(l-r) Norman A. Hall as Howard Leibowitz and Tim Setzer as Vincent Alcedo give star performances in THE BOOK OF MATTHEW (Leibowitz), at Spreckles Theatre in Rohnert Park. Photo by Eric Chazankin
THE BOOK OF MATTHEW (Leibowitz), A Comedy about the seriousness of life: by Gene Abravaya. At the Bette Condiotti Theatre, Spreckels Performing Arts Center, 5409 Snyder Lane, Rohnert Park, CA. 707-588-3400 or www.spreckelsonline.com. Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m., Sundays Matinees at 2:00 PM. March 21 – April 13, 2014.
THE BOOK OF MATTHEW (Leibowitz) a standing ovation winner at Spreckles Theatre Company
[rating:4] (5/5 stars)Spreckles Theatre Company is fortunate to have auteur (actor, director, playwright) Gene Abravaya as their artistic/managing director. His enthusiasm and theatrical knowledge has brought quality productions to the North Bay making Rohnert Park a ‘destination’ locale.
For their latest endeavor he has reached into his personal repertoire restaging his first full length play The Book of Matthew that had its world premiere in the Bette Condiotti Theatre in 2009 (http://www.forallevents.info/kedaradour/2009/03/world-premiere-book-of-matthew-by-gene.html ). He has rewritten the play with multiple changes and elected to direct it himself.
The first change is the adding of (Leibowitz) to the title that could be construed as a disclaimer for association with the “Gospel of Matthew” the first book of the New Testament. But there is the suggestion that Abravaya’s Matthew Leibowitz has similar traits to the Messiah who was rejected by Isreal but continued his teaching through his disciples. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gospel_of_Matthew)
Other changes include updating time references, musical selections, and making the characters typical New Yorkers. The directorial conceits, that are expertly projected by the superb cast, emphasize Jewish heritage without sacrificing universality.
Matthew Leibowitz (Jeff Cote) is a 38 year-old writer with a stack of unpublished novels and rejection slips living in a cheap, unkempt 4th floor flat (great set by Eddy Hansen) on the “upper, upper Westside of Manhattan” (Think the mean streets of Harlem). He supports himself in two jobs as a waiter and pizza delivery man. His desire is to be a writer in the mold of Thomas Wolfe and has given up a lucrative position writing scripts for a TV soap opera in which his wife Maggie (LC Arisman) plays a pivotal character. They have split due to unwise one night sexual episode by Maggie with a hunky member of the cast.
Matthew’s closest friend is Vincent Alcedo (giving a Tony Award type performance by Tim Setzer) a flamboyant Hispanic gay actor who lives in the upper flat. His entrance and exits are through a fire escape window and he is privy to all that goes on in Matthew’s flat as the conversations drift, nay are probably amplified, through the shaft of an unused fireplace.
Matthew’s older brother Robert (exceptional Jeffery Weissman) a successful CPA with talkative wife Karen ( ebullient Madeleine Ashe) are planning a two week vacation and deliver the father Howard ( absolutely perfect Norman A. Hall) into Matthew’s care. He has become semi-catatonic after the death of his wife two years ago.
With the characters all in place Abravaya weaves an intricate plot structure with cogent dialog that his actors deliver with verisimilitude and understanding although there are stretches of exposition needed to back fill characterization. One such scene will give you a catch in the throat when Vincent spills his life story to Howard that leads to charming scene as Howard breaks his silence and a bond of friendship is created. The humor that abounds is spontaneous and never hurtful. Madeleine Ashe has a pitch perfect accent displaying Karen’s vociferous nature that makes Howard’s sly comment that there is no need for him to speak while living in her home brings spontaneous applause.
The play runs for 2 hours and 35 minutes including the 15 minute intermission and seems to lose audience attention with the re-introduction of Maggie into Matthew’s life. The excellent direction by Abravaya and the fine perforance by Jeff Cote in the lead role give added depth to this well written and produced play.
CAST: Matthew Leibowitz, Jeff Cote; Maggie Fitzgerald Leibowitz, LC Arisman; Vincent Alcedo, Tim Setzer; Howard Leibowitz, Norman A. Hall; Robert Leibowitz, Jeffrey Weissman / Understudy: Benjamin Privitt; Karen Leibowitz, Madeleine McGuire Ashe.
Production: Director Gene Abravaya
Set Designer: Eddy Hansen
Costume Designer: Pamela Enz
Lighting Designer: Eddy Hansen
Sound Designer: Daniel Mitchell
Stage Manager: Lyndsey Transue
Set Dresser, Prop Master, Scenic Artist : Elizabeth Bazzano
Publicist: Kim Taylor
Photographer: Eric Chazankin
Stage Crew: Jessica Johnson
Lighting Operator: Lyndsey Transue
Build Crew: Eddy Hansen
Kedar K. Adour, MD
Courtesy of www.theatreworldinternetmagazine.com.
