If I had to choose one word to sum up "Bosoms and Neglect," the new play at the Vortex, that word would be: brilliant.
A stellar small cast plus an intimate setting made for an altogether entertaining and engaging night at the theater, which is usually one of my least favorite places to be.
In this incredible story, written by John Guare and directed at the Vortex by Asae Rawley, Steve Pinzone stars as Scooper, a 40 year-old who is in therapy three times a week and has come to rely on his therapist, the never-seen Dr. James. Deirdre, played by Jennifer Stephenson, is a fellow patient Scooper meets one day in the waiting room of their mutual psychiatrist. He follows her to a bookstore, where they begin a dialogue. To say more of their interaction would be unfair to those who end up going to see this spectacular play.
However, more can and should be said about the outstanding beacon of light in the play, Ninette Mordaunt, who plays Henny, Scooper's mother, a lady full of problems. About 10 years ago, Henny went blind and for the last two years, she has lived in excruciating pain for a reason that is explained in the first act.
Henny has also attempted suicide a few times in the last couple years and her husband, Jack, recently died of a stroke. She takes comfort in listening to the radio and communing with her plastic statue of St. Jude.
Mourdaunt shines in this role, playing her character in such form that it was hard to tell whether or not the New York accent that she has in the play was real. Her performance is eerily similar to Ellen Burstyn's in "Requiem For A Dream," in that they both play the same sort of character, not that Henny falls victim to the same things as Sarah Goldfarb.
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None of this is to downplay the effect that both Pinzone and Stephenson have on the play. They fill the stage with their presence every time that they speak and even when they are silent. The cast, as mentioned before, does an amazing job with an amazing script and the result is a sure-fire can't-miss hit.
Nobody in this play ever really deals with any of their problems the way that they should. In some way or another, they dodge the bullet. Guare seems to be telling his audience that while this may appear to work at the time, eventually everyone will have to cope with the issues they've avoided up to that point.
There is a main point to all of the rumblings brought up on this stage and it is this
we, as humans, as sons and daughters, as mothers and fathers, only get so many chances.
This show is highly recommended for anyone who wants to see some superb acting skills, hear some exceptional dialogue, or just have something else to do on the weekend other than the norm.
"Bosoms and Neglect" is playing at the Vortex Theatre at 2004 Central Ave. Feb. 7-23, on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 6 p.m. Tickets are $10 for general admission, $8 for students and senior citizens and only $7 on Sundays. For more information or to make reservations, call the Vortex at 247-8600.
