“Mother’s Day” at FringeNYC 2014 at the Players Theatre (Closes on Sunday August 24, 2014)
“Mother’s Day” at FringeNYC 2014 at the Players Theatre (Closes on Sunday August 24, 2014)
Written by Colin Drucker
Directed by Reginald L. Douglas
Reviewed by Joseph Verlezza
Theatre Reviews Limited
Mark Twain once said, “Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society.” Perhaps the talented and perceptive young playwright Colin Drucker is elaborating on this observation, among others, in his new modern day family play “Mother’s Day” being presented as part of the NY International Fringe Festival. Son Joey Pollack (Karl Gregory) wears strikingly fashionable women’s clothing as drag queen Helen Back when visiting his parents in New Jersey. Mom Liz Pollack (Renee Claire Bergeron) dons a colorful print top to visit her mother who explains it makes her look too round. Dad Talbott Pollack (Neal Lerner) sports an apron which neighbor Suzanne DeMarco (Rhonda Ayers) remarks on while on her visit to borrow a dress so she can look good when she goes out to dinner with her family. Slacker son Nicky Pollack (Brough Hansen) slouches around in tee shirts and sweat pants; while his father is hopeful he will come to dinner dressed decently. All these clothes may help build the characters and the way society accepts or rejects them, but it is when Mr. Drucker strips his characters naked that we see the reality and with a little coaxing from the bottle, that we feel the pain.
The plot is simple, the characters complex, the script is demanding, the dramatic arc climbs sky high, gets covered by a dark cloud, the storm begins and believe me - when it is over - there is no rainbow or pot of gold. The quick dialogue is witty, wise and engaging, as barbs are tossed and arrows flung, always piercing the hearts of the target, always drawing blood but never killing the victim, just leaving them to suffer.
The cast is led by the remarkable Mr. Gregory, strutting, striking, clawing through a persona that is fractured, trying to heal, hoping for help, looking for love and always separated and alone. He reaches deep into his pool of emotional response to produce a real, honest character never succumbing to the drowning effect of stereotype. He is riveting. Mr. Lerner gives a valid performance of the stoner dad, always mellow, with the delusion of being “Father Knows Best.” The remainder of the cast gives admirable performances but really never reach the level needed to support the script. Under the astute direction of Reginald L. Douglas, the pace is quick and the characters are clearly motivated.
Hopefully in this fully realized production Mr. Drucker can take a good look, clear away the clutter and make some adjustments. The play needs to be two acts or reduced to ninety minutes, which would be criminal if not done with care. The end needs to be revised. Something is left unsaid or is not transparent. The puzzle seems to be completed, but there are missing pieces. This is good if not a great living room drama and just needs some attention and fine tuning.
MOTHER’S DAY
“Mother’s Day” is presented by The Present Company (Elena K. Holy, Producing Artistic Director). Directed by Reginald L. Douglas.
The cast of “Mother’s Day” includes Rhonda Ayers, Renee Claire Bergeron, Karl Gregory, Brough Hansen, and Neal Lerner.
For performance schedule, ticketing information and more information about the presenting company, please visit www.FringeNYC.org. For mobile ticketing, please visit www.FringeonTheFly.com. The running time is 2 hours with no intermission or re-entry into the theatre.
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