In Playwright Steven Dietz “Bloomsday”, currently in a
charming and reflective production at North Coast Repertory Theatre though Feb.
2nd, Robert (Martin Kildare), a handsome and rather distinguished
fifty something year old former professor tells the audience ‘that "Ulysses” is
the most under-read and over praised piece of doggerel ever hemorrhaged onto
the world! Don’t take my word for it. Ask
half the critics and every college sophomore on earth.’
Thank goodness I don’t recall reading it from top to bottom and
if I did, that memory is no longer available to me. And that’s not to be
confused with -of course I must have read it in my college days struggling
through Greek Mythology. Let’s face it folks, that was over fifty years ago and
today I’m happy remembering going to college.
Martin Kildare, Rachel Weck, Hunter Saling |
Playwright Dietz last entered the scene at North Coast Rep’s
with this theatre’s San Diego premiere of “This Random World” where it made an
impact on audiences when we learned our leading lady, Scottie was dead, yet we
can see her spirit living on in a series of short vignettes where she brings
each of the surviving characters in her life closer to one another.
“This Random World” might be Beshert, or serendipity.
“Bloomsday”, now in a regional premiere, might fit into the
world of ‘what was, what is, and what might have been’. Some might see it as a
time travel story. (I’m fascinated with that whole concept.) Some might look at
it as missed opportunities, others capricious and predictable. I’m satisfied
with charming, excellently acted, with direction by seasoned and keen director
Andrew Barnicle, intriguing, absorbing and left with a feeling that I could see
it again.
Bloomsday, June 16, is when Dubliner’s celebrate… a single
day in the life of three residents of Dublin:
a young writer named Stephen Dedalus; his friend Leopold Bloom and
Blooms wife, Molly… and includes Leopold’s walk through Dublin.” It has become
a tradition in Dublin and elsewhere to retrace protagonist Bloom’s pilgrimage
for those so inclined.
Back to Robert who, after twenty -five years of teaching
Ulysses and thirty five years after meeting Caithleen, has returned to Dublin
on Bloomsday. This time around he recalls a time when he was a mere pup, then known
as Robbie (Hunter Saling) and in his twenties and of one who knew nothing of
Ulysses or Joyce.
Rachel Weck, Jacquelyn Ritz and Martin Kildare |
Here and over the course of the play he remembers the
circumstances when he happened on a tour lead by a beautiful young colleen, Caithleen
(Rachel Weck). On that day, June 16, to be exact, superstitious Caithleen invited
him to join the tour, “James Joyce’s Dublin”, so there wouldn’t be thirteen in
the group. He made up the fourteenth. By now he was almost smitten as was she.
And here’s where we take off and head down the roads taken
and not, to another time when the older Robert meets up with his younger self
and Caithleen’s or Cait’s older self (Jacquelyn Ritz). What comes into play, in
bits and pieces, are unknown revelations about her future, that might have been
predictable had we seen it happen over the years, that proved to be right.
As narrator of his own story the focus on the four moves back
and forth in time. Robert becomes the know all, tell all master of all that he
remembers as having happened, what’s left behind and possibly what could have
been.
Dietz’s idea of giving truth (or not) to a story as old as
time where love is in bloom but goes unfulfilled and where love is found but
through unpredictable circumstances is lost and faded memories can only recall
what should have, could have, would have been, is enhanced by the first-rate
ensemble work of the four actors on stage.
Sun tanned and appealing Martin Kildare won me over from
the start. His relaxed, engaging and easy delivery and ability to know the
future but unable to change it, convinced.
As his younger self, Hunter Saling’s Robbie is the perfect
choice; one with indifference to what might be ahead, the happy go lucky come
what may attitude or ‘whatever’ brought a credibility to his character.
The two women Rachel Weck in perfect Irish accent, at least
to my ears, again the exact right choice (a newcomer to NCR) to the serious,
concerned about her future well being as Caithleen again won me over with her
easy and persuasive style.
Martin Kildare and Jacquelyn Ritz |
Jacquelyn Ritz, no stranger to NCR serves up some beautiful
and wistfulness and wish-fullness of the fate of her character.
What was present to yours truly was the overall feeling of
sadness and yearning at stories end, especially for Robert, by wanting another
ending yet knowing full well that life gets in the way even as we watch it
happen, of some otherwise happy endings.
Marty Burnett designed the brick buildings with ivy- covering
each wall. Benches and tables with chairs wheeled in serve as meeting places
and different locations, alleyways etc. They
are enhanced by Matt Novotny’s lighting and Aaron Rumley’s sound and
projections designs. Renetta Lloyd’s clothes are indicative of the moving time
frames.
Hunter Saling, Jacquelyn Ritx Martin Kildare and Rachel Weck |
And on another note in the Playbill: “Bloomsday” is an annual
pseudo-intellectual excuse to get hammered in the daytime”.
See you at the theatre.
Dates: Through Feb. 2nd
Organization: North Coast Repertory Theatre
Phone: 858-481-1055
Production Type: Fantasy/Comedy
Where: 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach, CA
Ticket Prices: Start at $46.00
Web: northcoastrep.com
Photo Credit: Aaron Rumley
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