by dick kerekes dickkerekes@yahoo.com
Theatre Jacksonville opened the third show of its 88th season with a thought-provoking fictional play about the invention of television and its growth. This is the Florida premier of Rinnie Groff’s play, which debuted at the 2004 Actor’s Theatre of Louisville’s Humana Festival of New American Plays. The drama runs through March 15th at the Harold K. Smith Playhouse in San Marco.
Television is one of the most significant inventions of the 20th century. Can you name anyone who does not watch it? It influences so many aspects of our lives including elections, health and the immediacy of news and information. In l928 television sets were produced in France, England and Russia. 20-year old Philo Farnsworth was the first American to successfully transmit a television signal. In l929 he sent a short movie through space and television was born.
Act I of The Ruby Sunrise takes place in a barn and farmhouse in rural Indiana in l927, before television sets were mass-produced and Farnsworth transmitted that first movie. A teenage girl and electronic wiz, Ruby, works day and night to create electronic television. Experiments are going on all over the world, with many pursuing the fame and fortune of such an achievement. Ruby is living with her aunt, who has a male college student as a boarder. The student falls in love with Ruby and changes her destiny.
For Act II, fast-forward 25 years to the l950s. Ruby has passed away and her daughter, Lulu, is a script assistant at a large New York television network. She wants very much for Ruby’s story to be made into a script and a full-scale production. She persuades a network freelance writer, Tad, to write it.
The producer loves the Idea, buys the story and begins production. Here we begin to learn some of the harsh realities of the era. This was the time of Senator McCarthy’s witch-hunts for communists, and the actress chosen to play Ruby is blacklisted for attending a peace meeting. The producer replaces her with a bimbo blond (wonderfully played by Noelle Jaycox in her community theater debut). Lulu fights the politically motivated changes that radically affect what will be seen by the viewers.
Dynamic and award-winning director Shirley Sacks has assembled an outstanding cast and I can’t recall when I have seen so many best actor and actress winners on the stage at the same time. Miranda Lawson gives a marvelous performance as Ruby, who dreams of changing the world with her invention. Ms. Lawson doubles back in Act II and plays Elisabeth Hunter, the black-listed actress.
Roger Lowe is powerful as the bombastic foul- mouthed producer who never heard a cuss word he didn’t like (and he uses all of them – you are hereby forewarned). In an interesting scene, he profusely uses earthy language to explain to Tad why he can’t use profanity in a script. “It is because this is, after all, going into people’s homes, that is why!”
Marcia Morgan-Cook is excellent as the alcoholic Aunt Lois in Act I, and then the aging actress Ethel, hired to play the aunt in the TV production. Marcia has wonderful stage presence and she has been away from the stage too long. You will love the stunning costumes she wears.
I have seen Josh Waller playing leads in so many musicals I tend to forget how fine he is as a dramatic actor. Waller is very convincing as the nebulous Tad Rose, who has a bad case of writer’s block. Joseph Walz is another musical theater leading man, expanding his resume with straight roles. Walz is a very believable college student who falls hard for Ruby and her unique project. He also plays dual roles and is Paul, the TV version of the polite and demure Henry in Act I.
Tracy Olin is the alluring, intelligent script coordinator, Lulu, who should have been writing the script, but hey – this was before the women’s rights movement. Back then all writers were men. Ms. Olin wears some sumptuous and chic female attire from the 50s, and part of the excitement of the play was waiting to see what she would wear in the next scene. Olin designed the costumes, and hairstyles for the show.
Jessica Palombo (makeup girl) and Chas Miller (cameraman) round out the cast.
Kelly Wagoner’s set design goes from a barn, filled with electronic gear, and a county kitchen to a TV studio. Both were right on the mark. Technical Director Jeff Wagoner even created a black and white TV scene. (Look for the test pattern). In the opening scene, the rear curtain is partially lit with a red light at the bottom to brilliantly represent a sunrise.
This is an intelligent script that may have you searching for more information about the wonder of television. Here is a bit of trivia you can share with your friends on the way to the theatre: Do you know who the patron saint of television is and why she was so chosen? Saint Clare of Assisi. In her old age, she was too sick to attend mass, so an image of the service would display on the wall of her room. The first television show! And it was in color too.
Don’t miss The Ruby Sunrise. Call (904) 396-4425. Thursday nights have special ticket prices for seniors, Military and Student. Turn the TV off and go see this play.
Article Published in the 03-08 Issue of EU Jacksonville
|
