“Philosophy for Gangsters” at the Beckett Theatre on Theatre Row (Through March 1, 2014)
The Cast of "Philosophy for Gangsters" (Photo by Carol Rosegg)
“Philosophy for Gangsters” at the Beckett Theatre on Theatre Row (Through March 1, 2014) Written and Directed by Liz Peak and Barry Peak Reviewed by David Roberts Theatre Reviews Limited
Buried somewhere beneath tired (and tiring) humor – much of it in poor taste – lies a story Liz Peak and Barry Peak intended to be engaging as well as humorous. Unfortunately their well-intentioned plan falls mostly flat in the world premiere of their “Philosophy for Gangsters” currently running through March 1, 2014 at the Beckett Theatre on Theatre Row in Manhattan.
This story involves Mafia heir Callie Rizzoli’s (Courtney Romano) attempt to deconstruct the meaning of mob and redefine the meaning of crime in the twenty-first century. She enlists the help of kidnapped NJCU Professor of Philosophy Willie May (Tom White) who (obviously) becomes a love interest for her and a liability for the current Don of the Family Rizzoli (Bruno Iannone).
Despite heroic efforts on the part of the talented cast, the thin plot unravels and suffers from a plethora of less-than-interesting characters burdened with equally implausible and, quite frankly, boring problems. The Don wants to see the day when criminals won’t have to go to jail “just because they are guilty.” Callie affirms that she and other miscreants “have the right to do wrong.” Willie May is conscripted to write the definitive “Guerilla Manifesto.” And, to save her new beau Willie, Callie fakes his death in an explosion, Luther (Tally Sessions) removes all of Willie’s teeth to substantiate the professor’s demise, and Callie and Willie head off in the sunset to inhabit you-know-whose now vacant cave in Afghanistan. And so it goes.
Repetition, redundancy, blackouts too many to count, an overly long first act, and the dogged attempt to provide exposition through unnecessary three-minute scenes doom this dramatic effort to less than success.
PHILOSOPHY FOR GANGSTERS
The cast for Philosophy for Gangsters includes Michael Brusasco, Kyle Robert Carter, David Demato, Shabazz Green, Bruno Iannone, Leajato Amara Robinson, Courtney Romano, Tally Sessions, Deborah Tranelli and Tom White.
The creative team is comprised of Julia Noulin-Mérat (scenic design), Sarah Cogan (costume design), Carl Wiemann (lighting design), M. Florian Staab (sound design) and Lauren Genutis (properties). Jessica Pollack is Production Stage Manager.
Tickets are $61.25 and may be purchased online through Telecharge.com or by calling (212) 239-6200. They may also be obtained in person at the Theatre Row box office (410 West 42nd Street). Hours are Monday-Saturday from 12noon to 6pm and Sunday from 12noon to curtain. There are no advance sales (1) one hour prior to curtain.
The performance schedule is: Tuesday at 7:00pm, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday at 8:00pm, Saturday at 2:00 and 8:00pm and Sunday at 3:00pm. Running Time is 2 hours and 10 minutes with a 15 minute intermission.
Permalink | Posted by David Roberts on Monday, February 10, 2014
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