I know, I know, it's been a very long time since my last blog entry. In fairness, I hadn't been to the theater in a while! The last time I wrote was about The Nance (which I ended up seeing again WITH Nathan Lane and LOVED). Since that time I have seen Pippin (for a second time), and the two plays about which I'm writing now.
I have never written a blog entry about two shows at the same time before. The reason that I'm doing it now will hopefully be revealed by the time I'm done. The two plays in question are The Winslow Boy by British Play write Terrence Rattigan and The Snow Geese by American play write Sharr White.
Both plays take place during WWI, though at different times, and both are about well to do families who are plunged into economic despair due to one reason or another - mostly of their own doing. The difference is that Mr. Rattigan wrote his play in 1947 and Mr. White wrote his circa 2013. You'd think that Mr. White's play would be the more relevant, and you'd be wrong!
Currently having it's debut at Manhattan Theater Clubs Friedman Theater on Broadway, Sharr Whites The Snow Geese has all the makings of a wonderful play. Mr. White wrote last seasons The Other Place which I raved about in a previous blog entry. Geese also marks the Broadway return of Mary-Louise Parker who has not graced the stage since the Roundabouts ill fated revival of Hedda Gabler.It is the first time that she has appeared on Broadway in a new play since the MTC production of Proof for which she won a Tony award.
Parker plays Elizabeth, a young widow named Elizabeth who has lost her husband very suddenly and unexpectedly to what sounds like a heart attack. Elizabeth has two young sons aged 22 and 18, the oldest of which is leaving soon to fight in France. Both sons have been raised very differently, and for different purposes. Also a part of the ensemble are Broadway heavy weights (and two of my personal favorites) Victoria Clark and Danny Burstein. Ms. Clark plays Elizabeths older sister and Mr. Burstein her German husband. There is also the small (but pivotal) role of the maid Viktorya.
There are problems with the script from the very beginning. The main problem being that the story doesn't seem to present itself until almost two thirds of the way through the first act, and when it finally does it's not all that interesting a story. The idea was to present tale of a family who lived well, and then was thrown into economic crisis very suddenly and how it affected each member of the family. It's a fine idea but the execution is very poor.
The relationships between characters are not clearly defined and neither are their motivations. There are scenes in the play that are very well written, and very enjoyable to watch. When the play ends though, there is no satisfaction. Something about the entire thing seems wasted. I think that perhaps if the play had been done regionally before being presented on Broadway it might have been in a better place.
Let us now turn our attention to the older of the bunch, Terrence Rattigan's The Winslow Boy. This play is currently being revived over The American Airlines Theater by Roundabout. This is certainly an old fashioned play. It's warms up slowly, and simmers before it boils. Though when it boils, watch out, it gets quite hot!
Starring Roger Rees and Mary Elizabeth Mastrontonio, I thoroughly enjoyed this play from start to finish. This play also takes place circa WWI. It concerns a young boy at the royal naval school who is expelled unfairly, and the father who launches a years long legal crusade to save his sons good reputation.
Like The Snow Geese, The Winslow Boy tells of two sons who have been raised very differently and with different purposes. It also tells of a family plunged into economic crisis and paints for us a picture of how these events affect each member of the house hold. The difference between the two is that The Winslow Boy does it with a complete picture.
The story is clear from the beginning. While things certainly do get a bit out of focus towards the end of the first act, the writing is so clear and the character relationships and motivations are all there in the writing. Each time a character says or does something it makes sense, even if we don't agree with the choice. Not to mention that the entire cast are giving fantastic performances. Admittedly, the writing style of The Winslow Boy is old fashioned, and some may even find it boring. This is where the performances of this fine company of actors elevate the material to a higher plane.
While I certainly believe that all plays should be seen, if you have to choose between the two, I'd say go for The Winslow Boy. Both plays are currently playing on Broadway through the beginning of December. I promise to write again soon! Thanks for reading!
