Majestic Theater
in West Springfield, Massachusetts
www.majestictheater.com

STONES IN HIS POCKETS

by Maria Jones

July 8 - 31, 2010  

Wednesday 7:00 PM; Thursday 7:30 PM; Friday & Saturday 8:00 PM

Reviewed by B. K. Grant 

When I entered the theater, I was aware of intermittent chuckling over the discovery of 18 pairs of foot ware – sneakers, pumps, work boots, dress shoes – neatly spaced on the edge of the nearly barren stage. One could only assume there were many characters in this summer production by Danny Eaton (producing director) and Zoya Kachadurian (director); in fact, there are 15 different characters in this play by Belfast-born Maria Jones, all portrayed by only two actors. David Friedlander as Jake and Buzz Roddy as Charlie deliver amazing performances, not only of their own roles, but o13 other very different personas, to be sure, a fait accompli.

A Hollywood film company complete with director, producer, assistant Ashley and demanding diva star Caroline Giovanni, have come to a little town in County Kerry; many extras are needed and, along with most of the townsfolk (aka 18 pairs of shoes), Jake and Charlie become involved. Their Irish brogue is lilting and comical, and dominates most of the dialog – except when, with a wave of a hand or a tightly executed twirl, Charlie morphs into the director, or the producer (no trace of an accent at all) or ‘Caroline’, tossing ‘her’ hair and absentmindedly playing with an imaginary earring. The voice and mannerisms allow us to ‘see’ her as the temperamental diva she is.

Friedlander’s portrayal of ‘Ashley’ is incredible, right down to the nervous hair smoothing and the hip swiveling; she is important to the running of the production, an attitude well projected. ‘Wee Mickey Riordan’ earns Friedlander kudos as the old, last surviving extra of the John Wayne epic ‘The Quiet Man’. The crotchety Irishman brags to all who will listen of this past connection as if it were just yesterday.

Friedlander’s ‘Sean’ is a hopped-up adolescent running with the wrong crowd and constantly looking to score. During a solemn ‘movie scene’ with the extras, Jake and Charlie can hardly contain themselves over the absurdity of it all and giggle and smirk through take after take. At the end of the day’s shooting they are told of young Sean’s drowning with stones in his pockets. Through the talents of Amber Tanudjaja (lighting) and Peter Mabut (sound) we are taken back to a happier, more innocent time and Sean’s animated reading to the grammar school class of his essay on Cows. The teacher (Roddy) reacts to and admonishes the ‘class’ for its disruptive snickering, bringing much laughter from the audience. We then witness a more recent occasion in a pub as Sean approaches Caroline, who, very annoyed, has him tossed out on his ear in full view of Jake and Charlie and the whole town. After much complaining, the townspeople are given time off for the wake and funeral, and production is temporarily halted. Pour Wee Mickey nearly has a coronary when he’s warned “don’t come to the set tomorrow smelling of alcohol” (we’ve all been to at least one Irish wake or funeral, right?).

Throughout the ‘movie’, Charlie tries in vain to interest the producer and director in a play he’s written. Jake has read his work and critiques the script as a story with ‘cardboard people’ but commends Charlie for making the effort. Having experienced much of what it takes to make a movie, they discuss pursuing the same path. Since his first attempt as a playwright ended in the trash, Charlie has his doubts; Jake encourages him to try again saying “...they can only knock us down if we don’t believe in ourselves.”

Our star players move effortlessly from character to character throughout the evening, entertaining us with nearly two hours of quick change artistry, not from costume or makeup changes, but with mannerisms, expressions and postures that are spot on. Could be rated “R” for language, it’s not for the squeamish, but don’t let that keep you away from this great show.