{"id":107919,"date":"2024-10-15T05:36:45","date_gmt":"2024-10-15T12:36:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forallevents.com\/reviews\/?p=107919"},"modified":"2024-10-15T05:43:26","modified_gmt":"2024-10-15T12:43:26","slug":"strangers-on-a-train-presented-by-meadow-brook-theatre-rochester-hills-mi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forallevents.com\/reviews\/strangers-on-a-train-presented-by-meadow-brook-theatre-rochester-hills-mi\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cStrangers on a Train\u201d, presented by Meadow Brook Theatre, Rochester Hills MI"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

 <\/p>\n

Reviewed by Suzanne Angeo (Member, American Theatre Critics Association)<\/em><\/p>\n

and Greg Angeo (Member Emeritus, San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle)<\/em><\/p>\n

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Ron Williams, Stephen Blackwell<\/p><\/div>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

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

Forget About Hitchcock<\/strong><\/h2>\n

To launch their 58th<\/sup> season (and to get everyone in the mood for Halloween), Meadow Brook Theatre has chosen the murderous suspense classic \u201cStrangers on a Train\u201d. Adapted in 2004 for BBC radio and then in 2013 for the stage by British playwright Craig Warner, the story hews pretty close to its source material: the 1950 novel of the same name by Patricia Highsmith (who went on to write \u201cThe Talented Mr Ripley\u201d in 1955). Warner\u2019s adaptation premiered in London\u2019s West End to critical and public acclaim. Surprisingly, the well-known 1951 film by Alfred Hitchcock bears almost no resemblance to the novel. Mr Hitchcock reportedly told the scriptwriters to \u201cforget about the book\u201d, and they went on to rewrite almost the entire story. So you should forget about the movie – and prepare for a long, strange trip.<\/p>\n

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Chip DuFord, Julia Glander<\/p><\/div>\n

The basic premise is familiar: two men meet by chance on a train; Guy Haines, a moody but promising young architect, and Charlie Bruno, a maniacal mama\u2019s boy with too much time and money on his hands. A philosophical discussion about Plato turns dark, and one of them proposes they \u201cswap murders\u201d – one man\u2019s unfaithful wife, the other man\u2019s stingy father. \u00a0At this point, expect the unexpected; the story begins to take many emotional twists and turns, as well as geographical ones, ranging from the American southwest to Florida to the east coast and back again. Throw in a suspicious detective, and you have the makings of a juicy thriller. Guy\u2019s growing nightmare and Charlie\u2019s growing menace increase exponentially, ending in a heartbreaking climax.<\/p>\n

MBT veteran Ron Williams<\/strong> (\u201cKen Ludwig\u2019s Moriarty\u201d) plays Guy with sullen restraint, waffling between temptation and his longing for a secure, happy life. Fellow MBT regular Stephen Blackwell<\/strong> (\u201cMoriarty\u201d, \u201cClue: Onstage\u201d) really takes the bull by the horns in this flamboyant portrayal of the crazed drunken hedonist Charlie. Much scenery is chewed, and all the better for it.<\/p>\n

Not to be outdone, Julia Glander<\/strong> (\u201cCalendar Girls\u201d) as Charlie\u2019s mother steals every scene she\u2019s in. Her performance as the scheming, aging glamour queen Elsie highlights the possible reasons her son is such a mess. Another dependable MBT regular is Chip DuFord<\/strong> (\u201cFather of the Bride\u201d) as private investigator Arthur Gerard, family retainer and friend of Charlie\u2019s father. He has a deceptively folksy, homespun air that leads people to underestimate him \u2013 at their peril.<\/p>\n

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Ron Williams, Ashley Wickett<\/p><\/div>\n

Ashley Wickett\u2019s<\/strong> portrayal of Guy\u2019s fianc\u00e9 Ann is rather loud and giggly at first, then evolves into melodramatic love and concern for her new husband. Tobin Hissong<\/strong> as Guy\u2019s amiable partner and David Moan<\/strong> as his longtime friend round out the talented cast.<\/p>\n

The complex set by Brian Kessler<\/strong> and lighting by Brian Debs<\/strong> reflect the numerous locations, often simultaneously: a massive staircase, various hotel rooms, a luxurious home, an office. One eerie scene involving a mirror is one of the best moments in the show.<\/p>\n

This may be one of the most intricate and tightly paced shows by director Travis Walter<\/strong>. Although there are a few places where monologues can run a bit long, he skillfully manages to connect the slow, agonizing build of dramatic tension, multiple locales and characters – all moving parts – with very stylish \u201cfilm noir\u201d results. It would be interesting to see a version of this production with all black and white sets, makeup and costumes, and appropriate lighting to make us think we were really seeing a \u201cfilm noir\u201d. Maybe for another time\u2026?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When: Now through November 3, 2024<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>Tickets $39 to $48\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n

Where: 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

 <\/p>\n

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 for the latest information on efforts to keep everyone safe.<\/em><\/p>\n

This production is made possible through the generous support of the Michigan Arts and Cultural Council, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Fred and Barbara Erb Family Foundation, the Shubert Foundation and the Meadow Brook Theatre Guild.<\/em><\/p>\n

Meadow Brook Theatre is a professional theatre located on the campus of Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan. MBT is a nonprofit cultural institution serving southeast Michigan for more than 58 years.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  Reviewed by Suzanne Angeo (Member, American Theatre Critics Association) and Greg Angeo (Member Emeritus, San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle) \u00a0 Photos courtesy of Sean Carter Photography Forget…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"yasr_overall_rating":4.5,"yasr_post_is_review":"","yasr_auto_insert_disabled":"","yasr_review_type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-107919","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":"