Word: facials
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...make or break the production. In School for Wives, the role of Arnolphe is tremendously difficult. On stage throughout most of the show, Arnolphe must almost always convey comic consternation as Horace continually foils his lovely plans. The success of several scenes depends almost solely on Arnolphe's facial expressions upon hearing Horace's descriptions of the ups and downs of his attepts to woo Agnes. Toope has the energy to play Arnolphe, but little of the control and pacing. He succumbs to the temptation--so strong in Moliere's plays--to overact. He rants too much, usually beginning...
...whenever acutely upset I begin to laugh hysterically; so I suppose I conformed very nicely to her sterotypical fancies about blacks. She talked on and on, every now and then mentioning blacks while casting a significant look in my direction. Her Dear Friend was no better, periodically contorting her facial muscles in expressions suggestive of profound empathy. I marveled at the speed with which, after speaking at such length in her flatulent way about the arrogated rights of the individual, she could forget her own preachings and attempt to make me into a stereotype...
Levin is unconvincing as a middle-aged professor, although he does improve when he berates the magician. Often rushing through lines in a whining tone, Levin fails to employ vocal variety and facial expressions to add humor to his part. Neither does he work to age his voice and stage actions...
Segal, however, is the highlight of the show. Her presence brightens the stage, and her admirable performance, bolstered by a well-sustained accent, effective comic timing and creative vocal and facial variations, adds humor to lines that are not always funny...
...Jerry Orbach is completely and consistently excellent, especially in his physical gestures. At one point, he strokes his dead wife's picture as tenderly as if he were touching the woman herself--then jerks his hand away to hide the private gesture from his brother. Whether indulging in outrageous facial clowning, or making his voice crack with pain, Orbach's performance is perfectly controlled...