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 The Sunshine Boys at the Guthrie

Quote of the Day:  As an actor, no one could touch him. As a human being, no one would want to. - Sunshine Boys character Willy Clark, commenting on his comedic partner Al Lewis.

I attended this one with the Biker Chef.

The comedic team of Lewis and Clark were once the hit of Vaudeville, the times before radio and television, when people had to leave their houses to find entertainment. Comedy was quick, witty, and full of sight gags. The costumes alone caused a chuckle. So, what happened to the legendary Lewis & Clark? They split up after an appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show, and haven't seen or spoken to each other in 11 years.

As any touring group knows, what appears to click on stage, often clashes off stage. Personalities collide. Entertainers wrestle for creative control. Personal habits and relationships cause conflict. So, it is with Lewis & Clark. (see the above quote) They worked together for years, spitting in each other's faces, arguing about the lines and the delivery, but in the end admiring the other for his talents. The truth is, they need each other, and neither one is willing to admit it. In an attempt at a revival of the act, we are shown what it means to work as a team. Peter Michael Goetz (Clark) and Raye Birk (Lewis) are that kind of brilliant team as they bring to life Neil Simon's The Sunshine Boys.

I was drawn into the story of these two aging actors, how entertainment changed during their careers, and what elements are needed for good comedy. What made us laugh during this show? The writer, of course, needs to provide good material, the set-up. Some jokes happen within a few lines. Others are set up early in the show and get the biggest laugh when it's brought back at the end. The actors need great comedic timing and play off each other, as well as play to the audience. They need to give us a chance to laugh without making it seem like they're expecting our response. The audience loves it when we know something that another character doesn't know, and we anticipate the reaction. Also, we respond with increasing laughter to repetition. We are so easy, as audience, to laugh at a recurring joke or physical schtick, like the locks on the door, or the rearranging of furniture, or the look on the "doctor's" face when the curvey nurse bends over. The actors need to be willing to play the fool, while pointing out the folly in all of us.

The Sunshine Boys is playing at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis through September 2. Click on the link to watch video clips, see photos, and for ticket information. It's both a look at entertainment of the past, and an enjoyable evening in the present.

In the show, Lewis & Clark try to explain to Clark's nephew what words are funny. They say, "Words that start with K, or have a K sound in them, are funny. Cookies is funny." Before the old boys start their rehearsal, they talk about crackers. Clark says, "I only have Graham, (something) and coconut." Notice how I remembered coconut crackers? Try saying it out loud. Does it give you a little chuckle?

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  Make a list of funny words or phrases. Use humor in your writing, in your art, and in your life. It really is the best medicine.

The Biker Chef and I had fun on our first trip to the Metro together, and our first show at the Guthrie together. More on our Metro adventure later this week. Here's a teaser; We ate at this pub. Do you know where it is, or the name of the place?

I had good comedic timing in snapping this photo.

You can imagine what these two bartenders were discussing.