| LA Times Review |
[Oct. 5th, 2007|11:53 am] |
'Milk Train' a flawed revival'
Reviving Tennessee Williams' seldom-performed and much-maligned 1963 play, "The Milk Train Doesn't Stop Here Anymore," would seem like an act of foolishness -- or at least a foolhardy dare. The drama flopped twice on Broadway and hasn't been seen in Los Angeles for more than 25 years. The Fountain Theatre's new production lunges into this problematic play with energy and enthusiasm, but the messy results show how hard it can be for a talented cast to overcome flawed material.
The drama unfolds in the Italian villa of Mrs. Goforth (Karen Kondazian), a Southern gorgon who is dictating her memoirs to her secretary (Lisa Pelikan). When a handsome young man (Michael Rodgers) trespasses on the property, the old lady is smitten and finds a renewed sense of life. In several respects, Mrs. Goforth feels like a composite of Williams' more notable monstrous matriarchs, such as Mrs. Venable from "Suddenly, Last Summer" or Amanda Wingfield from "The Glass Menagerie." Mostly, though, she suggests an old man in drag, smearing on makeup and modeling an outlandish line of wigs and gowns.
There is, in fact, a real drag queen in this production. The character of Connie, a catty socialite nicknamed the Witch of Capri, is played by Scott Presley, who seems like he just wandered in from a West Hollywood cabaret show. The gay camp histrionics are mildly amusing, and the cast is deliciously game, but none of this can compensate for the play's misconceived third act. When Mrs. Goforth discovers her guest's intentions may be sinister, an existential war of words ensues. The garrulous pontificating leads nowhere and takes a long time doing it. "Can you please get on to whatever you're getting to?" implores Mrs. Goforth.
Audiences can expect to feel a similar exasperation as the play gets lost in its own talky haze. |
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| Comments: |
The play in itself doesn't seem to be getting good reviews, but the cast is.....so that's good. Thanks for the review PP!! And....can I just say that Michael is the ONLY man I know that actually looks handsome with facial hair?? Trust me....I don't say that about ALOT of men!! LOL
Some guys do okay with the scruff, but yeah, I've never been into beards. They always seem to be hiding something.
LOL.....he does look good though. I CAN'T believe he's still single. I'm sure he has a gf (or bf or both....LOL) Looks and talent?? Come on....unless he's a complete asshole. Which I doubt.....
Does anybody else love him in that long robe type thing he's wearing? Oh, that man is responsible for so many happy dreams. | |
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