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| From left: Sophie (Virginia Bell), Barbara (Mary Spence), David (James Brady) and Maurice (Michael Robbins). (Photo courtesy of Magic Circle Theatre) |
By K.K. ROBINSON
“You
can pick your friends but not your relatives,” goes the old saying.
Andrew
Bergman’s "Social Security," at the Magic Circle Theatre
in Carmel Valley, explores the tension between Barbara and David Kahn
and Barbara’s sister and brother-in-law, Trudy and Martin Heyman.
The two couples have little in common. Their tastes, values and
lifestyles are at opposite ends of the spectrum. But they’re all
part of the same family.
The
Kahns own an art gallery in New York City, and the setting is their
Upper East Side apartment, furnished with eclectic furniture,
sculptures and paintings from the gallery. Martin is a CPA, while
Trudy spends her days caring for her (and Barbara’s) mother,
Sophie. The Heymans have ventured into Manhattan from their
home on Long Island to discuss “a situation” involving their
daughter in Buffalo. Their solution will drastically change the lives
of everyone in the family.
The
set-up feels a bit contrived and the characters somewhat
stereotypical, with the family's simmering resentments coming to a
full, fast boil in a short first act. The actors, however, are very
much in control, and as they gain traction, the comic dimension rises
and expands.
Mary
Spence is marvelous as the tightly wound Barbara, happy in her
sophisticated life and trading barbs with her husband about flirting
with female gallery customers. James Brady has just enough swagger to
carry off the jaunty man-about-town David envisions himself to be.
Joe Donofrio steadily projects the careful, conservative accountant
Martin, and Sherry Kefalas just about steals the show with her
unappreciated, Ugly Duckling, histrionics-loving Trudy.
We
are finally introduced to the mother, Sophie (Virginia Bell), in
the second act, and it is worth the wait. She completely inhabits the
metamorphosis of her character as she is seduced by world famous
artist Maurice. It is good to see Michael Robbins return to the stage
in the role, exerting his legendary charm on everyone. The audience
completely lost it watching a particular sequence involving Maurice,
Sophie and a couch.
Director
Suzanne Sturn, an actor and retired college theater professor, has
gone beyond the surface humor to explore the psychological games
family members play with each other. Each one knows where the “hot
buttons” are and how to push them. The play is especially
appropriate for the holiday season, as we all prepare for our own
family gatherings.
Dani
Maupin, exhibiting an excellent use of the small stage space, ably
handled the set design and construction. Joanna Hobbes’ lighting
design captured the appropriate moods, and the light board operator,
Hannnah Schmidt, executed all of stage manager Megan Root’s cues in
a timely manner. Producer Elsa Con has put together her usual
excellent technical crew.
Get
your tickets soon because you won’t want to miss this show. The
performance reviewed was sold out.
If you go:
What: Social
Security
Where: Magic
Circle Theatre, 8 El Caminito, Carmel Valley Village
When: 7:30
p.m. Fridays/Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 15.
Tickets: $25
(seniors/students $22 Sundays only); 659-7500, www.magiccircletheatre.net
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