Word: gallos
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: all
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
WEDNESDAY EVENING the Loeb Mainstage offered a production the likes of which have not been seen in ten years--it is the first student-authored play on the Mainstage since 1967. Failing is the work of Guy Gallo '78, and while it is by no means an excellent play, it is a valiant effort. Regardless of the merits of the play itself, it is heartening to see a student production-any student production-on the Mainstage after such an unwarranted hiatus. Harvard theater is, after all, produced by and generally for students, so it seems illogical that student-written shows...
...Failing itself, well, it is hard to judge a first effort without being overly critical. Gallo's play bears the marks of a talented young playwright, yet at the same time it bears the scars that usually mar a first work, albeit in a somewhat unusual fashion. The production itself has some very strong points, but also some weak acting, an annoyingly static plot, and seemingly uninspired direction, all of which leave it somewhat lifeless...
Failing is an amibitious first effort, and it is precisely because it is so ambitious that it falls short of brilliance. Most young playwrights try to take on some vast, earth-shaking moral or social problem in their early efforts. Instead, Gallo tangles with a seemingly dead issue, that is, one man's struggle with personal demons-in his guilt, he believes he is partly responsible for the rise of Nazism. Although the twist in the plot is not revealed until the end of the play, it is rather easy to guess, which is not so much a flaw...
FAILING IS MARRED by several problems that could have been avoided. Gallo's script is too long, filled with repetitious dialogue, particularly in the old man's lines. The blocking is unimaginative, as is most of Thompson's direction. John Manulis as Ronay Gustav, the central character in the flashbacks, does nothing with his lines, reminding one of William Shatner. He is offset by David Moore, who turns in a creditable performance, save for an inexplicable tendency to yell when talking will clearly suffice. Other good points include the clever set, which makes use of some unusual and effective ramps...
...touching ballad "Try to Remember" came from this show--and a sappy script spoil this simple parable before it can get off the ground. But with over 7,000 Off-Broadway performances and still counting, who's gonna argue with success? Overall a decent production, although narrator-abductor E1 Gallo hasn't got the voice and rakish looks the part demands. November 3, 4, 5 at 8 p.m. in the Kirkland House Junior Common Room...