{"id":106482,"date":"2023-03-27T13:37:00","date_gmt":"2023-03-27T20:37:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forallevents.com\/reviews\/?p=106482"},"modified":"2023-03-27T13:37:00","modified_gmt":"2023-03-27T20:37:00","slug":"harry-townsends-last-stand-at-meadow-brook-theatre-rochester-hills-mi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forallevents.com\/reviews\/harry-townsends-last-stand-at-meadow-brook-theatre-rochester-hills-mi\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cHarry Townsend\u2019s Last Stand\u201d at Meadow Brook Theatre, Rochester Hills MI"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

 <\/p>\n

Reviewed by Suzanne Angeo (member, American Theatre Critics Association; Member Emeritus, San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle), and Greg Angeo (Member Emeritus, San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle)<\/em><\/p>\n

Photos courtesy of Sean Carter Photography<\/em><\/p>\n

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Craig Bentley, Mark Rademacher<\/p><\/div>\n

Hilarious and Poignant \u201cHarry\u201d<\/strong><\/h2>\n

In its Michigan Premiere at Meadow Brook Theatre, \u201cHarry Townsend\u2019s Last Stand\u201d manages to be powerful, and funny, and bittersweet, all at the same time. It touches on a subject that is relevant to everyone, but that everyone wants to avoid talking about \u2013 what happens when we grow old. People are living longer than ever before, as families face the challenges of aging. This new play could be one of the most important works to come along in recent years.<\/p>\n

It began life as a prize-winning short story by George Eastman<\/strong>, a retired Massachusetts teacher turned playwright, based on his own family. It changed titles a couple of times, gained admirers in Hollywood and New York, and built momentum in a staged reading off-Broadway. It then opened at the New York City Center\u2019s Stage II to a sold-out performance in early December 2019. It was so popular with audiences and critics that its run was extended to April 2020.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s easy to see why. The story is so well written and unfolds in such a charming way, you can\u2019t help but be drawn in. Pathos and sorrow are generously leavened with gentle humor and raunchy wisecracks. There is something so familiar about these people, these situations; the conversations are natural-sounding, the characters are irresistible, and real.<\/p>\n

The trouble with Harry, an 84 year-old widower, is that he\u2019s in stubborn denial about his declining health and growing dependence on his two middle-aged children. He\u2019s a dynamo: a former local radio personality who helped build the lakeside community in Vermont where he has lived for many decades, in the lovely house he shared with his late wife. Harry falls a lot but refuses to use a walker. He has major health issues but won\u2019t see a doctor. He does reckless things and scares his family. He has treasured lifelong memories, but can\u2019t remember what was said five minutes ago. He has an endless supply of racy jokes and outrageous comments.<\/p>\n

His son, Alan, a successful real estate agent in Southern California, is in Vermont visiting Harry for the weekend. Soon long-simmering tensions between the two boil to the surface. His twin sister (away with her new husband in New York) had been staying with Harry as his caregiver, but it\u2019s getting to be too much for her, and a big change is in the wind. Harry has a decision to make, but doesn\u2019t want to make it.<\/p>\n

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Craig Bentley, Mark Rademacher<\/p><\/div>\n

The two male cast members are effective counterpoints – contrasting personalities in the father\/son dynamic that are interesting to watch.\u00a0 MBT, TV and film veteran Mark Rademacher<\/strong> is simply wonderful as the spirited, gregarious Harry, grappling with the defiant desire for independence and the fear of the unknown. And another MBT and NYC veteran Craig Bentley<\/strong>, as strait-laced, intensely subdued Alan, captures a son\u2019s frustration mixed with love.\u00a0 Both have great comic timing, a rare talent and really essential to this show.<\/p>\n

The set by Brian K Kessler<\/strong> is picture-perfect, representing a lovingly handcrafted home. The dramatic lighting by Brian Debs<\/strong> is a vital part of the story.<\/p>\n

Director Travis Walter<\/strong> has done it again \u2013 his strong instincts for storytelling, pacing and natural dialogue drive the events. The show\u2019s nearly two hours fly by, and you leave wanting to know more about this family, and how similar they may be to your own.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Now through April 16, 2023 <\/strong><\/p>\n

Tickets $37 to $46<\/strong><\/p>\n

Meadow Brook Theatre at Wilson Hall<\/strong><\/p>\n

Oakland University<\/strong><\/p>\n

378 Meadow Brook Rd<\/strong><\/p>\n

Rochester Hills, MI 48309<\/strong><\/p>\n

(248) 377-3300<\/strong><\/p>\n

www.mbtheatre.com<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

A special note: As Covid-19 is a constantly changing situation, MBT will be monitoring and adhering to the guidance given by the CDC, the State of Michigan, the Actor\u2019s Equity Association, and Oakland University. Check the Meadow Brook Theatre website at www.mbtheatre.com for the latest information on efforts to keep everyone safe.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

This theater operates under an agreement between the League of Resident Theatres and Actors\u2019 Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers of the United States. The theater operates under the agreement with the International Alliance of Theatre Stage employees, Local 38.<\/em><\/p>\n

Meadow Brook Theatre’s season is supported in part by the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Kresge Foundation, the Fred and Barbara Erb Family Foundation, the Shubert Foundation and the Meadow Brook Theatre Guild.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  Reviewed by Suzanne Angeo (member, American Theatre Critics Association; Member Emeritus, San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle), and Greg Angeo (Member Emeritus, San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"yasr_overall_rating":5,"yasr_post_is_review":"","yasr_auto_insert_disabled":"","yasr_review_type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-106482","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-greg-suzanne-angeo"},"yasr_visitor_votes":{"stars_attributes":{"read_only":true,"span_bottom":"