The Graduate
The Edge Theatre: June 6
through June 29
Back in 1960 something my
cousin Jacquie asked me if I thought Dustin Hoffman had more than one hit movie
in him? I said “Yes! He’s gonna have a
great career!” And the rest is history.
Chandler Darby’s klutzy
Benjamin is outstanding. His handle on the feigned masking of his character’s
confusion and naivete’ is stunning! His spastic knee-jerk reactions to Mrs.
Robinson’s straight-forward questions could not be better. And just as I did
with my response to Jacquie’s question about Dustin Hoffman I predict a long
and successful future for Darby upon the stage.
Patty Ionoff inhabits the
iconic Mrs. Robinson in a relentlessly dark and seductive performance in which
she gets to show off her very beautiful body. It’s a no-nonsense edgy portrayal
of a desperately love-starved alcoholic.
Suzanna Wellens is superb as Mrs.
Braddock, Benjamin’s mother. The measured cadence of her reading of this part
adds immeasurably to our enjoyment of the show.
As the play progresses Adrian
Egolf allows us to view the kind of knowledgeable woman that Elaine will
become.
Rick Yaconis’s direction
makes the evening fly by. It’s deft,
smooth and swiftly paced.
The musical numbers that
bridge the scenes in Kenny Storms’ sound design are well chosen. They place us
perfectly in the groovin’ milieu of this country in the 1960s.
The Edge Theater
presents “The Graduate”
June 6
- 29
Fridays and
Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 6 p.m; Thursdays, June 12, 19 and 26 @ 8 p.m.
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