|
|
|
Tweet this article !
A Beethoven sonata is being played by Kathleen (Cristina Carrion) on a houseboat moored somewhere on Lake Ontario, ready for a quick getaway to Canada from the tax men, a somewhat suspicious opening to this Off-Off Broadway production of Gangplank by Ward Morehouse III and Mark Druck. The story is full of intricate plot and sub-plot, as it tries to bring together a long lost love relationship between a Russian Countess (Angela Bernhard Thomas) and David Montgomery (Hamilton Meadows),an ex-war correspondent and now mostly inebriated Captain of this one time brothel houseboat, who is Kathleen’s father. They are all eventually joined by two gun-toting criminals with suitcases full of money, also seeking a quick getaway to Canada. Fingers (Aaron Frank) seems to be salivating with lust for Kathleen, who, as it turns out is desperate enough to go willingly in a consensual rape, but wants to die and be shot in the belly. Frank also doubles as Bill, the local cop who is in love with Kathleen. Lest we forget there’s the never-seen cook, Lee Hung Lo, and other characters. In addition, there is lots of talk about culture and how money can’t buy it.
The show is billed as a comedy-drama. However, the pace is very slow, requiring more brisk direction and attention to what should be laughs but instead are mere occasional chuckles. Better set-ups and delivery would be the cure. This could be similar to 39 Steps, if the zany, pure silliness and tongue-in-cheek were brought into better focus. There are many clever ideas brewing in Gangplank and with work and development, it might be lifted and the houseboat would float. The show continues thru May 7, at Chernuchin Theatre, 314 West 54th Street NYC.
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
Web services: launchpadny.com