|
Regional Reviews: Florida - West Coast Good People Also see Bill's reviews of Fearless, Fly and The Matchmaker
Directed by Asolo Conservatory director Greg Leaming, this production is excellently acted. Visiting artist Denise Cormier plays Margaret, a role she also essayed at The Repertory Theater of St. Louis. Ms. Cormier is wonderful in the role, exhibiting many levels of intensity—just what the role requires to keep Margaret from losing the audience's sympathy. Tim Grimm is Mike, formally from Southie, now a doctor. He strongly portrays a man who has pulled himself up from his working class past and wishes to sever all ties and memories, nouveau riche. Peggy Roeder and Anne-Marie Cusson are Margaret's neighbors and pals. Ms. Roeder may lay the "daffy" on a little thick but she is always delightful, Ms. Cusson is right on target. Tyla Abercrumbie plays Kate, Mike's African-American wife, born into a life of affluence and curious for the truth about her husband's gritty past. Ms. Abercrumbie is a marvelously versatile actress; this season she also plays a stereotypical maid in The Matchmaker and has previously played in a wide variety of productions for Asolo Rep, including dual roles in Clybourne Park two years ago. Conservatory student Jory Murphy takes the potentially two-dimensional role of Stevie and makes him more interesting than he might be. All of the Boston accents are generally on target if a touch thick, kudos to voice and dialect coach Patricia DeLorey. I have one issue with this production. The play itself is intimate, much of it consists of lengthy scenes for two people, and I think that the Mertz Theater swallows it up a bit. Ideally, it might fit Florida Studio Theater or American Stage a bit better, but I don't think the play would appeal to either company. The technical elements (scenic design by Bill Clarke, costume design by Dane Laffrey, and lighting design by Eric Southern) are all effective. This is a good production but does not require the best that Asolo Rep is capable of. What makes this production worth seeing is the play itself and the excellent acting. Thanks to Asolo Rep for offering this challenging piece to Sarasota audiences. Asolo Repertory Theater presents Good People through March 1, 2015, at the Mertz Theater in the FSU Center. 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, Florida. Box Office (941) 351-8000. For more information visit www.asolorep.org. Cast (in order of appearance): Directed by Greg Leaming
|
