(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) – It is rare to see a crowd literally leap to their feet to honor the cast, but that was the case at the opening of “The Value Of Names” as the lights rose following a quick and powerful ending. The crowd at George Street Playhouse instantly gave a standing ovation, but it was different than the standing ovations routinely handed out in theatre these days. This ovation was genuine; it was an outpouring of emotion for a triumphant night of theatre.
Benny Silverman, played by Jack Klugman (Odd Couple, Quincy), is a retired actor. His daughter Norma (Liz Larsen) is an actress who no longer wants to use her last name as her stage name. Norma is staying with her father while going through rehearsals for her new play. Things get rocky when the original director enters the hospital and is replaced by Leo Greshen (Dan Lauria from The Wonder Years) – the man who ruined Benny’s career when he named him to the House Committee on Un-American Activities forty years ago.
Leo is told that one of his actors has a personal problem with him as director so he pays Norma a visit after discovering that she is Benny’s daughter. The play truly takes off when Benny and Leo see each other again. Benny had done a great job avoiding his old friend through the years, but wasn’t going to avoid him at his own house. The scene when the two first see each other is very powerful. There is tension and love and hope and fear represented on stage as the audience peers into a friendship gone sour.
“I heard you were in the hospital,” said Leo. “What were you in for?”
Benny replied, “I had a little prostrate trouble.”
“What’s a little trouble?” asked Leo.
“It started taking me longer to pee than to prepare my taxes...”
The conversations drifts back into the past where it reaches dangerous territory. Benny talks about reading his FBI file and expresses amazement that one of his old friends had forgiven Leo and actually began working with him again. Leo is clearly trying to get Benny to forgive him as well, but Benny refuses to give in.
“Benny, we’re going to die soon,” Leo pleads.
The idea of holding grudges over a lifetime is one thing; the idea of holding grudges until the grave is something else. Benny has valid reasons to keep the grudge alive and Leo has valid reasons for the two to patch things up. The conflict makes for scenes so powerful that you just want to thank George Street for bringing this play to its stage and for putting together an all-star cast that delivers everything you could ask of them.
Dan Lauria gives the performance of a lifetime! I’ve seen Dan in about 5 productions or so and this is by far the best I have ever seen him on stage. In fact, I believe that Leo Gershen might be the most developed character I have ever seen on stage. The nuisances, the habits, the method of talking – Dan Lauria completely becomes someone else. Watching Dan on stage with Jack Klugman clearly brings his acting to a new level and it is wonderful to see.
Jack Klugman’s genius is in his restraint. He’s one of the few actors who you can watch and honestly believe is not acting. Prior to the performance, David Saint (George Street’s Artist Director) called Klugman one of the true masters of the American theatre and that is an understatement.
Liz Larsen is wonderful in a role that is a bit limited but very important to the play. In fact, the play is as much about her relationship with her father as it is about Benny and Leo’s past.
“He steals my name and you throw it away,” said Benny to his daughter.
You may never see a finer cast and the script by Jeffrey Sweet is brilliant; it mirrors the work of Arthur Miller with its tightrope walking from drama to comedy while dealing with one of the darkest periods in American history. George Street is fortunate to have someone like Jack Klugman in this play. Klugman not only is a wonderful actor but he lived through the blacklist period and knew many whose lives were ruined. His passion and anger gives the play authenticity that few plays will ever match.
There is definitely a value to names and this play proves it. This play is very highly recommended!
“The Value Of Names” is playing at George Street Play- house in New Brunswick through December 17, 2006. The play was written by Jeffrey Sweet and is directed by James Glossman. Set design was by R. Michael Miller.
