Tracy Baim

'Love Person' at Victory Gardens

Love Person is a wonderful new play at Victory Gardens Theater, and you just have a few more chances to see its Chicago premiere.

This is a lesbian love story with a few twists: one partner is hearing, the other Deaf. The play is told in American Sign Language, English and Sanskrit, plus much of its dialogue is projected on to the well-designed scenery. This multi-layered play, by Aditi Brennan Kapil, offers an enjoyable look into the issues of language, communication, and loneliness even within the bonds of a relationship.

In the theater's Victory Magazine, Kapil said: "With Love Person, I wanted to explore language as the initial point of attraction, to pit people completely unsuited to be lovers against each other, and see what happened. The connection between a Deaf lesbian woman and a straight Sanskrit scholar is not an easy or natural fit, and that is beautiful to me. The connection between a Sanskrit scholar and a trash-talking, twice-divorced waitress is unlikely, making that journey beautiful to me. And creating such unlikely partners in love allows me to explore my actual question--what exactly is it that attracts us to other people?"

The play is directed beautifully by Sandy Shinner and the four cast members fit their roles well, especially Deaf actor Liz Tannebaum as Free, the central character torn between her real-life love for Maggie (Arlene Malinowski) and her "fake" and deceptive email affair with Ram (Rajesh Bose), who believes he is communicating with Free's sister Vic (Cheryl Graeff).  

While the first act drags just a bit, the growth of the characters carries the play to a strong and emotional finish in the second act. This is definitely a play worth seeing, and it was also terrific to see it with several Deaf audience members, including some Deaf/hearing lesbian couples. Don't miss your chance to see this Chicago premiere at Victory Gardens. Call (773) 871-3000 or see http://www.victorygardens.org.

 

Spangler shines in 'Lettice'

Bev Spangler is simply fantastic as the lead character in Lettice and Lovage, which unfortunately had a short run and ends tonight, Saturday, at the Stage Center Theatre at Northeastern Illinois University. If you are able to go tonight, I highly recommend the play, which is well written but takes a superb actor to conquer the physical, emotional and quick-witted character of Lettice. All I can say is wow! Written by Peter Shaffer, the play is directed by Anna Antaramian. Lori Grupp does a fine job opposite Spangler and Lisa Cantwell does a very fun mousy Miss Framer. Last show Sat., May 2, 7:30 p.m., 5500 N. St. Louis Ave., Bldg F, $10, cash only, 773-442-4274.

Bev is a friend -- she wrote and starred in the stage play Half Life several years ago, based on my novel. She also has a cameo in the upcoming film Hannah Free, starring Sharon Gless. But believe me, while I have always been a big fan of her acting, this role is a tour de force.

Dennehy's Show Goes On

Thanks to my dad being a big theater fan, I sometimes go to shows I normally wouldn't first choose to see. Such was the case tonight (Feb. 17) in seeing the Goodman Theatre's Desire Under the Elms, part of an amazing slate of plays as part of the festival of Eugene O'Neill plays. Film, TV and stage star Brian Dennehy plays Ephraim Cabot, and TV and film star Carla Gugino was in her last night as Abbie Putnam. 

I do love theater, and especially the Goodman, but am not a big fan of macho American white male playwrights. However, I can appreciate terrific acting, writing and staging, and Desire Under the Elms is a wonderful work of art. The sets are amazing, with a house coming down from the rafters that would make the Wicked Witch scream. Big boulders, great lighting, and intricate timing of sets moving in and out, up and down.

Near to the end of the play, Dennehy, who is 70 and playing 76, lost his balance in a tricky area of the stage, and he fell 5-7 feet straight down the side of a platform, onto the lower stage. The audience was in shock as he landed hard on his shoulder, and his cast mate Pablo Schreiber (playing Eben Cabot) came to his aide. The house lights came up, but old pro Dennehy waved them off and said something like "Let's go." 

Never mind the pain he must have felt, he went on -- he joked quickly but went right back into character. The audience applauded. He had more lines, and several more very physical scenes, including a fall backwards. And rightfully, he and the others drew a standing ovation at the end of the play.

It was a great lesson in theater and life. The show must go on. You sometimes fall down, fail, or lose. But you pick yourself up, bruises and all, and keep performing your lines.

Check out the O'Neill fest -- I am especially curious about the lengthy Strange Interlude performed by The Neo-Futurists. I don't think I could take more than five hours of O'Neill, but I would highly recommended it anyway!

A statement released from Goodman Feb. 18:

At the Tuesday, February 17, 7:30pm performance, Brian Dennehy (who
portrays Ephraim Cabot in Desire Under the Elms) tumbled from the raised
platform of the set down to the set's main level in the scene during
which Ephraim thanks God for his newborn baby. According to Mr. Dennehy,
"It was a stupid mistake. I was trying to play beyond my own means, and
my knees don't allow the lateral movement I used to have. I lost my
balance, and took a spill."  Mr. Dennehy, who fell a couple of feet down
while holding the swaddled infant (a prop), immediately collected
himself and joked with the stunned audience "The baby is not injured!"
He insisted the show go on, and he finished the performance to a
standing ovation.  Though bruised and sore, Mr. Dennehy is recovering,
and will appear in the two scheduled performances today-Wednesday,
February 18, at 12 noon and 7:30pm. 

In related good news for the show, Goodman announced Feb. 20 that Desire Under the Elms, directed by Robert Falls, will transfer to Broadway, with previews April 14, full opening April 27 at the St. James Theatre. The original cast will stay intact.