Word: stone
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Dates: during 1970-1979
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...Stop the Rain? Ignore the sappy title; Paramount didn't have the guts to release it under "Dog Soldiers." But here it is, adapted by author Robert Stone from his award-winning novel--a horrifying movie that graphically portrays Stone's peculiar vision of America in the early '70s. Alexandr Solzhenyitsen aside, it is a curiously amoral world, careening along on its own hellish trip, where the good guys and the bad guys become indistinguishable. Where the last vision of sanity is of ubermensch Ray Hicks (stunningly portrayed by Nick Nolte) slamming a clip into his M-16 and proclaiming...
...Mary Demerest as an anachronistic Brooklyn servant, and Michael Cohen as the thief Ali Katz, all have moments, but something doesn't gel. Cohen, especially, shows raw talent, but lacks experienced directorial guidance to help him bring his Peter Lorre persona off. Dede Schmeiser also shows potential as Rosetta Stone, a character fashioned in the mold of Gracie Allen. Her Pillsbury doughgirl face--complete with apple cheeks and black current eyes--and boop-boop-eedoo voice beg for a part like this. But her performance is too forced; she mugs about the stage all but saying I'm being cute...
...tune let alone handle phrasing. Sonia Dula, as the ingenue Neferbinkist, is the most obvious example of this. Her performance as a sweet young thing depends on a pretty face and a lack of presence. Apparently, almost no one can dance either, to judge from the few steps Kay Stone choreographed. It's difficult to judge her abilities, although people could have at least been drilled to allieviate sloppy execution. One number, "Sahara Stomp" was good, using well-rehearsed, technically simple ensemble movements. The music to this, with its heavy beat, was also more successful, avoiding the blandness Schulman often...
...direction. Ellen Gambulos's Adele, the chambermaid who wants to be a star, showed a delicate voice and solid acting, except on occasions when she allows her pride in her steely top notes show. Brumit brings a rich, deep voice and commanding presence to Frank, the jailer; and Corey Stone '79 plays Falke, the "Dr. Fledermaus" bent on revenge, with flair, though his voice is comparatively bland...
...makes it. Andy Sellon's words and Andrew Schulman's music intermittently entertain, but the production borders on the amateurish rather than the amateur. This show harbors yet another tap number, yet another '50s song, and puns galore. Dr. Livingstone I. Presume and his nubile but crackers assistant, Rosetta Stone (Jon Isham and Dede Schmeiser), set out to solve the energy crisis, but land in ancient Thebes. The satire's often undirected, and Brigadoon did the end better. Still, audience response has been good, so if you want to watch the innocent heroine "make an ash of herself" (you guessed...