.::SETTEMBRE 2008::.

L’IDEA MAGAZINE GOES WEST!

by Tiziano T. Dossena

For the reader who is starting to worry whether our offices are moving to California , be reassured that is not so. We did indeed go West, that is we were spectators of the most surprisingly original and creative play about the celebrated Broadway and cinema actress Mae West. It all happened on July 22… Three Directors, four staff writers and some family members gathered for this imperative event that marked the official presentation of the play to the large public. Our very own LindaAnn Loschiavo, who was so essential in our 25^th year’s celebration, and who has been a columnist for our magazine for over ten years, is the author of this vibrant show, which received an enthusiastic response from the public as well as from the critics. She was in the audience herself, absorbing every word, every nuance of the performance, rejoicing at the wonderful rendition the actors of A Company Of Players were offering to the fascinated spectators. It must be a breathtaking experience, to view your writing come to life and oh so realistically that everyone believed by the end of the play that Mae West was really in their presence. The perfect chemistry that formed between the actors diffused to the public, which was thrilled by the experience. Yvonne Sayers was a perfect Mae West: she’s such a natural, that no acting seemed to be required. Jason Emanuel, as Mario “Shortie” De Angelis, was able to create the necessary comic relief with his Italian language interjections and at the same time he assisted in giving Mae the appropriate emotional latitude by supporting the character with the altruistic presence of this gallant friend and lover. Sarah Kanter Emanuel was the ideal choice for the part of Beverly West, portraying her competently as the emotionally and physically handicapped sister of the famous entertainer. The other pleasant revelation was Jessalyn Maguire, who was able to carve a faultless living reproduction of the unfortunate socialite Sara Starr. Eliza Rourke and Declan Rourke, played respectively by Mary Murphy and Steven Viola, were stunningly sparkling and gave the whole ensemble the necessary final touches to recreate the life and times of Mae West in a realistic manner.

The other actors, Eric Eastman, Neal Sims, Gloria Buccino and Eileen Glenn were more than adequate, enabling the characters to be rendered as dynamic and living persons and not as theatrical creations. A special mention goes to the excellent direction accomplished by Louis Lopardi, which allowed the play to show its true value. This optimal presentation allowed “Courting Mae West: Sex, Censorship, & Secrets” to have a suitable official introduction to the public, one that is more than deserved. The story is faultless in the aim of developing the characters as well as in presenting the strange predicaments Mae West found herself in when she attempted to talk about sex in her shows in the Prohibition Era. Mae West is portrayed as a driven defender of free speech, a liberal-minded show business woman who believed that sex and its peculiarities belong to the entertainment world and that criticisms wee not going to dissuade her from these beliefs. In building up the case for Mae West, the playwright Loschiavo creates interesting characters, some completely fictitious, who in their interactions are able to liven up the story and keep it from becoming a tedious interpretation of historical facts. A good balance of comedy and drama, combined with an educational effect obtained by the continuous release of historical fragments, newly discovered and researched by the dramatist herself, makes this play a “must see” for everyone who loves to come into contact with pure, unadulterated “Good Theater”. Our theatrical experience was rewarded by the powerful performances and by the flawless script. That the author was a friend and a colleague was even more of a pleasant piece of information.  Our expectations are now raised and we are certain that this play will continue in an extended run on Broadway, because it unquestionably has all the requirements for success.