Merkerson's Lola Broadway bound in SHEBA

[Auggie27]

Posted: 8/16/07 at 1:22pm

I'm pleased to read of this revival. It's become very chic to kick the works of William Inge -- the NY Times goes out of its way, via Rich, Brantley, and more recently, Isherwood, (Chicago's DARK AT THE TOP OF THE STAIRS) to tell us that Inge's reputation wasn't earned. I still disagree, and think he captured the midwest with an uncanny ear, and wrote some of the most memorable portraits of "lives of quiet desperation" ever created.

It will be interesting to see the play staged with an African-Amercan Lola. Will it be more 110 IN THE SHADE, with inter-racial casting, or more ON GOLDEN POND, revisited as the experience of a black family.

I do think the press release is semi-wrong, or at least splitting hairs -- stating that there's been no revival since the 50s. The Roundabout did one (loathed by Rich) with Shirley Knight and Phillip Bosco. Technically not Broadway, but major NY venue.

[Katurian2]

Posted: 8/16/07 at 1:27pm

I am so excited for this! I don't care who's cast in it, I love this play! "Come back little Sheba, come back!"

[sidneybruhl]

Posted: 8/16/07 at 4:35pm

I was very excited to hear this as I am a huge fun of Inge and am planning a trip to NYC in January.

Posted: 8/16/07 at 6:20pm

i was a little jealous when i read about it in LA.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 8/16/07 at 8:01pm

Apparently played with a white Doc in LA. I tend to think the play will be more compelling, and the race less noticable, if it is color-blind, i.e. a mixed class. Otherwise, it could turn the story of Doc and Lola into a comment on any number of things Inge didn't intend, and would feel shoe-horned in (Doc's alcoholism and the socio-economic plight of the Delaney family are very specific to the era.) But I will remain open-minded, and who knows, perhaps it would work either way. Mainly, I welcome a chance to see Inge done well. The Roundabound revival of PICNIC a decade ago was summer stock-ish, and lacking strong character work.

Off targe, but not: anyone remember the fascinating production of SUMMER BRAVE in 76? The original PICNIC, revisited, without a happy ending. It had a luminous Jill Eikenberry as Madge, Ernest Thompson as Hal, and Alexis Smith (disappointing but worthy) as Rosemary. It made a persuasive case, and reminded me of pitting Williams' ECCENTRICITIES OF A NIGHTINGALE against SUMMER AND SMOKE. Each version has admirers.

Perhaps Merkerson moves us farther away from Ms. Booth -- whose Lola is so definitive, it's hard to pick up the script and not hear her readings. I have the DVD, rewatched it recently, and it's just as heartbreaking. She is magnificent, her eyes always infused with pain and an odd manic look.