Review: UNLIKELY HEROES at Mizner Park

Just Another Play About Families? Well, No. Not a Bit.

There's only one word I can use to describe UNLIKELY HEROES: intense. And captivating. And funny. And every spoken word is just right, for that time, that place. One word, I said? So, sue me. This world premiére is impressive; the acting, the directing, the writing, not a missed beat.

Playwright Charles Gluck took his first play to director Avi Hoffman and four years later the two have produced a family story of two brothers, two wives, a sister and a son that in ninety minutes defines love, hate and most things in between.

A tremendous ensemble cast offers a lesson in becoming, not acting. You can see it in their eyes.

Avi Hoffman and Michael H. Small have the two show roles, rag trade brothers David and Leo. Hoffman is David, follower, oil on the water at any cost, and Small as Leo is a conniving leader, magnanimous if the rewards are there. These two are outstanding and that's a tough thing to be in this cast.

Margo Moreland is Mindy, bitter alcoholic wife to David. Robert Johnston plays their son, Bradley, an angry basement dwelling 27 year old whose life is online gaming. Patti Gardner is Leo's childless wife, Susan, worried about her future. And then there's Kim Ostrenko as Gail, sister of David and Leo, looking for a man. It all sounds so simple, but...

Writer Gluck has a devious imagination and a sense of humor that makes real life a feast on stage. And actor/director Avi Hoffman shows that his two roles are not mutually exclusive.

His direction is tastefully inventive; the subtlety of the scene changes and the accompanying music are a good example of the high production values in UNLIKELY HEROES.

The talented designers are Michael McClain, set; Preston Bircher, lights; Rich Szczublewski, sound and Penny Williams, costumes.

The really nice thing is that this is the first world premiére I've seen in a long time that doesn't need editing. A tight one act. It'll go.

UNLIKELY HEROES is presented by Family Pool Productions at the Mizner Park Cultural Arts Center, 201 Plaza Real, Boca Raton. It runs through February 21. 561-406-8007 http://unlikelyheroesplay.com

Photo: Avi Hoffman