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Arthur Miller's talky play The Price does not quite stand up to his masterpieces All My Sons or Death of a Salesman. Focusing in on the disagreement between two brothers who come together for the first time in 16 years to sell off their father's antiques, it has its moments of tenderness and deep feeling, but is overall less moving and certainly less urgent. Theatre West offers a skillful production with some very excellent work.
The one thing I noticed about Act II is the repetitiousness of the conflict. Brother Walter (Don Moss) takes his coat off and puts it back on at least three times to stay and rehash an argument that we have been hearing over and over for two hours. Stay and take care of an aging father, sacrificing your own dreams, or take off and pursue with abandonment your own selfish ambitions!
Both Moss and Cal Bartlett as Victor are fine as the brothers, but the hesitations, especially from Moss, showed a lack of readiness on opening night. Most likely with time, the scenes will play stronger. Dianne Travis as Victor's wife Esther is simply marvelous. She is gutsy, beautiful and thoroughly real, especially convincing in her downtrodden weariness, almost a female Willy Loman. The best actor of the evening hands down is Marvin Kaplan as Soloman, the appraiser who comes to offer a price for the antique furniture. This is a dream role for Kaplan, whose talent and remarkably original sense of humor have served him well in the business for 82 years. He gives us a slow-moving, but quick witted, deliciously wise and reflective man who knows how to look out for himself by clinching the perfect deal. What a likeable con artist! A bravura performance!
Berg is resourceful in filling the large space and Jeff Rack's set design (with actual donated antique pieces) of the decrepit attic apartment is right on target.No man is to blame for another man's failure. We all pay a price in our lives. Sometimes we wish we could go back and make changes; other times, we stand firm and refuse to compromise. Some win, some lose; that's the game of life, and no one expresses it better than Arthur Miller. But, I really believe he could have cut at least 20 minutes from The Price. Irregardless, it is a thoughtful, ruminating view of living from an older perspective - and Theatre West's fine revival merits our attention and respect.
