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A CurtainUp Los Angeles Review
Tooth and Nail
| I don't want to shock the children or excite the homosexuals but I have the most extraordinary erection.— Gerald Laney as Peter O'Toole as Henry II
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Gerald Laney (Gregory Mortensen), a morose middle-aged man, is dying of cancer. After attending their favorite movie, A Lion in Winter, he falls, bumps his head and wakes up being the man he always wanted to be: King Henry II as interpreted by Peter O'Toole in the movie made from Goldman's play.
Although Mortensen has the marvelous plummy voice that reeks of Shakespearean actor, the playwright and director Lindsay Allbaugh are wise enough not to attempt a take-off on O'Toole. Gerald is very much himself liberated, his inner self imperiously speaking his mind for the first time in his life.
Dithery Ellie's one moment of truth comes when Gerald refuses to take the medication that dulls his senses and she protests violently that his sickness is her loss, too. The daughters are Robin (Jennifer Etienne Eckert), whose pregnancy buoys the family up until a bitter plot twist; Dylan (Tara Norris), a recovering alcoholic who is furious with her father and childlike Rose (Kerry Carney), who turns out to be the Richard-the-Lion-Heart character. Their new neighbors, gay partners Michael (Tony Foster) and Julian (Tom Stanczyk), add flavor and more conflicts. "Don't call yourself an alcoholic! Alcoholism is a title to be earned! " Gerald roars at Dylan, another line that suggests a story that we'd like to hear more of.
Director Lindsay Albaugh keeps the first act frothy and listens to her characters in the second act where, rather schematically, everyone addresses his/her problem. The cast is good and particularly lucky in having Mortensen for their Henry II. Stanczyk is very funny as Julian without overcamping. This is a lovely example of the effects movies have on people's lives and the creative recycling, without imitation, of glorious source material.
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TOOTH AND NAIL Playwright: Gina Acosta Director: Lindsay Allbaugh Cast: Lynn Odell (Ellie Laney), Gregory Mortensen (Gerald Laney), Tony Foster (Michael Jones), Jennifer Etienne Eckert (Robin Laney), Josh Breeding (Ted Hamster), Tara Norris (Dylan Laney), Kerry Carney (Rose Laney), Tom Stanczyk (Julian Dudely), Robert John Brewer (Soul Cat). Set Design: Joel Daavid Lighting Design: Nick McCord Costume Design: Kimberly Overton Sound Design: Matt Richter and Christopher Game Running Time: Two hours, one intermission Running Dates: May 15-June 14, 2008 Where: Lillian Theatre, 1078 N. Lillian Way, Hollywood, Reservations: (323) 9600-4410 Reviewed by Laura Hitchcock on May 18, 2008. |
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Leonard Maltin's 2008 Movie Guide
Sweeney Todd DVD
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