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Writing for CurtainUp NYC Weather
The Winning Streak
By Liz Keill
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I’m fascinated by fan psychology, and particularly by baseball fans.
--- Playwright Lee Blessing
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Actor Dan Lauria is the father, a retired major league umpire, whose life has basically disintegrated. He’s slovenly, bored, a beer drinker and his primary interest is watching baseball --either at the ballpark or on television.
Lauria’s Omar Carlyle lives for "the winning streak." His own apparently happened around the time he had a one night stand that resulted in a son he never knew. Prompted by his own son's questions about his grandfather, Ryland Davis, played by Brennan Brown, looks Carlyle up.
The two men are from different worlds: Ryland is an art restoration specialist, a far cry from the rough and tumble world of sports. As you watch them spar over the play's 90-minute course you hope for some sort of redemption. I was actually looking for a happy ending in which Dad discovers that life has value and his son inviting him into the normal world of his happy family. That, however, is not the scenario that ultimately plays out. Playwright Blessing has evolved twists and turns, as each reveals hurtful experiences and disappointments.
Mr. Lauria, last seen in George Street's Inspecting Carol and was the Dad on the Emmy award winning"The Wonder Years, is tough and believable as the father. He really does seemsto be living this dreary existence in a dirty apartment, relying on beer and a few ball games to give his life meaning. Brown, a well-credentialed actor (The Second Man and The Persians Off-Broadway and Major Barbara on Broadway) is equally convincing as Ryland. He starts off on a positive note, but then lets us see that he cannot sustain certain illusions.
The play’s setting is stark, bare bones, reflecting the emptiness of these lost souls. Sarah L. Lambert’s set design is a simple affair of steps and broad spaces that serve as bars and other locations. Lighting by Tom Sturge lends atmosphere and Elizabeth Rhodes’ sound design keeps us attuned to the world of baseball. The director, Lucie Tiberghien, has staged a taut, tightly woven story.
There’s no doubt that Mr. Blessing is a talented playwright. His A Walk in the Woods, which was nominated for the Tony and Olivier awards as well as a Pulitzer Prize, recently received a fine production at George Street. Though The Winning Streak has its winning moments, it is often slow, with dialogue that's too stretched out and two characters we ultimately don't really care about.
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The Winning Streak Written by Lee Blessing Directed by Lucie Tibergrien Cast: Dan Lauria, Brennan Brown Set design: Sarah L. Lambert Costume design: Moe Schell Lighting design: Tom Sturge Sound design: Elizabeth Rhodes Running time: 90 minutes, no intermission George Street Playhouse, New Brunswick, NJ 732-246-7717 Through 1/30/05 Reviewed by Liz Keill Friday, Jan. 7, 2005 |
Easy-on-the budget super gift for yourself and your musical loving friends. Tons of gorgeous pictures.
Retold by Tina Packer of Shakespeare & Co.
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