Date: Thu, 24 Sep 1998 15:08:31 -0700 (PDT)
From: JMKoppa <tirafix@yahoo.com>
Subject: Letter to the Editor?
Hello Mark-
I just read your review of Rumors, and I felt inspired to write you about my impressions of the show as well. I try to read as many reviews as I can, because I like comparing my impressions with "the pros."
I went to see the show during the second weekend. I had decent seats; about the 6th row close to the aisle. I agree with you that Christine Martin's direction was less than spectacular. I personally believe that you need to be Jewish or from New York (or both!) to direct a Neil Simon show. I think she missed lots of great Simon-esque subtlety (and other not-so-subtle points), and she grossly overdid some other items as well. I'm originally from southern Connecticut, so I know all about the "NY attitude." Sometimes it's hard to critique directors because you can never be quite sure if the actors are changing the director's interpretations... but I imagine all reviewers grapple with that.
As your last paragraph dictates, the cast must have got over their "opening weekend jitters," because the night I saw them, they were on fire. The pacing was excellent, they seemed so confident with their lines that it almost sounded like real banter; and I could hear everyone for the most part. That theater (if you can even call it that) is dreadful acoustically regardless of who is in it. I wish the higher-ups in Tempe would just build a real theater already.
I also wasn't very impressed with the set decoration; seemed a bit too blue for my taste. If Charlie and Myra are so wealthy, you'd think they could afford a decent decorator. The night I was there, Lenny (Steve Milo) knocked a picture off the wall because he was stomping around so hard on the stairs... he covered by saying something like "They just don't build a house like they used to." Pretty funny, but it makes you wonder why the pictures aren't held on a bit better.
Acting-wise, I thought, for a bit part, Officer Welch (Jeremy Moskowitz) did a great job. He was clear, perfectly overdone and had great expressions. He made a bit part more than a bit part, and that always impresses me. Kim Foster (Chris Gorman) and Amy London (Claire Ganz) had a wonderful rapport, and the more they drank, the chummier they became. I loved it.
I do have a few disagreements with your review, however. The first is about Ken (Kurt Johnson). I thought he was overacting, it didn't seem like he understood his lines and how they propelled the plot along. Maybe it was just the night that I saw the show, but it looked like he was really forcing things and missing the mark with his comic timing.
The second disagreement is your review of Cookie (Jill Knapp); Neil Simon wrote her as a caricature-- I don't think she should be expected to be believable. Think about it-- she's a TV cook with a chronic bask spasm. She calls her spouse "poopsie" and "sweetie-chicken" or whatever. If that isn't a caricature, what is?
Overall, I think the right people were cast for the show, and I think TLT has come a long way over the last 3 years; though I've been more a fan of their musicals than their comedies and dramas.
Thanks for reading. Feel free to send feedback, but its certainly not necessary.
Enjoy--
Julianne Koppa