STAGES; 'KISS' PUTS COMMITMENT UNDER THE MICROSCOPE.Byline: Julio Martinez Julio Martinez is the weekly host of KPFK Radio’s Arts in Review, is a theatre critic for Daily Variety and Features Editor of Latin Heat Magazine. His articles have appeared in Los Angeles Times Magazine, The Hollywood Reporter, Backstage West, L.A. Special to the Daily News Set in modern-day Manhattan, playwright Joe DiPietro's comedy ``The Kiss at City Hall'' chronicles the romantic misadventures of two catatonically immature almost-30 roommates, successful furniture-maker Tony (Brian Cousins) and handsome commercial actor Dave (Paul Provenza). Both are romantically involved with bright, beautiful women who want more than the boys are willing to give. After four years of mutually enjoyable hanky panky, advertising exec Julie (Robin Riker Robin Riker (born October 2, 1952 in New York City, New York) is an American actress who has guest starred in a number of notable television series including M*A*S*H, The A-Team, Airwolf, Murder, She Wrote, Sliders, ) has decided that Tony should marry her. On the other hand, Dave's newly developing relationship with schoolteacher Phoenix (Sybyl Walker) takes an unexpected turn when she becomes pregnant and demands a commitment from Dave. The impetus for this work comes from the 1950 black-and-white candid photo of legendary French artist/photographer Robert Doisneau Robert Doisneau (April 14 1912 - April 1 1994) was a French photographer noted for his frank and often humorous depictions of Parisian street life. Among his most recognizable work is Le baiser de l'hôtel de ville , who snapped a young couple spontaneously enveloped en·vel·op tr.v. en·vel·oped, en·vel·op·ing, en·vel·ops 1. To enclose or encase completely with or as if with a covering: "Accompanying the darkness, a stillness envelops the city" in a passionate kiss on a crowded Paris street across from city hall. Over the years that photo, ``The Kiss at City Hall,'' has become one of the most famous snaps of the 20th century. In 1993, the photo inspired DiPietro's five-character stage work when he read that a man and a woman had taken the aged Doisneau to court, claiming they were the couple in the photograph and that Doisneau had posed them. They were suing for residuals. Despite DiPietro's supposed profound inspiration, the resulting work is long on hip, contemporary interaction but woefully woe·ful also wo·ful adj. 1. Affected by or full of woe; mournful. 2. Causing or involving woe. 3. Deplorably bad or wretched: lacking in content and plot development. Director Joel Bishoff adroitly a·droit adj. 1. Dexterous; deft. 2. Skillful and adept under pressing conditions. See Synonyms at dexterous. [French, from à droit : à, to (from Latin guides his facile ensemble through, up and around Richard Hoover's gorgeous loft apartment setting while they spew a plethora of clever social and erotic witticisms that constantly sound more like mini-speeches than true conversations. By play's end, the decisions, justifications and rationalizations that bring one couple together and drive the other apart are totally arbitrary and unconvincing. One can only wonder why these two worthy females were attracted to the two jerks in the first place. The most successful portrayal is turned in by Riker, whose Julie also serves as a kind of in-character narrator NARRATOR. A pleader who draws narrs serviens narrator, a sergeant at law. Fleta, 1. 2, c. 37. Obsolete. . Riker's Julie exudes an attractive blend of social sophistication so·phis·ti·cate v. so·phis·ti·cat·ed, so·phis·ti·cat·ing, so·phis·ti·cates v.tr. 1. To cause to become less natural, especially to make less naive and more worldly. 2. and romantic naivete na·ive·té or na·ïve·té n. 1. The state or quality of being inexperienced or unsophisticated, especially in being artless, credulous, or uncritical. 2. An artless, credulous, or uncritical statement or act. as she draws a parallel between the Doisneau case and her relationship with Tony. Is it real? Is it a pose? Does it really matter? To her credit, Riker gives authenticity to an otherwise implausible resolution. Walker strives mightily to make sense out of an extremely difficult character. Phoenix is a woman in need who is never able to adequately get through to her lover, Dave. The playwright weighs Phoenix down with myriad life-changing but often arbitrary decisions and leaves it up to the actress to make sense of it all. For the most part, Walker rises to the occasion quite nicely. Cousins' Tony certainly projects the proper ambivalence of a happy bachelor who is suddenly asked to change the direction of his life, but the actor seldom appears comfortable with DiPietro's dialogue. The comedically adept Provenza doesn't bother with subtlety of interpretation or shades of Noun 1. shades of - something that reminds you of someone or something; "aren't there shades of 1948 here?" reminder - an experience that causes you to remember something meaning. His Dave simply charges through the play with a seldom-varying, high level of frenzy and angst. Magda Harout's sensitive portrayal of the non-English-speaking cleaning lady, Mrs. Valenti, provides one of the few affecting moments in the work when she communicates to Tony the true meaning of love and commitment. THE FACTS --What: ``The Kiss at City Hall.'' --Where: Pasadena Playhouse The Pasadena Playhouse is a historic theatre located in Pasadena, California. History The Playhouse's history began in 1917 when actor/director Gilmor Brown began producing a season of plays at an old burlesque house, which he renamed the Savoy. , 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena. --When: Through Feb. 20. Performances 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 5 and 9 p.m. Saturdays, 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays. --Tickets: $13.50 to $42.50. Call (800) 233-3123. --Our rating: Two stars CAPTION(S): photo, box Photo: Brian Cousins, left, Robin Riker, Paul Provenza and Sybyl Walker star in Joe DiPietro's ``The Kiss at City Hall.'' Box: THE FACTS (see text) |
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