Review of Born Yesterday at The Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis

Quote of the Day:  That's the problem, there are too many good people in this town! line by Paul Verrall, referring to Washington, D.C., from the play Born Yesterday, by Garson Kanin, directed by John Miller-Stephany, playing at The Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, Nov. 23, 2013 - Jan. 5, 2014.

John Patrick Hayden (Paul Verrall) and Jeff Still (Harry Brock) in the Guthrie Theater's production of Born Yesterday by Garson Kanin. Directed by John Miller-Stephany, set design by Todd Rosenthal, costume design by Mathew J. LeFebvre, and lighting design by Marcus Dilliard. November 23, 2013 - January 5, 2014 in the McGuire Proscenium Stage at the Guthrie Theater, Minneapolis. Photo by T. Charles Erickson.

Garson Kanin wrote Born Yesterday in the 1940's, during World War II, and it premiered on Broadway in 1946. He was bold in his criticism of the US government, politicians, and those who try to control them. In his play, Harry Brock is a thug, a mob boss of sorts, who has bullied his way to financial success and power. He has come to Washington, D.C. to buy himself a senator. While he has the wealth of a king, he has the mannerisms of schoolyard bully. He expects people to jump at his every command and barks orders at everyone from the bellhop to his girlfriend, Billie Dawn. Billie is no dummy, despite Harry Brock constantly telling her that she's stupid. Oh, no, she knows how to get what she wants. Although, Harry Brock wants to keep her in the dark, he's equally embarrassed that she comes off as a dumb broad in the high society of Washington, D.C. Enter, Paul Verrall, a writer with a bend towards truth and justice. Harry Brock thinks the writer is just the man to educate Billie. In the end, we see just who is educating whom.

Photo by T. Charles Erickson

John Patrick Hayden as Paul Verrall and Alexis Bronkovic as Billie Dawn

Sparks fly between the writer and the chorus girl.

Born Yesterday  is a comedy with serious undertones. The setting is a corrupt Washington, D.C. The main characters are using whatever means they can to survive and get ahead. The clash of cultures between the so-called civilized and the uneducated creates laughs. The characters, their actions and interactions, are titillating. Sometimes, we laugh because we're uncomfortable. Sometimes, we laugh at the ridiculousness of it all, and sometimes, we laugh because what seems like an exaggeration is most likely understatement.

While the set-up is funny and the characters delightful, at times even caricature, abuse is no laughing matter. I got nervous when Harry Brock verbally abused everyone around him. I felt sick when he carried through with his threats. That part is not meant to make light of abuse. It shows how dark some people are and to what means they will go to maintain power. It created enough tension to make me wonder if this play should really be billed as a comedy.

Born Yesterday is visually stunning with a gorgeous set, a swanky hotel in Washington, D.C., including a view of the capital outside the window, and costumes that you can't take your eyes off of. Billie Dawn keeps all eyes on her as she ascends the stairs to change out of her dressing gown. The show is so well cast, and all of the actors seemed to become their characters. Alexis Bronkovic earned her standing ovation. Peter Thomson who plays the senator reminded me of a character out of a 1950's television show, like Alan Brady in The Dick Van Dyke Show.

I attended this production with my friend Krista, her mom, sister, and niece. Before the show, we enjoyed a delicious dinner at the Level 5 Cafe at the Guthrie, served by a delightful waiter named Ray. (When you release your first film, we'll be in the front row, ready to write a stellar review!)

Photo by Krista Rolfzen Soukup.

Do you see a familiar face in the mirror?

The stunning Rolfzen women.

Thanks for letting me hang with you!

Also playing at the Guthrie is their traditional A Christmas Carol. I missed attending the blogger event for that show because the Brainerd Warriors football team kept winning! We won the semi-finals on blogger night, and played in the championship game on Saturday night. It was a tough loss to the outstanding Owatonna team. My son Zach is a sophomore on the Warriors team, so, of course, we attended both games. The boys were disappointed that we missed our chance to attend A Christmas Carol for blogger night. They suggested we could go at a different time. It really is a great show for the family, minus the youngest ones because the ghosts can be scary. My sister Joy attended A Christmas Carol and said it was as great as last year, plus more dancing, which she loves. She went with her boyfriend who was there for the first time, and he loved it. They're both interested in seeing Born Yesterday which is a great show for teens and older, another way to have a great night on the town in Minneapolis. 

A Christmas Carol  is running through December 29, 2013.

Born Yesterday is running through January 5, 2014.

Go to The Guthrie Theater for tickets and showtimes.

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  What are some of your favorite comedies or holiday shows?

Review of Uncle Vanya at The Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis

Quote of the Day:  I hope that in the next world I shall be able to look back at this life and say: "Those were beautiful dreams..." Anton Chekhov (quote used in the program at the Guthrie Theater for the play Uncle Vanya by Anton Chekhov, adaptation by Brian Friel, directed by Joe Dowling.)

Andrew Weems as Uncle Vanya (Ivan Voynitsky) and Jim Lichtscheidl as Ilya Telegin (Waffles)

Photo by Joan Marcus

If you've ever wanted to see a production of an Anton Chekhov play, but were a little leery about connecting to a play written in the late 1800's in Russia, then The Guthrie Theater's production of Uncle Vanya is for you. Even if this isn't one of the events on your bucket list, I say add it, now. This is your chance to see superb actors bringing to life a classic piece that has been adapted for the stage by a living playwright, Brian Friel, who has kept the feeling of the setting, while making the play accessible to a modern audience.

Valeri Mudek as Elena, Jim Lichtscheidl and "Waffles", Andrew Weems as Uncle Vanya, 

and Emily Gunyou Halaas as Sonya, photo by Joan Marcus

The characters in the play are just like you and me, and the guy down the street. We're dealing with similar issues today, dissatisfaction with your position in life, loving someone who doesn't return the admiration, a longing for what could have been. The play even has an environmentalist concerned about deforestation. As each of the characters move through the story, as we move through our own lives, we examine who we are, where we came from, and what we'd really like to be doing. Some people remain stuck in the "coulda, woulda, shoulda" thinking, while others live in the moment, making the best out of what they have.

Jim Lichtscheidel as "Waffles", Andrew Weems as Uncle Vanya, and John Catron as Mikhail Astrov

photo by Joan Marcus

Chekhov, Friel, and the actors who portray the characters, do a nice job of adding levity to heavy subjects. I attended this show with the Biker Chef. I asked him to tell me three things he liked about the show. His first answer, Jim Lichtscheidl playing "Waffles." What a great comic relief character. He has humorous lines, a sweaty condition, and a great attitude about life. He lives in the present. The other great character who got many laughs was Nanny, played by Barbara Kingsley, wonderful. She reminded me of Estelle Getty's character in "The Golden Girls," well beyond holding back on an honest assessment of the characters or their situations.

Nanny played by Barbara Kingsley, and Robert Dorfman as Alexander Serebryakov

Photo by Joan Marcus

The third thing, the Chef and I agreed, that made the show was the music. Victor Zupanc, listed as the Music Coach, made the selections for this performance. Jim Lichtscheidl plays the guitar live on stage, and Nathan Barlow (Yefim, night watchman) sings a haunting melody during some of the evening scenes. This, along with piano music, set the mood of the show, beautifully.

Uncle Vanya is playing at The Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, MN, September 14 - October 27, 2013, on the Wurtele Thrust Stage. Go to their website for ticket information. We went on a game day, meaning the Vikings' game was also that afternoon and therefore, huge hikes in parking prices, but we were able to prepay for a spot in the ramp across from the Guthrie Theater. Call the box office for assistance with that, 612-377-2224.

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  Make a list of the things in your life that give you joy and a feeling of satisfaction.