares stories (some happy; some sad) after tea – with a special teacup that his mother Anya (Soneela Nankani) bravely brought from India when the country was divided in two after the Partition of 1947 – wants desperately to be a Bollywood star and a doctor – living six months in America and six months in India.  His best friend Daniel (Jose Sepulveda) is a Latino and basketball fanatic.  It is the collision of these two world’s that make up this fascinating and conflicted story told with lively song and dance – directed and choreographed by Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj with video projections by Cory Einbinder that complement the tale of the tea cup.

Raja Burrows is completely believable as the young boy who turns 13 in the course of the hour long presentation.  He is lively, has a clear voice and manages to mature before our eyes.  The teller of the tales, Mr. Mirrcandani has a deep soothing voice that is perfect for the role of the storyteller explaining to Neel and to us that “until someone we know needs help, you do not know what we can do” – our capabilities are discovered when we need them most.  A wonderful lesson to be learned.  Jose Sepulveda is a charmer who tries his best to understand a foreign culture while sharing his with Neel.  Both women are beautiful in their look and manner – urging us to be strong and to study hard so that we can achieve our dreams without “breaking”. 

Traditions, obligations, determination and discovery of ancestry are all part of this wonderfully imagined story.

See www.makingbookssing.org  for February performance schedule in Manhattan, Brooklyn and California.   Tickets $16.00

Tags:   Making Books SingComments Off on Tea With Chachaji – A “Making Books Sing” presentation

At the very intimate fifty three seat Dorothy Strelsin Theatre located at 312 West 36^th Street “Phantom Killer” is having its world premiere, running through February 14th.  I strongly suggest you see this fine production.

Playwright Jan Buttram goes for the gold and just about reaches her goal with an extremely up close and personal story involving a young married couple, Luke (Jon McCormick) and Jessie (Wrenn Schmidt) out for a ride having stopped on a deserted country road to escape her mother who has murdered her husband and the brutal Texas heat circa 1946.  Only problem is that there is a serial killer lurking in the vicinity.

“Phantom Killer” is a well written eighty minute, extremely well acted and beautifully executed study of three people whose lives intersect on this suspenseful and tense evening.  The third character is Randy, a Texas Ranger (Denny Bess) who is searching for the killer when he chances upon Luke and Jessie.  Nothing is as it seems and Ms. Buttram keeps you riveted on the fate of all three characters.

The small space has been transformed into this spooky dirt road, replete with a 1940 Dodge Coupe.  The design team has enhanced the play by providing the necessary atmosphere.  Set designer David B. Ogle, costume designer Kimberly Matela, lighting designer Travis McHale and sound designer David Margolin Lawson must be commended for providing all the right touches to make this a must see show.

But it is the superb acting (particularly that of Wrenn Schmidt who has that intangible star quality) that brings this story based on true events to vivid life.  And the sensitive direction by Jules Ochoa.  Every nuance of character has been carefully extracted from his actors.  He keeps us guessing, wondering what will happen next.

“Phantom Killer” is taut, sexy and suspenseful done Texas style.  You may be reminded of another Texas couple – Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker who were also young, on the run and had their own memorable run in with the law.

Tickets $25.00  www.abingtontheatre.org  212 868-2055

Tags:   Denny Bess · Jan Buttram · Jon McCormick · Jules Ochoa · Wrenn SchmidtComments Off on Phantom Killer – taut, sexy and suspenseful

Disappointing.  Despite the jaw dropping, ultra dazzling, decadent and unfortunately overpowering deco duplex set designed by Alexander Dodge which elicits gasps of approval and applause from the audience when the first act curtain rises on Noel Coward’s classic comedy at the American Airlines Theatre presented by the Roundabout Theatre Company – Present Laughter ultimately should be starring Victor Garber and not the set which not only grabs your attention but threatens to hold onto it as the plot slowly unwinds, characters are introduced and relationships set up during the tired first act.  It’s a slow going affair.

Not until Act II and III does the farcical element kick in despite the introduction in Act I of the nervous and eager playwright, Roland Maule (Brooks Ashmanskas – who all but mauls anyone to whom he offers his firm hand shake). 

If only the entire production took flight as he does, racing around the stage, all a twitter, slapping his own hands when he does not approve of his own actions, voicing his adoration of the “always acting” Garry Essendine (Victor Garber) the ego centric, suave, afraid of aging, money making star that keeps his entire retinue able to live the deluxe lifestyle to which they have all become accustomed.

He is off to tour Africa to fill the coffers, but not before he is forced to face the reality of his world weary life and deal with his newest overnight conquest who has lost her latchkey Daphne Stillington (a delightful Holley Fain who captures the spirit of the comedy and her character right on), his almost ex wife Liz Essendine (a no nonsense, practical, accepting and understanding Lisa Banes who knows what’s right for tout le monde) his faithful secretary of seventeen years Monica (an expertly funny Harriet Harris) Fred, his manservant (a jaunty James Joseph O’Neil) and his maid Miss Erikson (Nancy E. Carroll – who has been directed to voice most of her unintelligible lines with a cigarette dangling from her lips as she very slowly cleans up), his producer Henry Lyppiatt (Richard Poe) whose predatory wife Joanna (Pamela Jane Gray – wearing the most fabulous black and white outfits designed by Jane Greenwood – knock offs should be made instantly available to anyone who wants to look like a glamorous star) has targeted Essendine as her newest lover while carrying on an affair with Morris (Marc Vietor) his manager.  It’s all rather too much for Essendine to deal with – claiming he’d rather be alone.

Mr. Garber seems the perfect choice for the role.  But something is amiss here.  We don’t care for him really and I think we should despite his childlike tantrums, his preening and his I can do anything I like attitude.  He fills his silk pajamas nicely along with his dressing gowns and has some extremely funny moments but the sadness that he hides is hidden too well underneath the circus of his life.

Nicholas Martin has directed this fun but uneven production that has enabled Alice Duffy as Lady Saltburn to make her first New York appearance.  She has one of the best moments of the evening.  Good for her!  www.roundabouttheatre.org

Tags:   Brooks Ashmanskas · Harriet Harris · Nicholas Martin · Victor GarberNo Comments.

In a season chock full of revivals – some star studded and some not – some of which have already closed having garnered rave reviews, we now have a splendid, straightforward, solid and emotionally satisfying production of Arthur Miller’s classic A View From the Bridge playing at the Cort Theatre. 

Harkening back to 1950’s Red Hook Brooklyn, where when you expect guests in this Italian neighborhood under the Brooklyn Bridge you might wash the walls.   Such beautiful details are rampant in this superbly directed drama by Gregory Mosher, starring an ensemble cast that delivers the goods led by Liev Schreiber, Scarlett Johansson and Jessica Hecht (late of Brighton Beach Memoirs – one of this seasons unfortunate victims of an untimely closing notice).

Another actor from that doomed production, Santino Fontana, was to appear as Rodolpho but had to withdraw due to an accident – making it possible for Morgan Spector to take over for him.  As much as I was looking forward to seeing Mr. Fontana – who gave a wonderful performance in Brighton Beach Memoirs, Mr. Spector is excellent in the role of the Italian cousin who enters the States illegally with his brother Marco (Corey Stoll) seeking a better life.  They are offered a place to stay in the home of Beatrice (Jessica Hecht) and Eddie Carbone (Live Schreiber) where their orphaned seventeen year old niece Catherine (Scarlett Johansson) also resides.  When Rodolpho and Catherine begin to fall in love, an overprotective Eddie targets him for destruction.

On a realistic and towering set by master designer John Lee Beatty this tragic tale of unfulfilled dreams and lust unfolds seamlessly as it revolves to the different locales enabling the narrator Alfieri (Michael Cristofer) to slip in and out of recounting the story and being a part of the story as the lawyer that Eddie goes to for advice – doing an outstanding job with a role that could easily not make much of an impact.

But it is Liev Schreiber who emerges on top as the frustrated and tortured soul whose love for his wife has waned with the blossoming maturity of his niece; his jealously of Rodolpho careening out of control until the tragic denouement.  He gives a tough, tender and altogether enthralling performance.

Scarlett Johansson is perfect as she slowly finds her independence, giving a nuanced and heartfelt look into the soul of her character.  As is Jessica Hecht who does all that she can to save her husband, her marriage and her niece.  Her desperation is quiet moving.

Surprising enough there is a lot of humor mined in the first act – where at times Eddie appears to be the forerunner to Archie Bunker, sitting in his armchair, head of the household while demeaning Rodolpho as a guy who isn’t right.  As it turns out, the in denial Eddie is the guy who isn’t right.

See this production.   It’s Arthur Miller done to perfection.  www.aviewfromthebridgeonbroadway.com

Tags:   Arthur Miller · Corey Stoll · Gregory Mosher · Jessica Hecht · Liev Schreiber · Michael Cristofer · Morgan Spector · Scarlett JohanssonComments Off on A View From the Bridge – Superb Revival

Vayu O'Donnell, Will Petre, Leif Huckman

Be wary of two act plays that are performed without an intermission.  There is a reason.  The Picture of Dorian Gray, a dismal and dull dramatization based on the classic Gothic horror novel by Oscar Wilde which has just opened at the Kirk Theatre at Theatre Row as adapted by Daniel Mitura has no escape clause, so to speak.  So you are stuck in your seat until the bitter end.

The production, directed by Henning Hegland, is languid and lackluster with a superimposed style that has the six actor ensemble on stage at all times, moving in slow motion – mostly in silhouette with creepy music separating the sixteen scenes, taking place “nominally” in 19^th century Britain but looking very much like some trendy clothing boutique in Soho – where various male outfits are hanging on the walls of the theatre stage left and right just waiting for the actors to change into for the passage of 18 years between Act I and II.  With a bit of white powder rubbed through their hair to age them.

The point being made that what Wilde wrote about then is just as true today.  Physical beauty must come first.  Eternal youth is the answer.  Don’t squander youth.  Live.

And so the handsome Dorian (Wil Petre) who has had his portrait painted by Basil (Leif Huckman) begins to follow the advice of Lord Henry Wotton (Vayu O’Donnell) who is the voice of Oscar Wilde – espousing his wit and witticisms – criticizing society and the foibles of its populace, leading Dorian down the path of self indulgence.  Dorian falls in love with actress Sybil Vane (Christina Broccolini) and takes Basil and Henry to see her perform – badly (since she found love with Dorian she lost her ability to act).  This role was played by Angela Lansbury in the 1945 film version.  Ms. Lansbury is still going strong.  And so it goes until Dorian somehow wills the portrait to age while he forever keeps youthful, ruining lives along the way.  The brother of Sybil, James (Jade Rothman) threatens Dorian and a friend, Alan Campbell (Kaolin Bass) is enlisted to dispose of the body in the closet that Dorian has murdered.

All the actors are rather stiff and have no human connection whatsoever.  There is little passion and less wit.  The dialogue supplied by Mr. Mitura sounds unconvincing and unnatural coming from these contemporary actors.  Coming out by rote and not out of character.

When they go to see Sybil in Romeo and Juliet, Henry (whose amusement with himself becomes wearing) states that he loves acting – which gets the best laugh of the otherwise somber evening and that Miss Vane (what an ironic name) is awful – explaining that actors take the first act to warm up.  The actors in The Picture of Dorian Gray unfortunately remained tepid throughout.  

Through February 6^th.  Tickets $18.00   www.DorianGrayPlay.com

Photo:  Ofer Zimdni

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What was secretly done behind closed doors, cuddled up on a ratty upholstered La-Z-Boy in front of a vintage television set, watching the latest of his dad’s XXX porno tapes on the DVD, surrounded by wads of tissues while his parents were not around, Andrew Goffman is now performing live, in front of a voyeuristic audience Friday and Saturday nights through March 6^th at The Players Theatre at 115 MacDougal Street in the heart of Greenwich Village.

Make that upstairs at The Players Theatre.  Two flights of stairs get you into the inner sanctum of Mr. Goffman’s fantasy world of porno, his sex life and his marriage in this audacious one man candid confessional – The Accidental Pervert.

It is a bold, honest, unique, taboo-breaking, laugh filled evening of Mr. Goffman exposing his private inner porno life after discovering, at the age of eleven, his dad’s secret stash of sex tapes hidden in the back of the closet – with such names as “Chitty Chitty Gang Bang” “Little Oral Annie” and Saturday Night Beaver” which gave him a tainted view of women until he met his wife and fathered a daughter.

With a disarming smile and a sly glint in his eye he takes us on his journey of self discovery where a steady diet of porn left him hungry for the real thing – which he is proud to admit that he quickly fulfilled.  He also gives a lively demonstration on how he learned to masturbate without using his hands.

He is brave, irreverent and kind in his storytelling.  If he had been a Boy Scout his merit badge on the way to becoming Eagle would be “expert in porno tapes”.

Mr. Goffman has been ably directed by Charles Messina who keeps the action moving in the small space with the many changes of shirts, lights, sound cues, props and projections.  One of which is pointed right out at the audience from within his boxer shorts.

It seems it takes a village to pull off this one man show.  With the many people behind the scenes involved.  What could have become pathetic and sleazy emerges as a truly honest coming of age story of this accidental pervert.  The ultimate profile in courage.

Tickets $30.00    www.TheAccidentalPervert.com

Tags:   Andrew Goffman · Charles MessinaComments Off on The Accidental Pervert – The Power of Porn Off Off B’way

Tuesday, January 12th, 2010 – “A lot important things became unimportant today”

Help for Haiti: Watch live hourly updates starting at 9:00 a.m on Channel 7 and 7online.com on Friday. Click here.

Here’s a list of organizations accepting donations to help Haiti:

AMERICAN RED CROSS

• Text “HAITI” to “90999” to make a $10 donation. The amount will be added to your next phone bill. The organization is also accepting donations through its International Response Fund.
• 2025 E Street, NW
  Washington, DC 20006
• (800) REDCROSS (800-257-7575)
• www.redcross.org
• INTERACTIONInterAction, a coalition of U.S.-based international non-governmental organizations, has a list of agencies responding and how to donate to them. Find it here: http://www.interaction.org/crisis-list/earthquake-haiti
• WYCLEF JEAN’S HAITIAN YELETo donate $5 to Wyclef Jean’s Haitian Yele charity, text 501501. The money will be added to your next phone bill.
• To find out how to help the International Rescue Committee, visit www.theIRC.org or call toll free, 1-877-REFUGEE.
• US DEPARTMENT OF STATE
  The State Department has set up a toll-free number to call for information about family members in Haiti: 1-888-407-4747. www.state.govSecretary of State Clinton has set up an aid line that people can use to send money to support Haiti relief similar to what was set up to support refugees in Pakistan earlier this year. Cell phone users can text “haiti” to 90999 and $10 will go to relief efforts in Haiti. The $10 will show up on your phone bill.
• AMERICARES
  88 Hamilton Avenue
  Stamford, Conn. 06902
  (800) 486-4357
  www.americares.org
• MERCY CORPS
  Dept. W
  P.O. Box 2669
  Portland, Ore., 97208-2669
  (888) 256-1900
  donate.mercycorps.org
• OXFAM AMERICA
  226 Causeway St., 5th Floor
  Boston, MA 02114-2206
  (800) 77-OXFAM (776-9326)
• THE SALVATION ARMY
  615 Slaters Lane
  P.O. Box 269
  Alexandria, VA 22313
• SAVE THE CHILDREN
  Haiti Earthquake Children in Emergency Fund
  54 Wilton Road
  Westport, Conn. 06880
  (800) 728-3843
• WORLD VISION
  Haiti Earthquake Relief
  P.O. Box 9716
  Federal Way, Wash. 98063-9716
  (888) 511-6548
• CARE
  151 Ellis Street
  Atlanta, Ga. 30303
  (800) 521-CARE (521-2273)
• DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS USA/MEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES (MSF)
  333 7th Avenue, 2nd Floor
  New York, NY 10001-5004
  (888) 392-0392
• INTERNATIONAL ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHARITIES
  P.O. Box 630225
  Baltimore, Md. 21263-0225
  (877) 803-4622
• U.S. FUND FOR UNICEF
  125 Maiden Lane
  New York, N.Y. 10038
• (800) FOR-KIDS (367-5437)
• FOOD FOR THE POOR
  www.foodforthepoor.org
• CONCERN
  Donation Phone #: 800 59-CONCERN
  Donation Address:
  104 East 40th Street, Room 903
  New York, NY, 10016
  www.concern-worldwide.orgConcern Worlwide US calls on the public for urgent support to allow the agency to provide food, water, shelter and medicine as the immediate priority for those that have survived the catastrophe.
• CATHOLIC MEDICAL MISSION BOARD

Monetary contributions can be made by sending checks, payable to CMMB-Haiti, to CMMB, 10 West 17th Street, New York City, New York 10011, or by calling 1 800 678 5659. Pledges can also be made via the CMMB website, where an ad appears, cmmb.org, or by a direct web link: http://support.cmmb.org/Haiti.

Donated medicines and medical supplies are also being accepted by CMMB. To make these donations, please contact Kathy Tebbett, at 1 212 242 7757.

• NEW JERSEY FOR HAITI

For information on how to support or donate to the relief effort, please visit www.nj4haiti.org or call Jefferson Park Ministries at 908-629-0041. Jefferson Park Ministries will also be holding grief counseling every night starting Thursday, January 14 from 6-10 p.m. at Madison Avenue in Elizabeth, New Jersey.

• UNICEFCall 1-800-4UNICEF or visit secure.unicefusa.org
• OPERATION USAOperation USA is appealing for donations of funds from the public and corporate donations in bulk of health care materials, water purification supplies and food supplements, which it will ship to the region from its base in the Port of Los Angeles.

  To make a donation, by phone call 1-800-678-7255 or online at www.opusa.org.

  Send a check to:
  Operation USA
  3617 Hayden Ave, Suite A
  Culver City, CA 90232

• STILLERSTRONGBen Stiller’s Stillerstrong campaign will temporarily diverting all donations to support the Haiti relief effort.

  To make a donation, www.stillerstrong.org

• MERCY CORPSMercy Corps is sending a team of emergency responders to assess damage, and seek to fulfill immediate needs of quake survivors.

  To make a donation, visit www.mercycorps.org/haiti. To donate by phone call 1-888-256-1900

  Send a check to:
  Mercy Corps Haiti Earthquake Fund; Dept NR
  P.O. Box 2669
  Portland, OR 97208

• DIRECT RELIEFDirect Relief is committing up to $1 million in aid for the response and is coordinating with its other in-country partners and colleague organizations. Their partners in Haiti include Partners in Health, St. Damien Children’s Hospital, and the Visitation Hospital, which are particularly active in emergency response.

  To make a donation, click here.

• INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL CORPSTo make a donation, please visit www.imcworldwide.org.

Tags:   American Red Cross · HaitiComments Off on HELP HAITI

Can racism be entertaining?  In the hands of David Mamet who has both written and directed “Race” his new compact, one hundred minute provocative play with an intermission and pregnant pause between the concise two scenes that make up Act II – which is now playing at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre – the answer is a resounding, surprising and disturbing yes.

With what lawyers charge per hour, “Race” is a bargain deal.  And well worth a visit.  David Mamet raises lots of questions and gives mighty few answers.  All with taught, intelligent and racist humor that you might be asking yourself – “Why am I laughing at this?”

The “this” referring to some of the words used to describe black women and their private parts.  And the true prejudicial feelings that all the characters at one time or another vent.  “Race” is a well plotted and tricky study in the “he said, she said” vein.

Charles Strickland (a smug Richard Thomas) is wealthy, white, married and famous.  He has been accused by his black girl friend of rape.  He claims he is innocent.  Sex was consensual.  He has just come from another lawyer who for some reason did not want to represent him and so we find him auditioning in front of two other lawyers – the white Jack Lawson (a terrific James Spader in his most cynical Boston Public persona) and the black Henry Brown (white hot with a chip on his shoulder David Alan Grier).  Lurking in the background, quietly observing, perched on a shelf lined with legal books in a vast conference room of the firm (a detailed and perfect set by Santo Loquasto) is the newly hired Susan (an intriguing Kerry Washington).  She is young, beautiful, sharp and black.  Showing lots of leg.

Will they take the stoic and problematic Strickland on as a client?  Is he innocent?  If they do take him on how will they present his case?  How will they put on a better show for the jury?  It’s a fascinating look at what transpires between lawyers and their clients.   Finely acted by all.  And very interestingly directed.  Not static at all.  They are thinking on their feet.  Fast with the comeback.  Fast with the slurs.

Mamet moves his actors as if they are chess pieces.  Unobtrusively moving them here and there creating interesting stage pictures to complement the great dialogue resulting in a visual and aural treat.

Then there is the question of evidence.  A red sequin dress.   The mysterious, all important red sequin dress.  For full disclosure you’ll have to see “Race”.  Go and find out what really happened in that hotel room that night of the alleged rape.  Racism has never been more entertaining.

www.raceonbroadway.com

Tags:   David Alan Grier · David Mamet · James Spader · Kerry Washington · Richard ThomasComments Off on Mamet’s Race on Broadway