Sight Unseen
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Owsley, Dean
Photo by William Lewis
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By Joseph N. Feinstein
Ego, frustration, jealousy, unrequited love, and anti-Semitism constitute many of the elements of Donald Margulies' hit play now appearing at the art/works theatre in Hollywood until September 1. Warning: Make certain to bring a fan, for this theater offers no air conditioning; and, although the story and acting are, for the most part, pretty good, the atmosphere can be truly oppressive.
The play first opened fifteen years ago, winning the Obie as Best New American Play. It was nominated for a Drama Desk Award and was a finalist for a Pulitzer Prize. Mr. Margulies always has something of importance to say and says it here very well.
In the play, he uses the technique of shifting the action and time back and forth from its opening in an English farmhouse in 1991, forward a few days, and backward fifteen and seventeen years. None of this should create any concern, for the scenes are delineated clearly in the program. What might create concern is the Tiffany Walker's rapid-fire delivery as Patricia, whose words-per-minute exceeds one's ability to listen that quickly. That producer/ director/designer William Lewis didn't implore Ms. Walker to slow the pace remains a mystery.
On the other hand, Jeffrey Dean's Johnathan, a renowned artist, is both articulate in voice and action. He is especially resonant in his scenes confronting Nick (Steve Owsley), Patricia's husband, who doesn't much like him or his art. The scenes at an art gallery during his interview with Grette (Pilar Monroe), who aggressively questions the purpose of his art and its relationship to his being Jewish, are explosive. These scenes are fraught with a number of questions, ideas, and attitudes in which Margulies' words shine.
We are taken on many different paths throughout the two hours: Is art an expression of the artist or a business, necessitating certain acumen and goals? Exactly what constitutes "great" art and who is to determine that? What are the sacrifices that have to be made to achieve greatness? Factor in a love story, a marriage of convenience, the horror of the Holocaust, and an interfaith romance, all tuned adroitly by a master storyteller, and you have the makings of a fine play.
Along with lack of air, do not expect anything in the way of scenery or set design, for the art/works is a theatre-in-becoming. Credit the actors with understanding and appreciation for their craft and the script. Unfortunately, there were five patrons in attendance at our Sunday performance, and three of us had to leave for want of air. This company deserves better. Then again, so do we!
Sight Unseen art/works Theatre 6569 Santa Monica Boulevard Hollywood 90028 Tel. 323-960-7789
Thursday - Saturday @ 8:00 p.m.; Sunday @ 3:00 p.m. Playing until Sept. 1; Tickets $25 Th. - Sat.; $20 Sun.
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