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| Review by Ross Anthony | ||
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The play delights in showing off the various quirks of the Sycamore family with hobbies spanning from print-stamping to basement firework construction. They're a charming bunch, made me wonder if "The Adam's Family" TV series was patterned after them. For this stage play the simple point of conflict revolves around the merging of this loveable easygoing bunch with the stereotypical rich, conservative, tightly-wound family through a potential marriage of two young lovers. Simple, straightforward, full of safe silliness and the gaiety of the 1930's. It's a sitcom stage play from a more innocent time, with an easily-understood and timeless theme echoed in the title. Light, fun, with a vibrant pace and plenty of charm, it'll keep a smile on your face while the occasional more modern-sounding line will cajole a strong belly chuckle from time to time. The set is warm and sprawling, the blocking fills the stage with the eccentric family, good performances by all, especially Linda DeMetrick, Stan Kelly, and James Fowler. Easy to like, but as a composition, I felt it missing a private, serious, evaluative, scene between Mr. and Mrs. Kirby. Lacking that, Mr. Kirby's arc comes off quite cartoonish, leaving the otherwise profound theme unfortunately less resounding. |
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Copyright © 1998-2023 Ross Anthony, Author - Speaker - Solo World Circumnavigator In addition to reviewing films and interviewing celebs at HollywoodReportCard.com, traveling the world, composing great music, motivational speaking, Mr. Anthony also runs his own publishing company in the Los Angeles area. While traversing the circumference of the planet writing books and shooting documentaries, Mr. Anthony has taught, presented for, worked &/or played with locals in over 30 countries & 100 cities (Nairobi to Nagasaki). He's bungee-jumped from a bridge near Victoria Falls, wrestled with lions in Zimbabwe, crashed a Vespa off a high mountain road in Taiwan, and ridden a dirt bike across the States (Washington State to Washington DC). To get signed books ("Rodney Appleseed" to "Jinshirou") or schedule Ross to speak check out: www.RossAnthony.com or call 1-800-767-7186.
Go into the world and inspire the people you meet with your love, kindness, and whatever it is you're really good at. Check out books by Ross Anthony. Rand() functions, Pho chicken soup, rollerblading, and frozen yogurt (w/ blueberries) also rock! (Btw, rand is short for random. It can also stand for "Really Awkward Nutty Dinosaurs" -- which is quite rand, isn't it?) Being alive is the miracle. Special thanks to Ken Kocanda, HAL, Jodie Keszek, Don Haderlein, Mom and Pops, my family, R. Foss, and many others by Ross Anthony. Galati-FE also deserves a shout out. And thanks to all of you for your interest and optimism. Enjoy great films, read stirring novels, grow. |
