| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Lauren Cooke |
Posted - 17 Oct 2005 : 10:30:22 AM
[img]http://artsci.shu.edu/celtic/images/ctc_head.gif[/img]
[img]http://artsci.shu.edu/celtic/images/d_jameson2.gif[/img]
Is Proud To Present
"THE LAST HURRAH"
adapted by Eric Simonson
Friday and Saturday, November 11,12,18 &19
At 8pm
Sunday, November 13 & 20
At 2pm
Seton Hall University
South Orange, NJ 07079
For Tickets, Call
(973) 761-9790
http://artsci.shu.edu/celtic/index.html#top
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| 3 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Lauren Cooke |
Posted - 17 Nov 2005 : 6:19:23 PM
Final weekend!
For Tickets, Call
(973) 761-9790
http://artsci.shu.edu/celtic/index.html#top |
| Lauren Cooke |
Posted - 14 Nov 2005 : 1:57:40 PM
'The Last Hurrah' in South Orange Review
"Challenging the boss"
Monday, November 14, 2005
BY PETER FILICHIA
Star-Ledger Staff
http://www.nj.com/theater/ledger/index.ssf?/base/entertainment-0/1131949491242630.xml&coll=1
"And you thought Election Day was over.
Not at all. There's still one race to be settled. Will old politico Frank Skeffington beat young turk Kevin McCluskey, and return as mayor of Boston?
One way to find out is to attend the production of "The Last Hurrah" at the Celtic Theatre Company in South Orange.
Edwin O'Connor's 1956 novel was famously adapted into a 1958 film with Spencer Tracy as Skeffington, the Irish Catholic Democrat who may be past his prime. But he doesn't think so. None of his friends dare tell him, either.
Now, in a stage adaptation by Eric Simonson still set in the late 50s, Frank is played by Glenn Jones. He's got the right mix of charisma and gravitas, and a sincere sympathy for each common man he meets. Skeffington will hand a drunk a ten-spot for some lubrication, and substantially more to a sudden widow in need. At the very least, he'll tell a constituent that he's wearing a nice tie.
Frank gets his votes by pounding the pavement, attending rallies, and shaking hands, while his supporters hand out the flyers and hold their placards high. The one concession Frank makes to modern times is having his picture taken with a singer who's the biggest star in what was then called rock 'n' roll.
Opponent Kevin McCluskey takes a different route: Television. Viewers see him with his family and dog around him, not to mention a picture of Pope Pius XII on the wall.
Guess who wins?
The play is more relevant now, because of the era of ageism we're in -- where good solid workers are automatically thought to be past their prime mostly because they've reached a certain age. "The Last Hurrah" recalls that there was a time when experience was more valued.
James P. McGlone, the state's reigning expert in directing theater in the round, has staged the show in a fluid and cinematic manner. Set designer Owen McEvoy has helped by dividing the circular stage into a number of areas ranging from each candidate's home to offices and a funeral parlor.
At Friday's opening, not everyone in the cast was quite at ease with his role, and a number of lines were fumbled. By next weekend, most of them should be up to snuff, though some of the smaller roles were played quite amateurishly, and threaten to remain so. But Celtic, after all, is a semi-pro theater. So while it can offer a most generous cast of 20, it can only afford two Equity members: Jones and Pete Smith, who solidly plays his three roles.
Joseph McGlone portrays Frank's nephew Adam with the sensitivity and caring that makes him the son Frank never had. As for the son Frank did have -- the ever-so-disappointing Frank Jr. -- Alex Currie has the right good-time-Charley, gawky idiocy.
Stephen F. Smith adeptly plays McCluskey with the cluelessness of a candidate who's being manipulated by those who know better. Glen Albright, as his main supporter, has the proper bluster for a man who's been checkmated by Frank.
The evening's biggest flaw is that director McGlone has chosen to have his cast sing jaunty Irish-tinged songs, ranging from "You're a Grand Old Flag" to "Harrigan," during every scene change. There's nothing wrong with the choice of songs, but the singers are particularly woebegone. Credit to McGlone for wanting to give audiences a completely live experience, but when singers are this sour, the time has come to turn to recordings." |
| Lauren Cooke |
Posted - 09 Nov 2005 : 2:52:34 PM
Opens this Friday!! :) |
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