“American Buffalo” at the Gamm

By Richard Pacheco

            David Mamet’s “American Buffalo” is an Am4rican classic, both praised and condemned when it first appeared. What was undeniable held by both admirers an detractors was the raw emotion and raw language that permeated the play with such vigor and conviction as well as bluntness. That has not faded at least in this production at the Gamm. It is a play about crude characters with crude language and no holds barred.

        

    Donny owns the ratty junk store where the play occurs. It is cluttered and cramped, overflowing with odds and ends that infiltrate everything. It all begins after Donny sells a buffalo nickel to a customer for $90 but later suspects it is worth considerably more. He and his go for Bobby plan to steal it back. Bobby keeps watch over the house and reports the guy has left for the weekend with a suitcase. Then Donny’s buddy Teach comes over and convinces Donny to dump Bobby, who is not the brightest bulb, and use him in the robbery instead. Te4ach is even more ambitious wants to rip off the whole collection. Donny insists his poker buddy Fletcher be brought in to the caper. The second act propels this all forward with unexpected consequences.

            Trinity Rep’s Fred Sullivan Jr. as Donny delivers a winning performance, a combination of boisterous

bluster and sincere heart. It is a poised, controlled performance that is rich and winning. He makes a wining addition to the ensemble with finesse and flair. Donny is a kind of dreamer or sorts in his junk shop, hoping for bigger and beter things but no exactly having the abilities to follow it through.

            Marc Dante Mancini is the young Bobby, an endearing young man who is not all that smart. He is very slow, doesn’t always catch everything but is sincere. It is a sparkling performance full of nice touches. There is a naiveté that is engaging he displays with assurance and skillfulness.

            Finally there is the explosive Teach played by Artistic Director Tony Estrella with seething anger and raunchy power. Teach is gruff, rough in both manner and language, a no holds barred kind of guy. He is like a volcano ready to explode and explode he does in the second act with unbridled fury that seethes everywhere with raw ruthless energy. He is overconfident in the extreme. He knows he can do the job regardless under any circumstances. He has little tolerance for anyone around him and even less patience.

            It is the Mamet dialogue that sets the tone and character of this play. The banter between Teach and Donny is at times like vaudeville comedy with its sass and impeccable timing. It is often brutal and relentless with a sharp edge and refuses to yield.

            Trinity Rep Director Tyler Dobrowsky keeps the energy fast and furious rapidly moving in on the target with raw abundance.  Any difficulties in the production come for the play’s shorting comings in that there are no deep questions here norac any real conclusion or resolution to it all. The Patrick Lynch set with its two floors of tottering teetering precarious junk is wonderful and rich and sheer delight.

            “American Buffalo” runs through Dec. 18 at the Sandra Feinstein-Gamm Theatre, 172 Exchange St., Pawtucket. Tickets are $4-$52. Call (401) 723-4266, or visit gammtheatre.org.

“Paragon Springs” at Theatre One

By Richard Pacheco

            After one of the most contentious elections in American history, this play by Steven Deitz who wrote last year’s “Yankee Tavern” is particularly powerful and is based on Ibsen’s “Enemy of the People.” The resulting play is a vivid at times funny theatrical experience that is brought vividly to life as the doctor discovers some problems with the water supply for the spa, which may in fact create serious health issues. It is set in the 1920’s and puts the focus on corporate greed and the town’s self interest versus the doctors dedicated quest to expose the truth no matter the cost to him or the town. The resulting political conflict, which arises pitting brother against brother, family against family and lover against lover all for the sake of profit at all costs.

            Robert Duquette is Dr. Thomas Stockman the doctor who finds issues with the spa waters and pursues it with integrity and passion and determination despite all odds. Dr. Stockman is an idealist an dedicated doctor who is sincere is his dedication to maintain his integrity and protect unsuspecting people. Duquette is solid in the role, full of fire and sincerity, deft and able in portraying the raw determination of this man to continue regardless of the circumstances against him including family. It is a persuasive and convincing performance.

            Frank Piekut is Peter Stockman, Thomas’ brother and the mayor as well as chairman of the spa. He is the epitome of the politician, able to take opposing sides simultaneously, shifting direction at the slightest motivation whenever he feels it benefits him in some way. He can be ruthless and underhanded when it serves him. He is slick and nefarious always. Piekut is right on the mark in the role, the right mixture of bluster and deception He is bluster and poised for betrayal with a superficial charm.

            Susan  Salveston is Dr. Stockman long suffering wife. She is often an unintended victim of his dreaming and ethical determination which frequently brings a high cost for her and her family. She is resolute and faithful in her unrelenting dedication to her husband. Salveston is fine in the role, poised and dedicated. Vanessa Lima is daughter Lorna who is often the voice of reason in the difficult times. She is dedicated to her father because he taught her to be an individual. Lima is sincere and determined in the role, full  of energy and conviction.

            Manny Moitoso is editor Eric Hovstad who is conflict between printing the truth and being concerned bout the financial status of not just the town but his newspaper which is in a financially precarious position. His turmoil is vivid and genuine and Moitoso is right on target in his portrayal in a precise and winning performance. Todd Stadler is his brother Lars, who is engaged to Loran and caught up between his loyalty to his brother and love of Lorna over the issues facing the town. He is also in conflict with Lorna’s drive for true equality.

            Thom White is the realistic and somewhat callous and smug printer of the town’s newspaper. He is a mover and shaker and knows it and is not afraid to boast about it freely and frequently. White is excellent in the role, capturing the smugness and arrogant confidence with flair and convincing dash.

            Dan Groves is Hollis a man in the midst of his dreams with no clear direction, but sincere. Groves delivers and deftly nuanced performance that is rich and convincing. Elizabeth Goulart is his wife, Rose, a woman who has made clear choices but is not exactly happy with them over the years. Yet she is hopeful of a better future and continues to plod on to achieve it no matter what. Goulart is perfectly restrained and sincere in the role with a vivid and convincing performance. Finally there is Kathy Bourne as the Widow Kroger how married the now dead Stockman father and is overbearing with inflated self-importance and vast supplies of ego and self confidence. Bourne is excellent in the role and provides much of the comic touches in the play with skill and flair.

            Peg Holzemer directs with assurance and confidence, getting a fine            ensemble performances from her excellent cast.

            This is a vivid and darling production that is not to be missed.

Theatre One’s production of “Paragon Springs” continues Sunday, November 13 with a 2pm matinee; November 18 and 19 at 7:30pm and Sunday, November 20 at 2pm at the Alley Theatre, 133 Center Street, Middleboro. Tickets are $20 general admission; $18 for students and senior citizens. Cash only. Reservations are not necessary. Doors open ½ hour prior to curtain. Theatre One accepts food donations for the Middleboro COA Senior Pantry at all performances. For information call 1-774-213-5193.

“Doubt” at Ocean State

By Richard Pacheco

            John Patrick Shanley’s “Doubt” is a haunting and provocative play set in 1964 at a Catholic Church under the cloud of potential sexual misconduct. The production is riveting and powerful with a rich resonance the echoes throughout with excellent directing and staunch and memorable performances. It is all about uncertainty and how unlikely it is to ever know the truth.

            The Pulitzer Prize, Tony Award winning play is riveting as it deals with uncertainty and moving to judgment with little or no proof. This is the attracting of the play, which deals not in certainties but rather uncertainties and suspicions.

            Donna Sorbello is the fierce, relentless and doubting Sister Aloysius who was marred before entering the order. She is deeply jealous of Father Flynn’s efforts to help ht only black boy in the school who is under pressure and doesn’t feel like it fits in while the priest tries to help him, inspire him and comfort him to the dismay of the nun. Sorbello is pitch perfect as the determined nun with dark visions of misconduct.

            Greg London is Father Flynn a genuinely caring priest who opens his heart to the young boy to help him fit into the school. He has an easy going demeanor that is inviting and pleasant and Leonard deftly conveys the compassion in the priest and his dislike of the nun’s harshness and relentless spirit. He is more the embodiment of the church’s spirit and attitude than she is.

            Caitlin Davies is the young Sister James. She loves teaching and her student and is very kind to them, often inviting Sister Aloysius’ anger and disapproval. There is an innocence and genuine charm to her openness and kindness. Davies handles it all with skill and finesse, delivering a convincing portrait.

           he final member of this superb cast is Lovely Hoffman as black altar boy’s mother who admires Father Flynn and appreciates his the attention he shows her son, who suffers enough from his father with beatings and disapproval. It is a stunning performance albeit brief and when she confronts Sister Aloysius about the allegations about her son and the priest it is powerful and riveting.

            Artistic director Aimee Turner delivers her best directing job on a comedy or drama to date. She evokes, provokes the best from her actors with skill and finesse.

            Erik D. Diaz’s set is superb. Simply stunning as it adroitly evokes not only the church, but Sister Aloysius’ office and outside in the garden with an attention to detail and imagination.

            Add all these elements together and you have a winning production that resonates with sincerity and rich subtleties.

            “Doubt” runs through Nov. 20 at Ocean State Theater, 1245 Jefferson Blvd., Warwick. Tickets are $24-$39. Call (401) 921-6800, or visit oceanstatetheatre.org.