by Sylvia Blush ~
Nightsong for the Boatman is your basic morality play. Playwright Jovanka Bach doesn’t bring up a new convention in the telling of the story, but the floorplan is laid out cleanly. Its non-linear set-up helps support her main character’s distorted view on his own righteousness.
Harry (played by John DiFusco) is an alcoholic professor in literature who is unhappy with his work. He attempts to take his life by jumping off a bridge only to be stopped by a not so obvious guardian. In saving his life, Dunbar (played by Michael Byrne), wants Harry to give his life to the devil, unless Harry wins a round of dice. Harry loses and is forced to cross the River Styx unless he can find a willing participant to go in his place.
In the infancy of its run, the production has not truly found its feet. Aside from the technical elements, the pacing and rhythm between scenes were choppy. Director John Stark’s use of blackouts to signify a change in time or location was overdone and hindered the continuous action of the play. They ineffectively served as an easy out to let us know a flashback was taking place, which in itself was unclear through the writing.
Stark also barely used his beautiful yet simplistic set design. Staging most of the action on the blackness of the stage as opposed to the wooden decks took away from the reality of the play. A gorgeous painted city skyline and harbor at the forefront merely was a reminder of an adorned stage and hardly a part of the characters’ world. It might have worked best if the present moments incorporated the small dock and then took the flashbacks to the barron parts of the set without the use of blackouts. (Set designer: Jaret Sacrey.)
The highlight in this production is watching young actress Amanda Landis (Jesse) infuse energy and believability into the play. Landis, a junior in high school, has more than great acting chops and is worth keeping track of as she finds her place in theatre. Another notable performance was by Geoffrey Hillback (Gordon).
Nightsong for the Boatman performs: Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 P.M.; Sundays at 2:00 P.M. until December 12, 2010.
The Odyssey Theatre is located at 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., West Los Angeles, CA 90025
(one block north of Olympic). Parking is $3 at the theatre, but there is street parking available.
Ticket Prices are $18.00 General Admission. (Senior, Student and Group rates available.)
For reservations call: (310) 477-2055
[...] BITTER In the infancy of its run, the production has not truly found its feet. Aside from the technical elements, the pacing and rhythm between scenes were choppy. Director John Stark’s use of blackouts to signify a change in time or location was overdone and hindered the continuous action of the play. They ineffectively served as an easy out to let us know a flashback was taking place, which in itself was unclear through the writing. Sylvia Blush – LA Theatre Review [...]
Michael Byrne is outstanding as Dunbar. He is another actor to take note of. Looks like he has that special ability to play a wide range of roles. Look forward to seeing him in more productions…..The set is outstanding…..
I saw the play 12-4 and enjoyed it overall. The beginning of Act 1 was a bit slow, but the pacing picked up and continued through the second act. I especially liked Michael Byrne and Alex Wells as the boatmen and Geoffrey Hillback as Gordon, too bad he is only in the second act, Act 1 could use some of his humor and energy. Amanda Landis as Jesse, the daughter, is very talented and someone to keep an eye on in the future. Plus she supplies the vocal to John DeYoung’s haunting original song.