by dick kerekes dickkerekes@yahoo.com
St. Augustine’s Limelight Theatre last weekend opened Tom Dudzik’s cultural clash comedy Greetings to run through January 7th.
We tend to think of Christmas as a happy time, with joy to the world, but many families experience difficulties that often results in domestic violence (just check the police blotter in any city). This play is about family difficulties more than it is about Christmas.
This play is set in the home of a Polish Catholic family in Pittsburgh named Gorski. There is conflict and tension all the time because father Phil (Eddie Gantner) is always finding fault with everything and everyone, except for his grown son Mickey (Stephen Pigman) who has been mentally retarded since birth. Wife, Emily (Carol Mandel) puts up with his ranting about the neighbors who do not put up decorations, or fly flags on patriotic holidays and his general sour attitude toward life.
On this Christmas Eve, Phil has something new to raise his dander. His oldest son, Andy (Zack Bass) has brought home for Christmas his girl friend from New York, Randi (Cathy O’Brien). Andy has makes the mistake of announcing he is planning marry Randi. All hell breaks loose when she explains she is Jewish and an atheist!
Father Phil and mother Emily began to question her on how she can explain life while not believing in God. Needless to say Phil is livid.
Mickey, wonderfully played by Mr. Pigman, has only uttered three words his life, but then suddenly his body is inhabited by a “spirit” who takes Mickey’s place and begins to talk with very haughty English accent. Well, as you imagine this diverted the Catholic marrying a Jew controversy.
Now I don’t buy into the paranormal, ghosts or spirits stuff personally, but Lucius is a pretty wise and witty guy and his various bits of advise to the family is like going to a motivational seminar. (What I mean is you will learn something!). I rather liked Lucius and he grows on you but he is not really around long so listen carefully while he is there.
I won’t revel the ending, except it is mostly happy with little secrets about the character lives revealed. All the actors, under the Director Jean Rahner, give very good characterizations although I would have liked Andy to have a New York accent like his mother and father.
The costumes by Stacey Capo meet the demands of the story, nothing fancy here, just regular everyday clothing.
Set Designer Scott Ashley’s middle class home is large and lovely but missing a couple of items to make it more believable. The show is in the present, but there is no TV in the living room. Phil was obviously a Pittsburgh Pirate fan, as he has a large painting on the wall about baseball he would have had a TV. It would have also been a learning tool for Mickey.
The opening scene of the show is on the plane with Randi and Andy. The pilot announces there is plenty of snow in Pittsburgh, and they will have a white Christmas.
The tree branches outside of the Goski home which are totally bare would have looked great with some fake snow on them.
The lighting designer (who is not listed) really stretched the capacity of the lights, having such a large stage and both the normal scene and the “spirit” scenes to cover. There are some “hot” spots. At times actors in center stage were in the light talking to another actor, very much in subdued light. It was distracting.
I was surprised on how large the crowd was on a Sunday afternoon, considering all the football games on TV and Christmas shopping season. I guess the point is, this show is a great way to take a break in all the activities connected with this time of year. Relax, laugh and spend a couple of hours in the comfortable Limelight Theatre in the Joukowsky Family Foundation Center for the Performing Arts at 11 Old Mission Ave in St. Augustine, Call 904-825-1164 for tickets.
Limelight will be changing its theme song, “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head.” in 2007 as their leaking roof will be fixed right after Greetings closes. In addition, there will be some remodeling of the building, which will be hopefully completed for their first 2007 show, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. February 8th.
Having relatives visit over the holiday? Take to see Greetings as a special treat.Check out their website for more information at www.limelight-theatre.org.
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