BWW Reviews: Retro Productions' THE BALTIMORE WALTZ Makes for Poignant, Thought-Provoking Theatre
First produced over twenty years ago, Retro Production's rendition of THE BALTIMORE WALTZ breathes new life into Paula Vogel's original play.
Written in response to her brother's diagnosis turned untimely passing due to AIDS, THE BALTIMORE WALTZ tells the story of school teacher Anna (Heather Cunningham) and her brother Carl's (Ricardo Rust) trip to Europe after Anna is diagnosed with the fictional disease ATD (Acquired Toilet Disorder). During their time there, Anna engages in casual sex with countless men in each country, much to the disapproval of Carl, who all the while carries on in his escapades with his mysterious pet rabbit that he has had from childhood. Greg Oliver Bodine plays a series of characters, including the doctor who diagnosed Anna in the first place.
The scene is set in an intimate space, set to look like a hospital room. A heart monitor featuring a quickened pulse plays in tangent with a few choice gay-80's-romp favorites, such as Whitney Houston Devo, and others. Occasionally, an urgent page can be heard, along with heavy breathing, reminding one of an operating room, or possibly Darth Vader.
The dialogue is the kind of phrasing that feels so poignant, relatable, and perfectly crafted to embody just the right feeling that there is a tangible shiver throughout the audience. There are only three cast members, each as strong as the next. In his portrayal of "the third man", Greg Oliver Bodine steals the show with his never faltering accents and various personas, i.e.: a French waiter, a dirty Dutch boy, a German Bellhop, and others. The performances are the kind that are so solid, it makes the ending even harder to stomach and the realization of the overall farce a punch straight to the gut.
All performances take place at the Underground Theater, 64 East 4th Street (between 2nd Avenue & Bowery), New York, New York, 10003. The show will continue its run through Saturday, November 23rd. There will be a talkback with Dr. Jeffrey Lawrence after the performances on Monday the 18th and Friday the 22nd. Tickets are $18.00 and are available here or by calling 866-811-4111. For more information, visit www.retroproductions.org.
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