Event Article

The first time that I sat down with Robert Jensen to talk about his new show "The Front Page," he was sweating. It was the last week of rehearsal before the big opening and the show was long and very unfunny. Little changed from the time of that interview until I sat and watched it. Now granted I did only watch a dress rehearsal, but it was the final dress rehearsal and they were to open in an hour and a half. Other than being unfamiliar with the props, talking over each lines and the lagging first act, it could have been smoother.

The story unfolds of Hildy Johnson and his quest to leave his love behind, the newspaper, for his new bride-to-be.Unfortunately, he has the complications of a militant and conniving boss to get around. No to mention a huge story lands in his lap as he should be boarding a train with his fiancee. There ensues the three hour long show with pace~ that give - the audience whiplash from following the free-flowing pace to sudden tripping up and dying of lines.

Hildy Johnson played by Patrick Dall 'Occhio was the high point. He brought so much to a stage that seemed to be dead and dreary. The other supporting leads were enjoyable also. Bryan Madigan as Walter Bums had moments that offered life and sadic humor. Unfortunately, it was the in betweens that the audience was left to fend for themselves.

So much happens on the stage at one time that it gets complicated to follow, especially when everyone is over running their lines and coming in with their lines before it's their time. It's unfortunate the sarcasm was flat and the characters looked uncomfortable to be in the place they work, where they shoo off unwanted people and poke fun at women.

The props offered the most of complications. There is a scene in which the character Earl Williams (Kevin Brown) can't stand being on the roof any longer so he decides to· take a risk by sliding down the storm drain. It brakes off and he goes swinging into the newsroom. The pipe he swings on didn't show up until the day of the · show. It was another thing the cast had to suddenly get comfortable with to make the audience believe it. Kevin did a good job with it and things went smoothly. But things like phone chords and door locks didn't extend the same ease. ·

The set was fantastic, offering depth and reality in the farce world "The Front Page" offers. The technicals with phones constantly ringing and lights being turned on and off came across very smooth. It offered a great picture of the 20s newspaper with all its chaos and sensationalism.

Other than the lengthy time and prop discomforts, "The Front Page" offered an interesting theatrical experience.