Guare’s classic tragicomedy a must-see at Gamm

Don Fowler
Posted 3/12/15

John Guare’s “The House of Blue Leaves” was written during the turbulent Vietnam War but is as relevant today as it was back then.

The Obie Award and Drama Critics’ Circle Award winner is …

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Guare’s classic tragicomedy a must-see at Gamm

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John Guare’s “The House of Blue Leaves” was written during the turbulent Vietnam War but is as relevant today as it was back then.

The Obie Award and Drama Critics’ Circle Award winner is a must-see play for theatre lovers, not only because it is well written but also because director Fred Sullivan Jr. knows how to handle the quirky characters and crazy plot.

We first meet Artie Shaughnessy (Tom Gleadow) singing his own songs at Amateur Night at Queens Eldorado Bar, where they make him pay for his drinks.

Artie is a zookeeper by day and a not-very-good songwriter by night, living unhappily with Bananas, his mentally ill wife (Jeanine Kane), and planning to run away to California with his mistress and downstairs neighbor Bunny (Rachel Delude). They are preparing for the Pope’s visit to New York City, only blocks from their house.

The three wonderful actors carry the first act, which ends with the appearance of son Ronnie, who is preparing to blow up the Pope.

The second act goes ballistic with the arrival of three nuns, Artie’s old school pal’s girlfriend, Corrina (Karen Carpenter), a fading movie star with a hearing problem, and eventually Billy himself (Steven Liebhauser).

Guare has the characters talking to each other like one of them is not in the room and then talking directly to the audience. The techniques require tight direction and perfect delivery from the actors, which they pull off to perfection.

Artie is an anomaly. You will love him and hate him. You will feel sorry for him and then want him to fail. He treats his wife horribly and then is full of regrets for his actions.

The very black comedy has a final scene that will make you laugh and cry, with the situation getting completely out of hand as things get quite physical. And then there’s the final blow, which leaves the audience stunned, realizing that they did indeed witness both comedy and tragedy.

Patrick Lynch’s set design and Sullivan’s staging allow the actors to move freely about the limited space. There isn’t a weak spot in the production, with over a half dozen actors making their smaller roles important to the play.

Tom Gleadow makes a perfect Artie Shaughnessy, with all of his weaknesses, indiscretions and dreams for a better life.

Jeanine Kane makes Bunny a sympathetic and unpredictable character, keeping everyone on their toes, wondering what she will do or say next. Rachel Dulude, who has played a number of supporting roles at Gamm, is just plain terrific as Bunny. Put them all together and you have one heck of an entertaining evening of theatre.

“The House of Blue Leaves” is at the Sandra-Feinstein Gamm Theatre, 172 Exchange St. in Pawtucket through April 5. Tickets are $41 and $49. Call 723-4266 for reservations.

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