Dan's Papers -February 5, 2010 -A Review of Two Dramas

This weekend marks the final performances of The Laramie Project and 12 Angry Men. The intense dramas explore issues of hate crimes and racial profiling. So TiVo the tube and treat yourself to live theater with some great directing, solid performances and strong writing

The set for this 1950s backroom court drama is dominated by two long wooden tables, forcing the audience to look at the jurors from both sides, just as the jurors must look at the issues. The work is like a delicate piece of chamber music where every player is called upon for several key solos-and they'd better be virtuosi. For the piece to successfully reach its many high points, the audience has to be taken there by the intricate harmonies and dissonances.

While all of the actors put forth committed performances, some of these moments were a hair under pitch. Partly to blame is that the piece, originally a screenplay, just might work better as a film where the camera forces your attention to characters' subtle reactions and interactions, whether or not they're speaking. In a play, we don't "hear" the subtleties in the background. Our attention goes to the actors who are speaking. So we can miss a lot. Also, I saw Men on opening night. I'd bet there's been some serious fine tuning since then.

Having said all of that, this production never lost my interest. It moves at a quick pace, hastened by well-executed, animated stage direction - no mean feat for a one-room set. One remarkable coup is the end of Act 2 with most of the cast in fisticuffs. When the lights come up in Act 3, there they were, in the same positions with the same emotional intensity.

The actors held on to their characters throughout this demanding show. Joe Pallister in the lead role of Juror 8 is first seen staring out into the audience. He carried out this choice of being "a man who stands alone" throughout the evening, maybe too much at times, since after all, he needs cooperation. Pallister's "dumb/smart" monologue (Act 3) was a winner.

Billy Paterson was well cast as the angry Irishman, Juror 3. Dan Becker was consistent, and highly believable as Juror 11. And Matthew Ruggiero was quietly intense and quite engaging as Juror 5.

Based on the true story of the brutal murder of Matthew Shepard, Laramie presents 15 actors portraying dozens of characters. Years ago, in a sketch group in New York, my director John Monteith (of Monteith & Rand fame) said that sketch performers have only seconds to define characters. In Laramie, the actors have to establish new characters in a heartbeat, and deliver convincing, emotionally structured monologues - some maybe just 30 seconds long. Many in the cast, who were also in Men, met the challenge.

Paul Consiglio had little chance to shine as Juror 12 in Men, but pulled off with aplomb his very different characters in Laramie - a jaded cop and a gay cowboy. Robert Beodeker was much more successful in his role of the Minister in Laramie than his turn as Juror 4.

I saw V.J. Chairamonte do an okay job as the bully in Spelling Bee last year. But this young actor claimed the stage as the bartender in Laramie with a spot on, multi-leveled character, and was equally strong as the prison inmate. James Macaluso was sufficiently despicable as the Reverend Phelps. Matt Ruggiero gave a rich performance here, as he did in Men. Randall Krongard, whose work in Men was a little broad, gave a very moving portrayal of the Doctor. Adam Fronc delivered consistently solid performances in his roles.

Of the women, Vay David hit the mark every time in her many roles, with strong presence and dead on, immediate establishment of characters. She's a pro. Deborah Marshall's role as an Arab student was heartfelt and well-shaded.

Bethany Dellapolla nailed her characters, particularly the lesbian rock star turned activist, and the druggie teen. That scene with Fronc as her deadbeat buddy, was a great moment with needed comic relief.

Alison-Rose deTemple, Ted Lapides, Mary Ellen Roche, Ken Rowland, Dan and James Yaiullo rounded out this dedicated cast.

The Laramie Project, Thurs./Fri., Feb. 4-5, 8 p.m.

12 Angry Men, Sat., Feb. 6 at 8 p.m., Sun., Feb. 7 at 2:30. SCC Levitas Center for the Arts, 25 Pond Lane, across from Agawam Park in Southampton Village. General admission, $22; students (under 21 w/ID) is $10. For tickets, call 631-287-4377.