Soon after eight p.m. the lights dimmed, the little boom box choked on its 80's pop rock and the crowded semi-circle of friends and patrons focused on the heated conversation of 2 men seated in the middle. From then on it seemed that audience and actors became one in what was the most captivating and lively performance I have experienced in years.
The play of course was David Mamet's Pulitzer Prize winning Glengarry Glen Ross brought to life by the local Charenton Theater Company. The story unravels through an encaustic representation of American business routines and courteously sprinkled with a generous dose of profanity and shock. More than once or twice someone from the audience screeched "Oh! My!" the only other interruptions came from the laughter of a stunned, awed and definitely enthralled audience. The action took place right there amongst the seated crowd, with actors streaming past us onto the make shift stage and four letter swear words, screams and vivacious expressions that shot off into the viewers eyes and ears as if we were all suddenly part of this unpredictable plot. This wasn't the typical theatre that our average suburbanite experiences had prepared us via typical high school plays, or weekend cultural excursions to phantasmagoric big house productions. This was reality and more so theatre, and reality blended equally into one gripping experience from start to finish.
Bernard Canepari, entrusted with the most complex character, stood up to the demands of his role by successfully drawing us through his alternating and chastising egos - the ones we all are so familiar one way or another from the great theatre of life. Kirk Brown as George Aaronow brought in most of the laughter and what a really fine job he did! Ricky Roma was perfected by Paul Floriano's shear bravado. Allan Byrne was a convincing, savvy and extremely crooked Dave Moss. Andrew Narten as John Williamson had the second most difficult part that could have enjoyed some firmness by animating slightly more those delicate moments of silence and hesitancy that the role demanded.
All the actors deserve a great bravo! for their performances and a very warm thank you for their generous artistic contribution. The energetic and witty artistic director of Charenton, Mr. James Mango did indeed keep his stated promise that Charenton is "Committed to continue and expand our tradition of breaking down the misconception that theater is a building"! But even more Mr. Mango promises that this summer he and his creative group of artists "Plan to blow the lid off Cleveland with an unprecedented project that will take professional theater to every corner of our great city all summer long."
Well there you have it! One more, super cool attraction to look for this summer in Cleveland! Meantime we are informed by friends in Solon that Mr. Mango will be directing The Fantasticks at the Solon Center for the Arts which opens on February 20 and will run through March 6th. from Cool Cleveland contributor Niko Angelis (:divend:)