Ray Bradbury´s Gift of Love
Gayle Bartos-Pool
January 18, 2010
As with all of Bradbury´s stories, there is a story behind the story. Over fifty years ago, the venerable author met esteemed actor Charles Laughton and his wife, Elsa Lanchester. Laughton had originally asked Bradbury to write him a science fiction tale. Bradbury dashed off Fahrenheit 451, but to his dismay, the actor said it won´t work. (Would that he knew how that story eventually came out.)
Nevertheless, Laughton, mentor and friend to the young writer, asked if he would pen a musical. Again Bradbury said yes and came up with Wisdom. But circumstances beyond everyone´s control halted production. And finally, Laughton´s death seemed to curtail all thoughts of reviving the project.
But dreams never die and in a new century, Ray Bradbury brought back the tale he wrote for his friends those many years ago. Dedicated and inspired by Mr. Laughton and his wife, this tale is both a Christmas present and Valentine.
Developed, Directed, and Choreographed by the uber-talented Steve Josephson, with music by John Hoke, book and lyrics by Ray Bradbury. Set Design by J.W. Layne. The fantastic costumes designed by Sarah Schuessler. The astounding make-up by Darlene Krantz, and wigs by Gregg Barnette. Lighting by Stuart A. Fabel. Featured also were the delightful Czech Marionettes, so artfully crafted, they needed recognition.
The performance begins with Mr. Marionette, played by magnificent baritone, David Stoneman, seated on a large trunk. With flute in hand, he pipes the opening notes, then lifts the trunk´s lid and out comes a life-size marionette. She is followed by another and then another, until five marvelous dancers have taken the stage. The Opening Night performance featured Christine Reese, Samantha Marcella, Jesse Mclean, Steve Josephson, and Anthony Scarano. Alternating in the roles are Shanti Harter, Sarah Mann, Monica Thibodeaux, and Drew Ruesch.
The wonderful story centers around an elderly couple celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary. Each wishes to provide something special for their respective spouses in case of their demise. Shades of "Gift of the Magi," this futuristic couple, Mr. and Mrs. Wycherly, see Mr. Marionette´s delightful puppets (the Czech Marionettes) and then hear him say he can make any size life-like robot, so they each seek him out and ask for a replica of themselves, but younger, and with all their imagined attributes. She wants the robot to have a high I.Q., be a sexual volcano, etc., etc. He wants an even higher I.Q., know every song ever written, and be a veritable fount of information. Their desires become so obviously exaggerated that Mr. Marionette says in an aside that "they are so full of pomp and flatteries, there will be no room for the batteries."
Lisa Morrice, who plays Mrs. Wycherly, has both an amazing voice and incredible facial movements that captures the older character perfectly. Rob Harryman plays the elderly husband. The young actor mastered the senior physicality with stooped shoulders and shuffling gait.
Mr. Marionette enlists his own robots to build the duplicates. One of the robots, Anthony Scarano, was a Wow! doing his "mechanical man" dance. (Note: all the characters on stage, human and robot, sport a barcode on their neck. So very "Bradbury" to think of that for our future.)
Once the robots are finished, two large wrapped gift boxes are delivered to the anxious couple. Mr. Wycherly opens his first. The fetching bride doll amazes him, so he winds her up and lets her perform. With a coy smile and saucy stance, she entreats him to "Just squeeze me." He does, and this little hottie with the bawdy repartee quotes passages from famous books, recalls incidents from Wycherly´s married life, and talks and talks and talks. Jessie Mclean plays the Bride-bot with sass and charm.
Mrs. Wycherly discovers a bare-chested Chippendale-like robot in her box. He loves to dance. He dances her off her feet. The incredible Steve Josephson did the honors first night.
Mr. Wycherly manages to get the Bride-bot back in the box and pleads for Mr. Marionette to "unscrew her," because he can´t shut her up. The older couple cling to each other, distressed over these young androids who know nothing of life. Lessons are learned before Mr. Marionette puts all the dolls back in the trunk.
The remarkable performances run through February 27, 2010, at the Fremont Centre Theatre, 1000 Fremont Ave. (at El Centro), South Pasadena, CA.
Performances: Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. Sundays at 3 p.m. Admission: $20. Seniors, $15. Students, $10.
Reservations: (323) 960-4451. Online Ticketing: www.Plays411.com/raybradbury
Print
Email
