Seen LOTS Better
Written: Mar 25 '01
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Funny at times, the Mother's performance
Cons: stereotypes, far fetched, lack of continuity
The Bottom Line: Funny first act, although stereotypical, many funny moments. Second act ~ real disappointment.
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| bls19's Full Review: The Tale of the Allergist's Wife |
Let me start by saying I am not only a Linda Lavin fan, but a Tony Roberts and Michelle Lee fan as well, and I was very disappointed in this play. I had really been looking forward to it, and had tried to get tickets through TDF three times. The last time I think they took pity on me, because I got a note saying they had sold out their quota, but were offering a few new dates. I mailed immediately, and was thrilled when they arrived. That was the most thrilling part of the show!
Over the years I have enjoyed Linda Lavin on Barney Miller, Alice, and other television shows. I was privileged to see her in Anne Frank, in which her performance was outstanding, but in Tale of The Allergist's Wife, she is way over the top. All I could think, during the first act was, "What a drama queen!". Now, I know she was portraying one, a wife in pain. She has been virtually ignored by her husband; her kids have flown from the nest, and her therapist has just died. She is in the throes of depression and tormented abandonment issues, and self doubt, but the performance was hysterical and overacted. It seemed that all of Ms. Lavin's lines, in the first act, were screamed. Her voice, even up in the mezzanine, was strident, and painfully loud. Needless to say, as a fan, I was very disappointed.
Tony Roberts portrayed the good doctor, willing to help everyone in the world, but not noticing the angst in his own home. When he does, he is slightly bewildered. He did it well, and was very believable. I think he overcame the script's flaws, and was very good.
Ms. Lee appears at Lavin's door, a stranger looking for an apartment. After realizing she has come to the wrong door, the ladies (Lavin and Lee), realize they knew each other many years ago, and their renewed friendship blossoms during the first act.
The brightest part of the show is Lavin's mother. She is a nagging, insightful mother/mother in law, who cusses everybody out in her own style. She is described during the play as an "equal opportunity F you-er". She is very funny, reminiscent of a Jewish version of Estelle Getty on Golden Girls. Shirl Bernheim plays the role to the hilt, and is a joy!
All of this flows with predictability, and stereotypical outcomes, through the first act. We have the angst ridden Jewish wife, feeling abandoned by her children, neglected by her husband, and nagged by her mother. Said mother is a true nag, not only is nothing her daughter right, but she should consider herself lucky to have a doctor husband! Then there is the reknowned doctor, able to save the world, but unaware of his wife's problems. Enter the gorgeous friend, with an exciting life to help the poor sad wife find excitement, happiness and herself.
Ah, but then comes the second act. Oops; here comes a long shot from left field. This is a surprise that no one expects. Although stereotypical plots generally get a boost from a surprise, there is nothing to support the surprise that comes our way. I will not describe exactly what happens, (in case you do go to see this show), but let it suffice to say, although a shot in the arm was needed to change this from a predictable story, it needed something a little more believable. What happens has no anchor in the story, or the characters' personalities. After being totally predictable, it goes into being completely wild, weird, and outlandish.
The first act was funny, but would have far more enjoyable, if Ms. Lavin took it down a notch, but the second act is a killer. If we hadn't gotten discount tickets, I would have left the theater crying!
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
bls19
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Reviews written: 13
Trusted by: 2 members
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