A PRAYER FOR OWEN MEANY
Subject: Quicktake - "A Prayer for Owen Meany" by Simon Bent, based on John Irving's novel
Date: Sat, Jan 14, 9 AM
Quicktake on A PRAYER FOR OWEN MEANY
The Stoneham Theatre has developed a reputation for strong full-scale presentations of provocative recent plays. Their New England premiere of Simon Bent's adaptation of John Irving's semi-autobiographical 1988 novel, "A Prayer for Owen Meany" is another such success. Irving's complex novel, which deals with religious and moral issues against the background of a hidebound New England town in the late '50s and '60s , comes to a climax during the Vietnam era. The issues this work raises have a prescience today, making "...Owen Meany" one of the most significant productions this company has offered.
Multitalented New Yorker Ken Schatz is riveting in the title role of the boy with the wrecked voice, described by his friend John as the smallest person he ever knew. John Wheelwright, the narrator of the piece and the author's stand-in, is played with conviction by Timothy Smith, a faculty member at the College of the Holy Cross and Artistic director of Worcester's Redfeather Theatre. John's grandmother, from old and rich New England stock, is played by Ann Marie Shea, seen recently at BPT in Dan Hunter's "Red Elm". Bobbie Steinbach, fresh from Maria in ASP's "Twelfth Night" gets a few more laughs as Mrs. Wheelwright's wheelchair-bound cook. Owen's Irish parents are played by Owen Doyle, seen last fall as Dr. Seward in "Dracula" at Stoneham, and Sharon Mason who like Doyle has acted for a number of local companies. John's singer mother, Tabitha, is played by Caitlin Lowans, Stoneham's Education director, who just directed their "A Christmas Story". His stepfather, Dan, is peripetatic local character lead Richard Arum.
The rest of the talented ensemble includes Jon L. Eggerling as a traditional Episcopal priest and Stephen Russell doubling as Rector Wiggins, a breezy modern minister, and as Dr. Dolder, the school psychiatrist. Lisa Tucker from Beau Jest is Wiggin's Sunday school teacher wife. Floyd Richardson, last seen in TheatreZone's "Firebugs," plays an eccentric local, Mr. Fish, as well as the police chief, and Owen's superior officer. Cory Scott plays several generally menacing younger characters crucial to Owen's fate. The rest of the ensemble doubles as Owen's schoolmates and later as adults, particularly Gerald Slattery, who goes from a fat bully to the headmaster of the school. Christine Hamel, a local teacher and actress, and Cristi Miles, last seen at the New Rep in their "Christmas Carol", play little girls, various wives and mothers, and nuns. Director Weylin Symes has pulled this diverse cast together to create a fast paced condensation of Irving's sprawling epic. He's helped by Audra Avery's plain and efficient abstract unit set, realized with the help of scenic artist Jenna McFarland. Seth Bodie comes up with an array of costumes that help define a broad range of characters. David Wilson's soundscape and Gianni Downs' lighting complete the show. The first three shows in Stoneham's season were interesting, if somewhat uneven, but this engaging drama is simply a must-see, for Schatz' and Smith's performances, and the ensemble which supports them, as well as Bent's reduction of Irving's moving tale.
"A Prayer for Owen Meany" by Simon Bent, Jan. 12 - 29
Stoneham Theatre
395 Main St. Stoneham MA, (781) 279-2200
Stoneham Theatre
posted by will at 9:00 AM
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