The Catskill Sonata
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Gilman, Norman
Photo by Eric Curtis
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By Joseph N. Feinstein
I remember my visits to the Catskills as a time of uncontrollable laughter, watching Buddy Hackett, swimming in a gigantic pool, playing baseball, rowing my own boat, and, for one week, having my father all to myself. I had hoped Catskill Sonata, starring Kip Gilman in a second run at the Matrix after a long run at the Hayworth, was going to be something other than it was: a comedy--a loving look at a time gone by--a return to a special place where people came to relax, breath fresh air, and celebrate life. It's none of these.
What it is is ninety minutes with Dave Vaughn, (Kip Gilman) sitting on the veranda of Annie Rosen's resort, talking to, arguing with, and irritating anyone he meets
while drinking and smoking miserably fake cigarettes, spewing smoke all about an audience that breathes in its awful fumes. Despite the negativity of Vaughn's
comedy writer character, there remains a very loose story which is engaging. Paul Mazursky's touch as director and Michael Elias' sensitive writing come through in occasional moments.
Because Dave has been a successful writer, he has the words to create a charming personality. He works those words successfully with both Annie and her guest pianist, Rae Isaacs (Lisa Chess). In both scenes, with each of the ladies, Dave's words and manner are beautiful to watch. In another scene with Nancy (Kate James), a visitor who "will be eighteen next week", Dave's seductive tones radiate wonderfully. He's less successful with Annie's suitor, Leo Schwartz (Zack Norman), when he tries to dissuade him from asking Annie to marry him. He also fails with a young waiter, Irwin (Daryl Sabara), who is also an aspiring writer attempting to get praise from Dave who is unwilling to give it. Each of these scenesdo give the principals some crisp dialogue: In a moment of self-awareness Dave says, "I would have been a lousy father; it runs in my family!" He uses his comedy writer skills when he says, "Mickey Rooney is so superstitious, he won't walk under a black cat!"
Underpinning all of this is that the time is the mid 50's, and the fear of reprisals from the House Un-American Activities Committee is running rampant in the artistic world. It also appears to be affecting some of the people at this resort, which is known to welcome creative artists, To attempt to deal with this issue, along with the vicissitudes of Annie, Irwin, Rae, Leo,and Dave plus a "nightmare" involving Josef Stalin (Jeff Corbett) and those awful cigarettes, is way too much for ninety minutes.
The audience seemed to reflect my feelings of tedium and restlessness, because the applause at the end of the play was weak and courteous. Somehow, this Sonata just doesn't sing for me.
Catskill Sonata The Matrix Theatre 7657 Melrose Avenue Los Angeles 90046 Tel. 800-838-3006 Plays Friday & Saturday @ 8:00 p.m.; Sunday @ 3:00 p.m.
Tickets: Friday & Saturday @ $30; Sunday @ $25
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