My philosophy in reviewing shows is that there certain plays, actors, directors, playwrights, technical professionals and some situations one simply cannot be neutral about. When you are neutral you are an accomplice in reviewing a production as to the viewpoints others have, not necessarily yours! Objectivity, by the way, doesn't mean treating all sides equally. It’s not necessarily just a “bad play” or “bad acting.” I do have my likes and dislikes and often show them to others dismay. Objectivity means giving each side a hearing—considering all elements of a production.
That philosophy caught up with me recently when I reviewed “On An Average Day,” the current production of Ground Up and Rising, the two and a half year old company now producing at the Byron Carlisle in Miami Beach and soon to move to the Art Serve in Homestead,
My sense of fairness had to consider several elements: the play and the acting, in addition to my general philosophy about reviewing small theatrical productions.
In my mind, I found the play mediocre; the acting, absorbing and classy. Trying to keep my objectivity, I guess a review of this play should rate it overall somewhere in between.
First, the acting by the two stars – Arturo Fernandez and Arnaldo Carmouze –is A-class. They play two brothers – one Bobby (Fernandez), whom we meet in his kitchen when brother Jack (Carmouze) arrives. The pair haven't seen each other in twenty-some years but, strangely, they seem to carry on as if nothing has changed. Bobby is a bundle of psychiatric disorders— a dysfunctional recluse
Older brother Jack is sensible, practical –adorned in business attire. We gradually learn that their father deserted them when Bobby was eight, that Jack raised Bobby until he, too, abandoned him. With these issues on the kitchen table (the major piece of scenery), it’s apparent, the play's title is ironic. There is nothing average about this day!
Bobby has problems—obsessive-compulsive, paranoid schizophrenia, as well as antisocial personality disorder, the one we usually refer to as a psychopath. Due to an accident and his violent reaction, he is now on trial, though inexplicably out on bail.
Jack always fixed Bobby's problems when they were kids. Now Bobby believes Jack has turned up to save him again. But things are not what they seem. Jack wasn’t even aware of Bobby's crisis. Jack has an agenda of his own and before the play is done, the past has been uprooted and shots are being fired.
At this point, you ask yourself: no matter how great the acting, what is this play about? You start asking yourself questions - Where is the mother? How has Bobby survived since childhood? Who took care of him? Where has Jack been all these years? Why today -- of all days -- did he return? A dozen or so questions will swirl before you.
Fernandez, who doubles as Producing Artistic Director, explains that as a small theatre, it has to go up against larger and better known venues in selecting plays. Despite donations and grants, it cannot compete at the selection level in the plays it produces as compared to more well known venues. This is understandable…even commendable because Fernandez and Carmouze actually turn a mediocre play into a vigorous character study. The acting makes this visit worthwhile – seeing two extremely capable actors put their spin on unlikely characters.
John Kolvenbach is the author who offers too many unexplained background items to make this seem realistic.
Ground Up and Rising – which has introduced some topnotch actors in South Florida—a bunch of twenty-somethings (Kameshia Duncan, Bechir Sylvan, Sheaun McKinney Natalia Brea, for example) – is a relatively young company, composed mainly of first-generation and minority Americans who hope to bring fine theatre to the underserved in the community. Its goal is high, It has selected some topnotch and difficult plays to offer its audiences and is constantly looking for expressive material. It will repeat its 12th production Jesus Hopped the A Train and will cap off the Fall season with The Pillowman, the 2003 award-winning dark, much-produced work by Irish playwright Martin McDonagh-- the play which navigated itself to several Carbonells when it was done at GableStage two years ago.
Ground Up and Rising has its nomadic ways. It has moved around Miami-Dade, offering small but professional productions.at a variety of venues, If you decide to go, you will find a dedicated troupe of actors available to entertain, enlighten and educate. Call 305 529-6233 or get tickets at www.groundupandrising.org. |
