The cast of ‘Heartbreak House’ Photo Credit Carol Rogg
Review – Heartbreak House
Treat yourself to a unique theatrical experience and go see Heartbreak House now playing at Theatre Row. It is like two plays in one because it acts out an actual show under the name of Heartbreak House, but it performs as if its patrons are in an air raid shelter during a bombing raid in London of 1940. This performance allows modern day audiences to experience the way entertainers of that time did what they could to help people get through those raids.
George Bernard Shaw wrote Heartbreak House and this production is presented by Gingold Theatrical Group.
Background
Shaw began writing Heartbreak House prior to the outbreak of World War I. According to notes from Gingold Theatrical Group, Shaw “withheld it until after the war due to the general outrage at him for making speeches and writing articles to attempt to discourage the conflict.” Heartbreak House had its US premiere performed by New York’s famed Theatre Guild in 1920 in a version rewritten by Shaw. This production by Gingold Theatrical Group takes Shaw’s hand-written version along with some later typed manuscripts, letters with directives, and various production scripts Shaw worked on and approved. Seeing art as activism, Shaw had hoped this play would serve as a warning about an oncoming war; but it was too late.
The Setting
Entrance for ‘Heartbreak House’ – photo credit K. Nowosad
Audiences will see how this production is inspired by actual events during World War II from the set and certain actions during the play.
At the entrance to the theater is a sign designating it as an Air Raid Shelter along with sandbags stacked on the side. A small handout for the show is given to each person that has advertisements from that time period as well as the lyrics to songs. A full Playbill is distributed as you leave after the show.
Once inside the Lion Theatre, the faint sounds of an air raid alert play on the speakers. There are Union Jack banners hanging around the seating area. Looking at the stage, a simple house with two floors displays. Swing music from the era plays as the audience prepares for the start of the show. The authenticity of this setting allows audiences to feel like they are in London’s Ambassador Theater in 1940 when they are urged to go down to the basement for shelter. This corresponds to what actually happened during bombing raids. As nerves frayed, the cast would do what they could to entertain and hopefully calm them. So this takes place before the actual Heartbreak Hotel play begins but it is also part of the overall production. The cast members ask everyone to sing a few songs with them thus honoring the memory of that tradition as well.
Story and Cast
With direction by David Staller, the play itself is funny with with a cast who does a superb job with their characters. It centers on one day when members of a family gather at their childhood home and make decisions about what to do next with their lives. It opens with Ellie Dunn, delightfully played by Kimberly Immanuel, entering the house only to find the man she loves lives there. That man, Hector Hushabye, played with a great gusto for life and women by Tom Hewitt, is also in love with several other women none of whom are his wife. His wife named Hesione is played by Karen Ziemba. She plays this role as the steady, knows what to do woman of the house. When her sister, Lady Ariadne Utterwood arrives after many years absence, the contrast is startling. Alison Fraser plays the part of Lady Utterwood with tremendous emphasis on sarcastic comebacks which makes her character very funny to watch.
Technically, the head of the house is Captain Shotover played with a mature and open nature by Raphael Nash Thompson. Technically head of the house but not really because he resides on the upper level of the home as he meditates and seeks the Seventh Degree of Concentration. Hesione truly runs the house and many lives as well. She attracts men easily as Boss Mangan finds out. The Boss, played as a stern yet somewhat well meaning businessman by Derek Smith, is supposed to marry Ellie despite the fact that he does not love her. Ellie’s father, Mazzini Dunn, is played sweetly by Lenny Wolpe. Mazzini seems like the most out of touch character at first. But he reveals things he knew about himself and Mazzini that help daughter Ellie eventually find the love that she needs in her life. Jeff Hiller takes on the multi-faceted roles of Guinness/Randall Utterwood/Burglar with good, strong facial expressions and humorous actions.
The play is a commentary on traditions and morals of the day as told by George Bernard Shaw. The concept of living one’s life with only one spouse is brought into question. The roles of men and women are questioned. A man admits that a woman can hypnotize him. Thoughts such as “No husband is in their first youth for long” are expressed. The second act is a little long; some of the expression of thoughts on life are over done. There is a lot to say and time starts to run out.
The play ends with a return to the fact that this audience is in the basement of the Ambassadors Theatre while an air raid warning sounds. It is a funny show but prepare for an unexpected and dramatic ending of what living in London in 1940 was like when the Bltze wrecked havoc on people trying to live their lives.
Additional Information about Heartbreak House
Running Time: 2 hr. 30 with one intermission
Location: The Lion Theatre at Theater Row, 410 West 42nd Street between 9th and Dyer Avenues.
Performances: Tuesday through Thursday evenings at 7:30pm, Friday & Saturday evenings at 8pm, and matinees Saturday 2pm & Sunday at 3pm, with one special 2pm matinee Wednesday September 26th. Show is scheduled to run through Sept. 29, 2018.
Contact for Info and Tickets: Tickets Purchase online at Telecharge.com, by phone at 212-239-6200 or in person at the Theatre Row Box Office.
Additional Information: For more information about Heartbreak House or any of the programs at Gingold Theatrical Group, call 212/355-7823, email info@gingoldgroup.org, or visit www.gingoldgroup.org online.