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Regional Reviews: St. Louis Stairs to the Roof Also see Richard's review of Chancers
Fred Abrahamse directs, bringing endless wonder to the two-and-a-half hour work (described as the "last of Williams' apprenticeship plays"). And a great cast led by Paul Cereghino finds regular charm and humor throughout. A few of the scenes languish (that's the annoying part) but, just when you think it's doomed to become "a play about nothing," there's a strange, mind-altering moment of escape from some sort of imprisonment—a balloon that flies up into the sky, or a similar escape by a trained circus dog; or a skulk of foxes freed from the zoo. Or, most importantly, a romantic young man and woman who break free of mindless, heartless work. Astonishing, because (in the very serious 1940s) it also anticipates the whole Yippie (counter culture) movement by twenty years or so. Its main character, Ben Murphy (Mr. Cereghino), is transfixed by the most devastating images of World War II and the de-humanizing work of young men at a large shirt-making factory. And as the play begins, to the astonishment of his boss (the formidable Peter Mayer), Ben discovers an escape—a "Stairs to the Roof." America still hadn't been ground down yet by Korea or Vietnam, but Williams somehow foresaw the danger of a new, crushing authority, in the waning days of WWII, and the need to blissfully soar above it all. Like Mr. Cereghino, Em Piro is charming and surprisingly natural. She's a secretary in a mind-numbing office, desperate to retrieve a love letter she's foolishly sent to her boss. Alyssa Ward is her hilarious roommate, prodding her out in the middle of the night, where Ms. Piro as the "Girl" meets Ben for a long, long idyll (producing occasional groans of exasperation from a gentleman in the row in front of me, as the two freed spirits enjoy a lengthy, magical night). John Krewson is funny and immediate as Ben's college pal, comparing notes on the disappointments of working life and marriage. And Cooper Shaw is a cartoonish monster as Ben's wife. In February of 2004, Washington University in St. Louis staged a similar-themed (and even more obscure) work by Williams, Me, Vashya, but it was very sketchy in its writing, and stentorian in its execution, involving the themes of idealism and anti-authoritarianism. Here, we get those themes again, but with a treasure trove of humor and heart and fanciful characters, too. In Stairs to the Roof, Williams seems to have fully embraced humanity, in spite of it all. The cast list is lavishly decorated with great talents playing multiple parts (thanks to the influence of Artistic Director Carrie Houk, a prominent talent agent in town). Ben Watts draws laughs from strange roles, as does the usually sober Pete Winfrey. Reginald Pierre is a strange observer who makes the most of his final minutes. Laura Sexauer goes for broke as Mr. Krewson's harridan wife. And Drew Battles is just as weirdly, intelligently odd as the rest, as the Girl's boss. Seating and sight-lines can be a real problem, with a level audience area (so try to sit up front) and slightly severe chairs to sit on. But the venue couldn't be more perfect for a very early Williams play. As a young man, the Pulitzer Prize winning author (of Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, among others) performed in community theater at the same austere, elegant St. Louis Artists' Guild building, on the same stage used for this show. Earlier this year, a local couple bought the building and began its renovation as "The Boo Cat Club," across Union Avenue from the West End Players Guild and Union Avenue Opera Company. Through November 23, 2014, at the Boo Cat Club, 812 North Union Blvd. (park behind the adjacent church building, via an alley, in a guarded, well-lit lot. For more information go to www.brownpapertickets.com/events/760846 Cast Crew * Denotes member, Actors Equity Association, the professional union of actors and stage managers in the US. Musicians Photo: ProPhotoSTL.com
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