The History Boys by Alan Bennett

 “Make it interesting – it’s all the same either way.”

The Arden Theatre Company’s production of The History Boys, written by Alan Bennett and directed by Terrence J. Nolan, does make it interesting.  In a British prep school for boys, the Headmaster (David Howey) is intent on sending some of his students to Oxford and Cambridge. There is absolutely nothing he wants more. However, he needs outside help, a young, fresh thinking professor, almost straight out of university, to help him. Irwin (Matthew Amendt) turns the dynamic between the students and professors upside down, while Hector (Frank X) turns the school on its head for another, less well looked upon reason.

(Michael Doherty as Posner and Frank X as Hector. Photo by Mark Garvin.)

“It’s not education – it’s culture.”

That becomes one of the questions asked through the piece – what’s ultimately the difference and what keeps them apart? Through everything that happens within this play, there is always a tug of war going on. The boys seem to believe that art, in its many forms, is not part of their education and should not be mixed with history. However, they quickly learn that, art is what makes history interesting and how it is put into context for many people.

“There’s no better way of forgetting something than by commemorating it.”

The talent for this production is phenomenal. Frank X is at his height as Hector, creating a character the audience loves, and even when it’s obvious that he’s doing inappropriate things, the audience still loves him. That’s a very hard thing to do. On the contrary, Matthew Amendt’s Irwin starts as the outsider, and even though the students eventually become fond of him, he still always seems different. The boys are all extremely talented, but two definitely stood out. Posner (Michael Doherty) was a highlight – he wasn’t like the other boys and his singing was exceptional. Scripps (Matt Leisy) was really confident and gave personality to a character who seemed to often be a bouncing board for other characters. Additionally, the only female character in the entire show, Mrs. Lintott (Maureen Torsney-Weir) was a riot. Every time she walked on stage, it seemed that the audience was laughing for one reason or another.

This show is technically spectacular. The lighting – it’s hard to believe how subtle it could be while still being so dramatic and effective. Additionally, the scene transitions done in character by the boys were a highlight of the show. Entertaining to watch, it really helped develop character and relationships between the characters early on in the production.

“Do you really believe that or are you just trying to make us think?”

This production really does the show justice, but almost everything that the Arden Theatre Company puts on is so well crafted and full of talent, that they never seem to miss the mark.  A definite must see this season.

Arden Theatre Company presents The History Boys by Alan Bennett and directed by Terrence J. Nolen, September 24^th  – November 1^st at the F. Otto Haas Stage at the Arden, 40 N. 2^nd Street. Tickets $29 – $48. 215-922-1122, www.ardentheatre.org.

The Seafarer by Conor McPherson

In Adren Theatre Co’s The Seafarer, written by Conor McPherson and directed by David O’Connor, Sharky (William Zielinski) is a ‘Christmas wrecker’; at least, he is according to his brother Richard (Brian Russell). Sharky is helping take care of Richard, who recently went blind and having had trouble keeping himself on the straight and narrow, he’s given up alcohol. On Christmas Eve, Nicky (Joe Hickey), who is dating Sharky’s ex, brings a strange Mr. Lockhart (Greg Wood) to play a game of cards. But Mr. Lockhart doesn’t want to win their money, he wants to win Sharky’s soul.

The Seafarer was a perfect example of when great productions meet terrible plays. The acting, sets and over all atmosphere were all phenomenal, but the play itself needed some work. It was really a disappointment. The story was stagnant, and frankly, overdone. It’s been seen time after time – the devil wants your soul. You can’t let him take it. Oh no! Big deal. We’ve seen it before – and guess what? Everyone knows the devil can’t win.

Additionally, it took forever for the action of the play to actually start. It went on and on, leading the audience in a completely different direction than the play ended up going. This was a serious problem, because if the world of the play isn’t established early, it won’t make any sense to the audience.

And one of the most obvious, and most annoying things about this production is that it’s a Christmas play. When a play takes place at Christmas and gives off that holiday spirit feeling, it needs do be done at Christmas time, or it won’t make any sense. But no, it’s May and we’re watching a holiday ‘feel good’ show. Part of what charm this show might have had lays in the fact that it’s a holiday play and not something that makes sense all year long.

It does have to be said, the acting was really superb. The entire cast showed an immense amount of talent, but even that couldn’t make up for all of the problems within the piece itself.

Overall, don’t waste your time. It’s not worth the 2 hours and some odd minutes you’ll spend in the theatre.

Arden Theatre Co. presents The Seafarer written by Conor McPherson, directed by David O’Connor. May 14th – June 14th at the Arden Theatre Company, 40 N. 2nd Street. Tickets $29-$48. 215-922-1122, www.ardentheatre.org.

Something Intangible by Bruce Graham

”Good artists are not a dime a dozen.” At least, not in Arden Theatre Company’s Something Intangible by Bruce Graham. A world premiere, Something Intangible goes beyond the typical brother relationship to bring the audience into the world of these very, very atypical brothers, Dale (Scott Greer) and Tony (Ian Merril Peakes). Tony is a pill popping, female loving, prejudiced artist who runs a Hollywood studio that produces cartoons and Dale is his accountant.

Although Tony sometimes seems to be running the show, it’s quickly discovered that Dale is more in control than Tony thinks. Dale keeps Tony in line, and not just in business. Even though Tony would never admit it, he needs Dale to take care of him and Dale always rises to the occasion. And although Dale doesn’t understand his brother’s imagination, at one point even claiming that his brother “gets fifty ideas a minute”, he appreciates it more than Tony ever realizes.

Cleverly constructed, the play itself takes place in the form of flashes while Dale speaks to his therapist, Sonia (Sally Mercer). It’s almost unclear what is meant to be taking place in the past, present and future of Dale’s therapy sessions, but it doesn’t affect the flow of the performance, as everything still seems very linear. If anything, it makes it the performance seem more natural, as there’s no jumping around.

Scott Greer’s performance is simply phenomenal. Within this duo of two very different characters, he’s able to bring the straight man to life with charisma and a certain charm. Not a typical charm, but he brings something to the table that you can’t always put your finger on. His character, who has always done right by everyone in his life, is brought alive in a way that makes him more than just a loving brother, husband and father. He’s no saint, but he’s not an average guy either.

Something Intangible, inspired by the loving relationship of Vincent van Gogh and his brother Theo, creates a very vivid picture of two people who care for each other more than most people can imagine. Although they aren’t the perfect picture of a typical family, but these men love each other unconditionally and that’s something that’s hard to find.

Arden Theatre Co. presents Something Intangible, written by Bruce Graham and directed by Terrence J. Nolan, April 9 – June 7, 2009 at the Arcadia Stage at the Arden Theatre Company, 40 N. 2^nd Street. Tickets $29-$48. 215-922-1122, www.ardentheatre.org.