Duk Kim

Spiffily attired in modern dress that is simultaneously elegant and sporty, the pair irresistibly draw us into reveling in their delight and reverence as they recall the glory and triumphs of these actors. Additionally, these serious theatre and social historians stimulate and grip us as they share their consternation at the difficulties which unjust historic situations and attitudes have brought upon their subjects.

The play excerpts, all clearly and concisely placed in context, include Macbeth, Julius Caesar, Othello, and Euripides' The Trojan Woman. Each scene is performed with power and passion. Particularly compelling is the tragic historical Civil War era narrative concerning the Booth brothers, Edwin, John Wilkes, and Junius Brutus, Jr.

Scenic designer Bob Phillips' handsome production provides a red velvet covering for the stage platform, back stage wall, and the side walls of the intimate "black box" theatre. All of the walls are adorned with paintings, photographs, and other museum quality memorabilia of great classic stage actors from the personal collection of Mr. Kim and Ms. Occhiogrosso. Digital projections of theatrical and historic events and personages are digitally projected onto a large screen to enhance the performance. Early arrival is recommended for, when you enter the auditorium, you will be guided to view the extensive exhibit of this magnificent collection.

The highlight of the evening comes in its final section. It is here that our performers sit downstage and tell us in an informal manner of their personal, extended relationship with the actor whom they regard as their mentor, Morris Carnovsky and his wife Phoebe Brand. A stalwart of the Group Theatre, Carnovsky had a remarkable stage and film career which hit a bump in the road when he was blacklisted in the early 1950s. Shortly thereafter, he returned to the stage, where he soon became a Shakespearian actor receiving acclaim over a period of many years for a large number of roles, notably including King Lear. It is during these ensuing years that ... well, of course, that begins a story that is for Mr. Kim and Ms. Occhiogrosso to tell. And a privilege it is to hear them tell it. As they share it with us, it feels as if they have welcomed us into their home and warmly and delightedly made us their intimate friends. At the end of our time together, I wanted to be invited back for a full evening schmooze during which they would share more stories of a life in the theatre of those richly talented Shakespearians, Anne Occhiogrosso and Randall Duk Kim.

Then Came Each Actor is a enriching, delightful journey into theatre history which will warm the hearts of all who cherish the art of theatre.

Then Came Each Actor, a tribute conceived and performed by Randall Duk Kim and Anne Occhiogrosso (world premiere), continues performances through April 26, 2015 (Evenings: Thursday 7:30 pm; Friday and Saturday 8 pm/ Matinees: Wednesday and Sunday 2 pm) at the Centenary Stage Company, Kutz Theatre (Lackland Center), 715 Grand Avenue, Hackettstown, New Jersey 07840; Box Office: 908-979-0900; online: www.centenarystageco.org.

Photo: Bob Eberle

- Bob Rendell