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'Picnic' has few bright moments
(by Herb Hammer - September 03, 2008)
'Picnic' has few bright moments
The Fine Arts Association in Willoughby has brought to its stage William Inge's classic play "Picnic." Fine Arts has a reputation for good plays and excellent performers.
But something went awry on opening night this past Friday. The intent was to deliver the play outdoors in an area called the Marous Brothers Outdoor Stage. Sounds like a nice idea. The drama is intended to be staged on an elaborate set featuring two houses sharing one back yard.
Bomber, the paper boy, tells Millie to send out her pretty sister. Before things go too far, it's easy to see that this is a bad place to do a play. The traffic on Mentor Avenue (Route 20) is so noisy you're seriously distracted.
When the first act ends, we know that Madge is attracted to the young drifter Hal. Mother wants her to marry rich, young Alan. Madge says, "I'm only 18." Mother replies, "Next year you'll be 19, then 20, then 21 and then 40."
Suddenly, there's a problem. We, the audience, were told that a line of showers was headed our way. We all picked up our lawn chairs and lugged them back to our cars.
The second and third acts were performed inside the theater on a makeshift set. The cast went back to work. With no noise and good acoustics, the performance improved dramatically.
It's Labor Day, and, in small-town Kansas, the annual holiday dance is about to begin. Mr. Inge changes the tone and texture of his play right there. There is alcohol and sex and a sobbing, aging Rosemary, who is begging her boyfriend, Howard, to marry her. It's the best scene in the play.
Hal finally hops a train and heads to Tulsa. Madge is set to follow him.
"Picnic" won a Pulitzer Prize in 1953. Now, however, the play feels dated, uncomfortable and dusty. Besides that, the cast has trouble warming to the dialogue.
Director James Mango has difficulty getting his cast in sync. Maybe it was all that traffic noise in the first act. He does have some brilliant moments.
Dustin Kaiser plays Hal, who appears troubled in the role. But this was opening night, and things didn't start out very well for him. Kiley Ann McLaughlin also drifts as Madge. Blame part of that on costume designer Caitlin Sandham for giving Miss McLaughlin frumpy, ill-fitting dresses to wear.
There are some bright spots. Best is Julia DiSanto, as Millie, the smart one. Her charm and all-around feel for the part makes her stand out.
Mary Mahoney, as Rosemary, has some fine moments. Howard, played with excellence by Greg Gnau, does reluctantly agree to marry her. Rosemary is as giddy as a schoolgirl.
The rest in the cast are quite ordinary, which surely doesn't help a tired old play.
"Picnic" will continue outdoors at the Fine Arts Association. Or maybe they will give up and take it inside for the rest of the run.
Now, there's an idea.
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