by dick kerekes dickkerekes@yahoo.com
Tom Dudzik’s Greetings, is the current production of First Coast Theatre Arts in Riverside and will be on stage until December 16th. With a title of Greetings, this sounds like a Christmas play. It does take place on Christmas Eve, but the play deals with family issues, religion, mental illness and the paranormal.
Andy Gorski(Kenny Logsdon) and his fiancée, Randi Stein (Erin Searcy) fly from New York to Pittsburgh to spend Christmas with Andy’s Catholic family consisting of, his father Phil (Robert Pogachnik), mother Emily (Kathryn Hill) and brother Mickey (Mark Rubens).
Complications set in from the get go, when Andy announces he is going to marry Randi and it is learned she is Jewish and an atheist. Mickey is a mentally challenged adult and has only uttered only two phrases his entire life, wow and oh boy. Mickey’s body is suddenly temporarily inhabited by a wise and witty spirit, Lucius (that’s the paranormal part of the play). Lucius challenges the core values of each individual in a unique way and sets to healing this family.
Bob Pogachnik is perfectly cast as Phil, the hard to please, grouchy, and opinionated father ala Archie Bunker style. Kathryn Hill may be the most underrated actress in Jacksonville. In the roles I have seen her in, she always gives a solid performance and as Emily she is excellent as the peacemaker who has had to tolerate an ill-tempered husband for years.
Mr. Logsdon and Ms. Searcy are well matched as the romantic couple and have both been active in various roles on First Coast Stage. Both did shows at Theater Jacksonville last year. Kenny was marvelous as the young preacher in God’s Man in Texas and Erin was equally impressive as a concerned military wife in “Silent Heroes”.
I have seen Mark Rubens in every play he has done in this city, and I have been impressed with his versatility as an actor. Playing Mickey, a mentally retarded adult, he gives a tour de force performance and I can’t name many actors that could do this role.
My experience is that audiences are uncomfortable with mental illness on stage, but Mark made Mickey a likable character that we could relate to. When he changes to his alter ego, Lucius, Rubens moves to another level in acting with a superb characterization. Bravo Mr. Rubens
First Coast Theatre Artistic Director Bill Kroner directed this play and this is the fourth time he has done it, he knows the material well. His direction was very insightful and exceptionally sharp and crisp. Kroner also designed the cozy living room of the Gorski home that has the feeling of a strong religious family.
Reggie Cauthen operated the lights and sound, and the choice of scene change music was excellent and put us in a holiday mood.
This show sounds very serious, but the subjects are handled with humor and it is actually quite funny. The play has some very touching moments between Mickey and his family that will tug at your heart strings. I highly recommend this show for this time of the year. Call 387 5276 for reservations. The theatre is located at l0l4 King St. (right next to the Burger King).
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