#1
Posted: 6/28/08 at 8:55pm
I think a lot of Christopher Durang's plays work better read than they do performed. "Bette and Boo" is a very difficult work to pull off. It's as hilariously funny as it is incredibly sad and (I feel that) Durang's script really requires that distinct dichotomy to overlap (which, in itself is a contradiction) for it to really work.
The cast finds much of the humor, but the only member who finds the pathos is Christopher Evan Welch. Welch plays BOO, married to BETTE (Kate Jennings Grant). Unhappily married - he's a drunk, she's a ditz who keeps calendars of days when he's half-drunk or dead drunk. Their son, Matt (Charles Socarides) narrates the events, which include 4 stillborn babies, dropped on the floor by the Doctor, and a marriage retreat with a Father who'd rather imitate bacon than answer the tough questions (Terry Beaver). Bette's sister Emily (Heather Burns) is prone to writing apology notes for any misstep, her father (Adam LeFevre) is a stroke victim who communicates in jibberish, her mother (Victoria Clark) and other sister (Zoe Lister-Jones). Boo's side of the family includes his drunk father (John Glover) and mother "the dumbest white woman alive" (Julie Hagerty).
What makes the play so sad is the fact that in reality, it's based on Durang's life: his father's alcoholism, his mother's having 3 stillbirths because of opposing blood types between her and her husband, and so forth.
It's a mixed bag - I've always loved the play and think it's very well-written, Walter Bobbie's direction for the hollow feeling I felt as I walked out. It's virtually an emotionless production, which does justice to the humor, but not the sadness.
Christopher Welch is the only one who really finds emotion. Terry Beaver is hilarious with an incredible deadpan delivery of nearly every line and Julie Hagerty has really honed her dumbness all these years. Bette's entire side of the family - Heather Burns, Zoe Lister-Jones, Victoria Clark, and Adam LeFevre are strong, as well. Interesting the stage picture - the entire family are tall and (the women) blonde except Lister-Jones, a petite brunette.
John Glover, I felt, played Karl too jokey and not at all threatening. Charles Socarides is a fine narrator, but not entirely compelling. Kate Jennings Grant is still trying to find a character and doesn't ilicit the emotion needed.
Interesting staging, though, staged with rotating panels and few props (which makes the line "you can't vacuum gravy" and the whole "gravy spilling on the rug" sequence bizarre, as there's no gravy or rug.)
Noticed Durang in the back, taking notes. Didn't see Bobbie.
The cast finds much of the humor, but the only member who finds the pathos is Christopher Evan Welch. Welch plays BOO, married to BETTE (Kate Jennings Grant). Unhappily married - he's a drunk, she's a ditz who keeps calendars of days when he's half-drunk or dead drunk. Their son, Matt (Charles Socarides) narrates the events, which include 4 stillborn babies, dropped on the floor by the Doctor, and a marriage retreat with a Father who'd rather imitate bacon than answer the tough questions (Terry Beaver). Bette's sister Emily (Heather Burns) is prone to writing apology notes for any misstep, her father (Adam LeFevre) is a stroke victim who communicates in jibberish, her mother (Victoria Clark) and other sister (Zoe Lister-Jones). Boo's side of the family includes his drunk father (John Glover) and mother "the dumbest white woman alive" (Julie Hagerty).
What makes the play so sad is the fact that in reality, it's based on Durang's life: his father's alcoholism, his mother's having 3 stillbirths because of opposing blood types between her and her husband, and so forth.
It's a mixed bag - I've always loved the play and think it's very well-written, Walter Bobbie's direction for the hollow feeling I felt as I walked out. It's virtually an emotionless production, which does justice to the humor, but not the sadness.
Christopher Welch is the only one who really finds emotion. Terry Beaver is hilarious with an incredible deadpan delivery of nearly every line and Julie Hagerty has really honed her dumbness all these years. Bette's entire side of the family - Heather Burns, Zoe Lister-Jones, Victoria Clark, and Adam LeFevre are strong, as well. Interesting the stage picture - the entire family are tall and (the women) blonde except Lister-Jones, a petite brunette.
John Glover, I felt, played Karl too jokey and not at all threatening. Charles Socarides is a fine narrator, but not entirely compelling. Kate Jennings Grant is still trying to find a character and doesn't ilicit the emotion needed.
Interesting staging, though, staged with rotating panels and few props (which makes the line "you can't vacuum gravy" and the whole "gravy spilling on the rug" sequence bizarre, as there's no gravy or rug.)
Noticed Durang in the back, taking notes. Didn't see Bobbie.
Updated On: 6/28/08 at 08:55 PM
