Screen Play

From: "will stackman" profwlll@yahoo.com

Subject: Quicktake - "Screen Play" by A.R.Gurney

Date: Sun, Nov. 5, 6:43 PM

Quicktake on SCREEN PLAY

     Satire might just be a more effective antidote to tyranny than realism. David Hare's "Stuff Happens" extended down at the BCA imagines what might have been going on in the corridors of power in 2002 -2003 leading up to the current morass in the Middle East. A.R.Gurney's imaginative look at the state of these United States in 2015 resulting from such policies may be more instructive. The Nora Theatre, inching ever closer to a new home in Central Square, has a bang-up production running in Studio A at Boston Playwrights'.

    "Screen Play", directed by Richard McElvain, was written as a takeoff on the classic screen play for "Casablanca". It's presented as a mock staged reading by a sound and experienced cast with a soundtrack of folk and old, old standards played live by Jeffrey Goldberg. The story centers around Rick (of course), played by a welcome addition to the local scene, David DeBeck, who runs his family bar (what else?) in Buffalo, N.Y. (where else?). Disaffected Americans are once again fleeing to Canada, just across the Peace Bridge. Among those trying to leave, amid increasingly Draconian rules promulgated by "security" concerns, are political activist Walter Wellman, played in full voice by Peter Edmund Haydu and his wife, Rick's old flame, Sally, played by Stephanie Clayman. The song for the evening is "My Gal Sal," part of the repertoire of Myrna, the joint's chanteuse, warbled by Dee Crawford, who also does "Shuffle off to Buffalo" and "The Erie Canal." The local sheriff, source of a great deal of exposition, is Charley Washington, done by big Michael Nurse. Everyone's nemesis is Ass. Sec for HS, Abner Patch a Bible thumping Republican, played with gusto by John Davin. His flunky is played by John Porell, who takes on all the minor roles, including a local thug who steals the requisite "letters of transit," and a bored French airline clerk.

     Standing behind 7 black music stands, with some odd theatrical gear propped behind them, the ensemble uses their rich and varied experience to ring changes on this familiar story. Gurney, who was known around Boston for years as a member of the MIT English Department, has created an uncomfortable possible future based on the erosion of liberty taking place daily. Does everyone have their passport up to date in case they want to drive up to Montreal this winter--and get back into the States? We're liable to be seeing this script done again soon, but don't wait to get tickets to Nora's production. You never know.

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"Screen Play" by A.R.Gurney, 2 - 19

Nora Theatre Co. at Boston Playwrights' Theatre

949 Comm. Ave. Allston, (866) 811 - 4111
The Nora Theatre Co.