The cast of ‘Mama’s Boy’ in a scene when Lee Harvey Oswald returns from Soviet Russia with his bride, Marina. Photo by T. Charles Erickson
It remains one of the mysteries of our time: Did Lee Harvey Oswald shoot President John Kennedy and if so, did he act alone? It is a topic of discussion, speculation, and documentaries. But how often does the discussion turn to the life this suspect led before the assassination? The play Mama’s Boy now playing at New Brunswick’s George Street Playhouse takes a look at this man from someone who knew him well: his mother, Marguerite Oswald. The drama that unfolds on stage gives an interesting picture of him but it still leaves questions unanswered about who Lee Harvey Oswald actually was in the whole scheme of events that took place both before the assassination and the actual terrible event.
Mama’s Boy was written by Rob Urbinati and the production is directed by George Street Playhouse Artistic Director David Saint. When writing Mama’s Boy, Mr. Urbinati drew on actual interviews and transcripts including the Warren Commission to produce his work. The play shows the Oswalds as a struggling American family and one where there are a lot of disjointed relationships particularly those which deal with the mother, Marguerite Oswald.
Betsy Aidem plays Marguerite Oswald. According to notes from Director David Saint, this play came to him from Ms. Aiden who plays Marguerite Oswald whom Saint describes as “a combination of Amanda from The Glass Menagerie and Medea.” Ms. Aidem presents Marguerite as a woman who has worked hard all her life but has very little to show for it. Having buried three husbands, she complains a lot about her constant lack of money, being fired from jobs, and the fact that her sons (Robert and Lee) do not include her at family holiday gatherings. Perhaps there was good reason not to include her as she is portrayed as being very dominant, bossy, and not fond of or accepting of ideas that are not hers. Ms. Aidem does a fine job of presenting her character with lots of faults exposed especially the character’s need to take over and be in control. She is loud and aggressive in her talk and actions. Her preference for her son Lee comes out as well and it hints at a near incestuous relationship with him.
The man in question, Lee Harvey Oswald, is played by Michael Goldsmith. He plays Oswald as a quiet and unhappy man which fits so much of what we actually know about him. His departure from being in the Marines to his defection to Soviet Russia and then his ability to come back into the United States are all mentioned in the play along with his interest in communism and socialism. At times he is an attentive son, husband, and father and other times he becomes a loner perhaps giving good reason for some to still wonder who he really was and what he was all about.
Laurel Casilio plays Marina Oswald, Lee’s wife from Soviet Russia. She is impressive as a person who is happy to be in the United States and away from all the lack of material goods that came with the Soviet Union. She loves her husband but for for the most part, she cannot get through to him. In a smaller but vital part is Miles G. Jackson who plays Lee’s brother Robert Oswald. He plays the character as a man who is concerned about his brother and wife, Marina. He wants to keep the family together but not at the expense of their sanity and thus keeps Mom Oswald excluded from their gatherings and his life in general.
Betsy Aidem plays Marguerite Oswald giving a speech about her son, Lee Harvey Oswald. Photo by T. Charles Erickson
The play shows the anger and jealousy Marguerite had towards Marina Oswald and even the widow of Police Officer J.D.Tippit when they received public sympathy and donations of money after their husbands’ deaths but she did not. Marguerite decided to embark on a campaign to show how her son was framed by going on a speaking tour. In a memorable scene form the play, she is at Town Hall in NYC giving a speech but that resentment comes in and ruins it all.
The suspense and the surprises in this play come from the roles the characters play in weaving a story that shows some reasons why Lee Harvey Oswald became so disillusioned with life. Was it enough to be a part of the Kennedy assassination? See the play and decide for yourself.
Those who are interested in the Kennedy assassination conspiracy theories or interested in the history of that time will surely want to see this play. It is a well-written, well-acted piece that theater goers will find interesting to see.
Run Time: 1 hour 39 minutes with a 15 minute intermission
Written by: Rob Urbinati
Directed by: David Saint
Production Team: Set Design: Michael Anaia, Costume Design: Michael McDonald, Lighting Design: Ken Billington, Projection Design: Michael Clark, Original Music/Sound Design: Scott Killian, Hair & Wig Design: Dave Bova and J. Jared Janas,Fight Direction: Rick Sordelet and Christian Kelly-Sordelet, Production Stage Manager: Thomas Clewell, Production Manager: Christopher Bailey, Dialect Coach: Deborah Hecht
Location:.George Street Playhouse is located at 9 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ
Performances: October 18 – November 6, 2016
Contact for Info and Tickets: The George Street Playhouse Box Office – 732-246-7717 or visit their website www.GSPonline.org for tickets and information
Additional Information: Audio Described Performance – November 3 and Open-Captioned Performance – November 5