BWW Reviews: BEHIND THE GATES - SHALOM! and Shalom

BWW Reviews: "BEHIND THE GATES" - SHALOM!(Hello) and shalom (good-bye)
By Wendy Graf
Directed by Karla Hartley

May 3, 2013 at 8:00PM

The eastern United States premiere, of Wendy Graf's new play, "BEHIND THE GATES", is the current offering of the Jobsite Theatre Company, at the Straz Center's, Shimberg Playhouse, through May 26th.

I was thoroughly excited about seeing this new work for many reasons. First and foremost, is that I have had a longtime love affair with the Jewish culture and traditions, having been immersed into the Little Village of Anetevka, for over 35 years, on Broadway, in National Tours, and in over 2000 performances.

In addition, I was born and raised in New York, in an upper-middle class, Jewish-American neighborhood, most of my friends are Jewish Americans, ( I was publically recognized as an "Honorary Jew"), I speak Yiddish, and the storyline of "BEHIND THE GATES", revolves around an upper-middle class, Jewish American family from

New York. This play is about "MY" People!!!

- SHALOM! (hello...welcome).

The story takes place in present day, in New York and in Israel. The centerpiece of this production, is a rebellious, foul-mouthed, troubled, angry, pot-smoking, 17 year old teenage girl, named Bethany. Her rage and identity crisis, only adds to the many reasons her parents send her to study in Israel for the summer. What happens next?

You will have to see the show to find out the rest; or if you must, ...read a preview. I do not tell the entire story in my critiques.

Upon entering the theatre, the audience is immediately enveloped, with the haunting melodies of recorded, Klezmer music. There is a magical, earthy tonality, that you can feel in your bones with this music. The dark, mood lighting, enhanced the focus on the music and barely visible, minimalistic set design by Brian M. Smallheer. The setting and atmosphere, created the perfectly warm transport, to the story that was about to unfold.

-SHALOM- (Hello...welcome).

Generally speaking, the subject matter of "BEHIND THE GATES" is nothing new. Troubled teenagers searching for an idenity is part of everyday life. Fundamentalist, religious groups, are rampant. We read about it in the newspaper, we see it on television, and occasionally marching in step, right before our eyes.

The essence however of "BEHIND THE GATES", is not just about Jews or the Jewish culture per say, but about family and self-discovery. We can all relate to this. You don't have to be Jewish to understand and appreciate where the heart lies in this piece, in what could appear to some, as a controversial work.

Playwright, Wendy Graf, has all of the ingredients for a wonderful piece of theatre, in "BEHIND THE GATES". It is not only an interesting and thought provoking drama, but it is actually quite educational, as well. The script however, is in need of some revision. This is not uncommon in new works. There are constant rewrites during, and even after a premiere.

The script and dialogue challenges begin as soon as the opening monologue is over and the new characters are introduced. Some of Miss. Graf's characters, are one dimensional and suffer from clichés and stereotypical dialogue, that seem out of place and inappropriate, in what could otherwise be a truly engaging theatrical piece, from beginning to end.

The opening monologue, (even though filled with extreme profanity), was well written and very believable, as it sets the tone for the play. It was executed with brutal honesty, by gifted actor, Danielle Calderone.

Miss. Calderone has found multi-levels in her opening dialogue that grabbed the audience, as we observed her journey in discovery, from a rebellious teenager, to a "spirit-filled", young woman.

Director Karla Hartley's staging was simplistic, perhaps due to the confines of the small stage. She made an admirable choice, incorporating a costume change in the opening monologue, which was very effective.

The casting for this production is uneven. The theatrical line is somewhat challenging to define at times, of who is to be questioned for the final outcome.

Since Jewish tradition is based on questions......here goes.

Was it the actor's character choice? Was it the director who made the character choice for the actor? Was it a combination of both the actor and the director's choices? Was it just the script itself?

"The production lacks polish.", is what I overheard from a patron discussing the show during intermission. They were all in agreement with each other. "The story is there." "It needs to be 'kicked up a notch"..."It needs professionals".

Had this been a community theatre production, where no one gets paid and where ticket prices are modestly priced, Jewish tradition or not, I would NOT have asked any questions.

I would have written an appropriate "community theatre" critique, giving utmost consideration to all the volunteers, that put in endless time and talent, simply... "for FUN and the LOVE of the theatre".

Since this was the opening weekend, of "BEHIND THE GATES", I am certain that the production will smooth out its rough edges before it journeys on.

Be part of the Jewish tradition yourself...Question my critique. Go see it!

shalom (good-bye).

(for mature audiences ~ due to language and adult themes)

"BEHIND THE GATES" will play the Shimberg Playhouse, May 1st- May 26th, 2013 at at the Straz Center, 1010 North W.C. MacInnes Place • Tampa, Florida 33602. Tickets: $28.00 and may be purchased by calling 813.229.STAR (7827) or 800.955.1045 outside Tampa Bay, or in person at the Straz Center Ticket Office or online.

www.strazcenter.org