FOR BORING TALK, HERE'S AN 'OPTION'.Byline: Evan Henerson Theater Critic IT MAY NOT be entirely fair to ponder the dramatic might-have-beens had Dakin Matthews - an exceptional actor as well as an erudite er·u·dite adj. Characterized by erudition; learned. See Synonyms at learned. [Middle English erudit, from Latin author/director/translator - starred in his new play ``The Savannah Savannah, city, United States Savannah, city (1990 pop. 137,560), seat of Chatham co., SE Ga., a port of entry on the Savannah River near its mouth; inc. 1789. Option.'' Possibly even opposite his wife, Anne McNaughton, who directs ``Option's'' world premiere Noun 1. world premiere - (music) the first public performance (as of a dramatic or musical work) anywhere in the world performance, public presentation - a dramatic or musical entertainment; "they listened to ten different performances"; "the play ran for 100 production for the Andak Stage Company in NoHo. Whether he's playing classics or contemporary, Matthews as performer tends to burn up a stage. And this two-character play sure could use some heat. It's not that Michael Winters Michael Winters is an American television actor, best known for his portrayal of Taylor Doose on the dramedy television series Gilmore Girls. Apart from his recurring Gilmore Girls and Julia Fletcher Julia Fletcher, sometimes credited as Julia DeMita, is a voice actress whose throaty, articulate vocals have graced many popular animated works and video games. Among her best known roles are the Instructor (narrator) in The Animatrix: The Second Renaissance - the actors who play a pair of long-winded intellectuals - aren't up to snuff. They're fine: credible, callow (when needed) and occasionally capable of getting an audience to feel their wounds. Unfortunately, ``The Savannah Option'' is 95 percent a head play, a psychological theory brought smartly but icily to life. What human sparks there are come late and aren't especially arresting. We're less invested in whether these two brilliant but lonely souls have a shared romantic destiny than whether they might lose each other as conversation partners. They should certainly keep talking. Preferably out of anybody else's earshot ear·shot n. The range within which sound can be heard by the unaided ear; hearing distance: listened until the parade was out of earshot. . Manuel Perry (Winters) is a poet. Emilia Balisteri is a biologist. Manny's wife - Emilia's best friend - is dying of cancer, meaning Manny Manny may refer to: In nobility:
n. The study of the psychological adaptations of humans to the changing physical and social environment, especially of changes in brain structure, cognitive mechanisms, and behavioral differences among individuals. . How much does nature - human or otherwise - dictate whether a man placed in Manny's position will behave or how Emilia will respond? The play is set at a Savannah, Ga., college. Choices (options) are key themes. There is also a character (unseen but crucial) named Savannah. There is not, alas, much reason to invest. ``The Savannah Option'' is intelligently written, but living term papers don't often carry much dramatic heft. Evan Henerson, (818) 713-3651 evan.henerson(at)dailynews.com THE SAVANNAH OPTION - Two stars Where: NewPlace Theatre, 4900 Vineland Ave., North Hollywood. When: 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday; through March 13. Tickets: $20 Fridays and Saturdays, $18 Thursdays and Sundays. Call (818) 506-8462. In a nutshell: Intellectually stimulating but not much of a love story. |
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