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- 8. October 2011: LIVES ON THE ROCKS
- 7. October 2011: YOU CAN PICK YOUR FRIENDS...
- 28. August 2011: GOING OUT WITH A BANG
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- 23. July 2011: RING! RING! DON’T ANSWER THAT PHONE!
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BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO
BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO
F. J. Hartland
Neil Sedaka sang, “Breaking up is hard to do.” Although he wasn’t telling us anything we didn’t already know. Everyone has been through the torment of a break-up, right?
Likewise the current No Name production of Michael Cristofer’s Breaking Up doesn’t shed any new light on breaking up. But it is an entertaining ninety minutes with two engaging performers.
Director Don DiGiulio has cleverly added two elements to the stage production.The first are film clips of the couple “Alice” (played by Tressa Glover) and “Steve” (played by Jody O’Donnell) in happier days. The juxtaposition of this as the backdrop of the “break up” creates a bittersweet feeling. (Oddly enough, I don’t think either character ever calls the other by name—perhaps this is at the heart of their break-up?)
Second, DiGuilio enlisted the participation of eleven local artists to create an artwork based on each scene from Breaking Up. The art work is on display in the lobby; it is also projected behind each scene. While I didn’t always see the connection between each canvas and its scene, the artwork is attractive and appealing.
DiGiulio also keeps the play running at a brisk pace, never allowing the action to drag.
At the heart of Breaking Up are the two performers.Glover and O’Donnell have wonderful chemistry and create two characters who are flawed—but likeable. Some of their best moments occur in their solo scenes. Breaking Up is peppered with telephone calls. While it’s a one-sided dialogue, it is a credit to Glover and O’Donnell that I seem to be able to actually hear the unheard side of the conversations.O’Donnell’s best moment, however, is when he asks Glover to “give him a minute” before she walks out for the final time. No words are spoken, but O’Donnell’s face speaks volumes.
Nick Coppula’s simple set works well and also helps the pace of the show. It also functions well in the intimate Bricolage space.
Breaking Up is not a great script. In fact, it pales in comparison with Cristofer’s Pultizer Prize winning The Shadow Box. And if it were any longer—or had DiGuilio allowed the pace o slow—it would be much less effective.
Breaking Up continues through December 19.