Reviewed by Tony Annicone
The year is 1939 and the audience is transported back to Atlanta and the biggest thing at that time in United States was the premiere of “Gone With the Wind” but not to some of the folks there. The most important thing was the top social event for elitist German Jews called Ballyhoo which surpassed the startling news of Hitler’s invasion of Poland that sparked World War II. This is the basic premise for “The Last Night of Ballyhoo” which is the second show of Renaissance City Theatre Inc.’s 19th season at the Granite Theatre. It also points out how people should accept their shared heritage and not hold wealth or social position above everything else. Director David Jepson casts this show with 7 strong performers who display the acting prowess necessary to carry off this well written roles.
The beautiful set is by David Jepson. He brings out the best in his cast in this Tony Award winning play. Some of the dialogue is a bit talky at times as you meet the cast members but it picks up as it goes along. Mary Sue Frishman plays the snooty, Beulah, Boo Levy who casts aspersions on anyone who doesn’t believe the way she does. She makes fun of Orthodox Jews for their strict fervor and only believes that rich German Jews are what suits her daughter best. Boo has a Christmas tree in the house even thought they are Jewish and she bosses her brother, sister-in-law and everyone around her because she was cut out of the family business. Mary Sue brings this unlikable woman to life and also brings out the humor in some tense situations. David’s twin brother, Michael Jepson plays Adolph Freitag. He’s the wealthy brother who even though he cares for his family, is hen pecked by Boo. To escape her nagging Adolph displays a voracious appetite which leads to some laughs. The audience cheers when Adolph finally stands up to Boo’s bullying in an strong scene.
Christine Reynolds wins many laughs as the scatter-brained mother, Reba. However even though the part is comic in nature, Reba is sympathetic to her daughter’s dreams for the future and cares deeply about the rest of the family, too. One of her funniest lines is when asked what is wrong with Lala, she exclaims that she must be constipated. Dark and handsome Hassan DeMartino plays Joe Farkas, from Brooklyn who is a Russian Jew and not German like the family that he’s visiting. Joe is warm and friendly during his visits and wins the hearts of the ladies of the house except for the shrewish, Boo. Hassan’s strong acting ability comes through as he wins the girl of his dreams and shows her how to overcome the bigotry around them. He convinces Sunny of his beliefs. Pretty brunette, Ali Mitchell plays the pivotal role of Sunny who brings lightness into this dysfunctional family. She reveals how she was mistreated for being Jewish in the past at a swimming pool and how it affected her while growing up. Sunny realizes that she is doing the same thing by not accepting Joe for being a Russian Jew. Hassan and Ali have a wonderful chemistry as this couple and the audience cheers the eventual kiss. It is a truly heartwarming moment in this show.
Sarah Reed brings a great deal of energy to her role as Boo’s daughter, the temperamental Lala. She is a wonderful comic actress and she displays her acting chops in it by playing the delusional girl who wants to make Joe fall madly in love with her. Even though the character is comical, she’s also petty and unpleasant at times but her ball gown and her fainting in it, leave the audience in stitches. Rounding out the cast is Tom Steenburg who is clad in a red haired wig as Peachy. The character doesn’t enter until Act 2 but comes onstage with his wisecracking and joking ways. So for a trip to the past where we can learn how to get along in the present day circumstances, be sure to catch “The Last Night of Ballyhoo” where you will not only laugh a great deal but learn an important lesson about prejudices of the past and how they should not be repeated.
THE LAST NIGHT OF BALLYHOO ( 26 April to 11 May)
Renaissance City Theatre Inc., Granite Theatre, 1 Granite Street, Westerly, RI
1(401)596-2341 or www.granitetheatre.com
