Date: Fri 02-Oct-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: SHIRLE

Quick Words:

Rosen-STW-April-theatre

Full Text:

(rev "Rosen By Any Other Name" @Stamford TheatreWorks)

Theatre Review--

"Rosen" An Excellent Choice, And Presentation, For STW's Opener

(with cut)

By June April

STAMFORD -- If one word characterizes Stamford TheatreWorks it is impressive.

This intimate theater offers audiences productions that are effective and

entertaining, always with quality actors, and a theatre staff that is

involved, cooperative and caring.

The 1998-99 season opener, A Rosen By Any Other Name is a moving, delightful

and meaningful play, one the family could share. In typical STW tradition, the

work is also provocative and most worthwhile.

Though it is set in the early days of World War II, Rosen's themes are timely:

the relevance of one's cultural heritage, the relationship between parent and

child, the priorities of self-preservation in the face of danger, and human

values in times of stress . These major issues are explored through the eyes

of a 12-year-old Jewish boy who is about to have his bar mitzvah, the Jewish

rite of passage into manhood.

Written by the multiply-talented Israel Horovitz, A Rosen By Any Other Name

could be subtitled, "so what's in a name... ala Shakespeare." A name is who we

are, and where we came from. In some cultures a name is a historical

recounting of sorts of one's genealogy.

This play is part of a trilogy, and, as in much of the 50+ creations by Mr

Horovitz, it has a punch to it.

The Stamford set, largely an assortment of variously shaped windows, captures

one's attention immediately. Set designer Pearl Broms has been with STW since

its inception 11 years ago. Her creative talents add to whatever production

comes to the stage.

Adding to the effectiveness of the sets is the work of lighting design by

Matthew Zelkowitz. With special focal needs to heighten certain effects and

refocus the audience's attention, the lighting is a particularly important

element in this play.

The six actors could not have been better selected, or given a finer

performance. A 12-year veteran of stage and film, Ricky Ullman is fantastic as

the precocious and angst-ridden Stanley Rosen. His confidant and love

interest, Fern Hipps, is most delightfully played by Michelle Petterson. Both

these young actors speak beautifully, project well, and have great stage

presence.

The parents Rosen are tastefully acted by Mark Goldbaum and Marla Sterling. A

fine balance between overacting and being able to capture neurotic

personalities was sensitively found. That is a tribute to the actors and

director Douglas Moser.

Insightfully portraying the shell-shocked cousin Manny Boxbaum, Andrew Benator

brings a wonderful credibility to his character and the suffering he

experiences.

The audience is immediately drawn into this play because the opening is an

intimate conversation between a narrator/actor and the viewers. Jacob

Ardenshensky sits down at the edge of the stage and with a wonderful accent

and gentle wit relates something of the Rosen family history. Though the range

of Herman Arbeit's acting spans Shakespeare to I.B. Singer, his apparent

affinity for the patriarchal sage (who has a strong peppering of ironic humor

delivery) is brilliantly clear.

It would be valuable for young people to see this play since young Stanley's

stance, in dealing with this problem and his parents, is resolved in such a

way as to be a superb role model for children.

This is a double thumbs-up production. With free, adjacent parking and

reasonably priced tickets, A Rosen By Any Other Name is well worth the time

and money invested.

(Shows are Wednesday through Saturday at 8 pm, Sundays at 7 pm, and matinees

Saturday and Sunday at 2 pm. The final performance will be a matinee on

Sunday, October 11.

For tickets and additional information call 359-4414. STW is located on the

campus of Sacred Heart Academy, at the corner of 4th and Strawberry Hill

Avenue in Stamford.)