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| REVIEWS > CHAIM'S LOVE SONG | |||||||||||
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THE MIRROR March 4, 2008 CHAIM’S LOVE SONGTheatre Review by Mark Andrew Lawrence Chaim. It means life, and the title character
in Chaim’s Love Song is full of it. This play by Marvin
Chernoff enjoyed a successful run in New York in 1998 and is
currently on stage at the Leah Posluns Theatre in a production by
Teatron. The piece is essentially a memory play as Chaim befriends a young newlywed in the park behind his Brooklyn home and shares with her the stories of his life. His tales are so vivid that over the course of a few short hours we get a remarkable picture of this now-retired postman, his friendships, his family and most of all, his second wife who ultimately learns to share his joy in life. The play is simple and touching, and at times uproariously funny. Best of all it is enlivened by Irving Dobbs’ larger-than-life portrayal of Chaim. He creates such an instantly likable character that we can easily understand why the young lady not only stays to listen but returns day after day for more. Kelly is a young teacher from Ohio who forms this unlikely friendship with Chaim, listening to his stories and learning how to solve her own marital problems. In lesser hands her co-star could easily eclipse this role, but Julie Holdsworth’s performance makes her so much more than just a passive listener. It is through her that we come to know and love this master storyteller. The others in Chaim’s life include his best friend Oscar, played with philosophical charm by Jack Berke. It’s fun to watch these two walk endlessly around the park arguing over the smallest of details. There are arguments as well with Chaim’s children. Kivi Shapiro plays the son who works sporadically playing a gorilla in a children’s TV show, and Leah Chwaiewsky portrays his unhappily married daughter, as well as a number of other characters. Andria Siegler has a short bright cameo as the determined matchmaker who introduces Chaim to his second wife, Tzawrah played with sensitivity by Reva Lawry. Ari Weisberg’s staging, aided by Daniel Sonenberg’s effective lighting design, makes it clear when Chaim’s memories are taking over the stage. Even within this simple staging, we always know where and when the action is unfolding. The pauses between the scenes, particularly near the end of the play should be tightened, but that is a minor problem. Chaim’s Love Song is a sweet show, without ever becoming saccharine. Weisberg notes in the program that after reading the play several years ago he fell in love with it. You will too. Chaim’s Love Song plays until March 9 at the Leah Posluns Theatre, 4588 Bathurst St. Performances at 8PM Wednesday and Thursday, 8:30 pm Saturday and 2 PM on Sunday. For tickets call 416-781-5527. |
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Teatron Toronto Jewish Theatre | Office 41 Warwick Ave. Toronto ON M6C 1T7 | 416-781-5527 | info@teatrontheatre.com Copyright 2009 (c) Teatron Theatre. Last Updated 09/23/2011
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