Through June 28, 2008
Reviewed by Chris Gibson
Paul Osborn's perfectly charming play, Morning's at Seven, was topical, to a degree, when it was written in the late 1930's. Though some of it's themes may seem antiquated, or even shopworn due to their familiarity, this is a very entertaining show, similar in some ways to Kaufman and Hart's You Can't Take It With You. Stray Dog Theatre's production, their last of the season, is wonderfully performed by a very talented ensemble.
Aaronetta Gibbs has lived with her sister Cora, and her husband Thor, for the past fifty years. But, Cora has decided that she and her spouse need to move out and live their remaining years on their own. The house she's chosen is the one that her sister Ida's husband Carl, who's given to spells, has promised to give to his son Homer, whenever he finally takes a wife and moves out. So, naturally Homer brings his fiancée Myrtle home to meet his parents, for what everyone presumes is a marriage proposal. To add further intrigue, there's another sister down the block named, Esther. Her husband David, finds them all to be morons and discourages his wife from visiting and dishing the latest gossip. Events will transpire over the course of the evening that will shake up everyone's life and living arrangements.
Sally Eaton is terrific as Aaronetta, who has harbored a secret for fifty years. She imbues her character with a pitiable quality despite the bitterness she outwardly projects. Liz Hopefl is very good as Cora, who's coped with her sister's presence for too long, and needs to finally have some time alone with her man. Eleanor Mullin does fine work as long-suffering sister, Ida, with a husband prone to having fits of anxiety about where he is in life, and a son who's aptly named, since he shows no signs of ever wanting to leave his home. Suzanne Greenwald is equally sharp as Esther who defies her husband and his threat to live separately in the same house if she continues to sneak over to her siblings. Together they share a marvelous chemistry, and that really makes the play work.
David Gibbs plays Cora's husband, Theodore, nicknamed Thor, as eternally bemused, and rarely rattled. But, he has a secret to keep as well, and ably displays the concern of a man anxious to avoid confrontation. Bob Harvey amuses as Carl, who's ashamed that he never achieved his dreams and goes off on rants where he questions his own self worth. He's especially upset with Myrtle coming to visit, and Cora pressuring him to lease his property to her. FM 88's own Chuck Lavazzi provides splendid work as the pompous ex-professor, David, who can't disguise his disdain at the behavior of his wife's family. But, he shows us David's human side as well, when Esther takes him up on the idea of separate living quarters, and he drops his guard.
Shawn White is a riot as Homer. He's a true "man-child", he's forty, he still lives with his parents, and he's been engaged for far too many years to his fiancée. His sputtering apprehension is hilarious, and in perfect contrast to Colleen Backer's ever-gracious approach to Myrtle. Backer simply steals this show with her overly polite manners and perfectly timed delivery. She lifts the show every time she appears, and that's not an easy feat when you consider the talent she's surrounded by.
Gary Bell's direction is excellent, with seamless and believable interaction a constant. Although, the pace of the show does lag toward the end of the second act, which could be related to the source material, with its old-school three act format. Tyler Duenow's lighting scheme throws a sepia glow over Alex Gaines's set design, which features a folk art inspired backdrop and see through houses.
Stray Dog Theatre's engaging production of Morning's at Seven continues through June 28th, 2008 at the Tower Grove Abbey. Go online to www.straydogtheatre.org to find out more information.
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