Date: Fri 10-Oct-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: DONNAM

Quick Words:

TheatreWorks-Living-Room-rev

Full Text:

(rev "The Dining Room" @Stamford TheatreWorks, 10/10/97)

Theatre Review--

STW's `Dining Room' Is An Opening Feast

(with photo)

By June April

STAMFORD -- Stamford TheatreWorks is proudly offering a delicious feast of

theatrical presentations in celebration of its tenth anniversary season. The

Dining Room , by the highly acclaimed American playwright A.R. Gurney, Jr,

opened the 1997-98 season last weekend. This patchwork of vignettes explores

and illuminates that unique New England subculture fondly referred to as "the

WASPS."

Set (no pun intended) in a tastefully decorated and gracious dining room, a

succession of scenes unfold that examine familial relationships and dynamics.

The rhythmic clip of Gurney's writing provides the play with a tempo that is

variable and changeable.

The sets at STW are always well suited to each production, and this play is no

exception. Between the skills of scenic designer David Goetsch, and the props

and painting by Pearl Broms, the audience experiences a realistic and warm

room where families and friends come together.

The dynamics of staging The Dining Room are challenging since some of the 18

segments fade-in. Actors remain on the stage as an ensuing scene begins, and

then matter-of-factly move off-stage.

While initially somewhat disconcerting, in hindsight the practice seemed to

present another aspect; specifically, what can linger (ie, memories) with the

passage of time. Director Douglas Moser sensitively guided the six Equity

actors in their multiple roles with great success.

Primarily through the use of body language, each of the actors portrayed

varying ages, from youngsters to senior citizens. Topics include dividing up

the estate, asking the family patriarch for money, latch-key children raiding

the alcohol cabinet and refrigerator, and my favorite: the anthropology

student. Affairs of the heart, morals and ethics are all scrutinized by

Gurney, but with a deftness of humor, insight, poignancy and wit.

Versed in Shakespeare as well as contemporary theatre, Deidre Madigan once

again demonstrates her skill as an actor both with timing and a sense of

characterizations. Having seen her in other productions at Stamford

TheatreWorks, as well as in roles with the Shakespeare on the Sound company,

each performance was clearly focused and outstandingly acted.

The other two female leads, Dee Pelletier and Katie Sparer, were also

excellent in their various portrayals.

This is the first time Ms Sparer has acted at STW. Her impressive list of

credits, plus acting skills demonstrated on the Stamford stage currently,

strongly suggests she will be seen again at this charming theatre. Dee

Pelletier's memorial comment in the playbill, "...for my dear memere whose

holiday dining room is a feast for my memory...," underscores how this play

can mean so much, personally.

After seeing such a powerful and sensitive performance in one of last year's

most moving plays ( Someone Who'll Watch Over Me ), it was a pleasure to see

Samuel Maupin once again at STW. At times, from certain angles, there is a

resemblance to the deceased Italian actor Marcello Mastrioni. As a child or

patrician patriarch, he is always believable.

Credits for Michael Lasswell and David Beach range from regional theatres to

Broadway. Their very fine performances added vitality to The Dining Room .

Each is a notable and talented actor. As a company, there was a sense of

cooperation and awareness between all actors.

It is interesting to note that Mr Gurney, who received his masters from Yale

University, writes plays that are "different." Between Sylvia , which sees

life through a dog's eyes, to Love Letters , which is so poignant and uniquely

staged, audiences see works by a playwright who can shift from the page to the

stage quite successfully. Named after his father, Gurney lives in the same

Connecticut town as Mike Nichols. Maybe there is something special in the

water, or the beautiful landscape that serves to inspire the creative mind.

The Dining Room closes its door October 12. Tickets can be ordered over the

phone by calling 359-4414. Ask for a brochure because STW also has a

performing arts program, children's theatre, a holiday special and (new this

season) a new-play workshop. The intimate theatre is located on the corner of

Fifth Street and Strawberry Hill Avenue in Stamford.