Wendy R. Williams' Theatre Column

Greetings Theater Lovers,

I saw two shows this month: the one man show Shay Duffin as Brendan Behan: Confessions of an Irish Rebel at the Irish Arts Center and A. R. Gurney’s Post Mortem at the Flea Theater.

First Confessions: The Irish can certainly tell a tale and Shay Duffin is one master story teller, bringing Brendan Behan to life right here in Manhattan. Duffin actually knew Behan; he grew up down the street from him and says that he was scared of him and avoided him when he could. But he is not avoiding him anymore; Duffin is nightly embodying Behan, telling the story of his life. It is all there: the rebellion; the runs-in with the law; the membership in the IRA; and the drinking and talking, - lots of drinking and talking.

Here is a quote from the press release for the show: “ Shay Duffin as Brendan Behan: Confessions of an Irish Rebel offers a unique look at Irish history and culture through the life experiences of author and playwright Brendan Behan. Born in Dublin (1923), Brendan Behan was part of a working class family. His father was active in the Irish War of Independence. His uncle Peadar Kearney wrote the Irish National Anthem. His mother was also politically active all her life. Brendan's own activities contributed to his novel, The Borstal Boy, as well as his plays The Quare Fellow , The Big House, and The Hostage.”

The night I was there, the audience (including me) was entranced. Duffin held a question and answer session afterwards and from the questions asked, it was obvious that he has some die hard fans here in Manhattan. Bravo to Mr. Duffin for bringing this show to life.

Confessions of an Irish Rebel runs from October 11, 2006 to November 5, 2006 at the Irish Arts Center located at 553 West 51st Street in Manhattan. Tickets are $45,000 at www.smarttix.com or 212-868-4444.

And then it was on the Flea Theater for A. R. Gurney’s Post Mortem. Post Mortem was directed by Jim Simpson (also Sigourney Weaver’s husband) and starred: Tina Benko; Shannon Burkett; and Christopher Kromer.

According to the press release for the show, “ Post Mortem examines the validity of theater as a potent social force in a society rankled by political conservatism and the evangelical leanings of the right.”

The play is set in the future at a religiously funded University somewhere in the hinterland. A professor named Alice (Tina Benko) is approached by a student, Dexter (Christopher Kromer), who wishes to write his thesis about a now forbidden playwright, A, R. Gurney himself. The professor is a closet actress who gave up the theater for academia when she realized that this was her only course in the present political climate.

The second act is set in the future’s future. The professor and her student did decide to present Gurney’s play (against all odds) and by doing so they have transformed the political landscape – freedom now reigns throughout the land. And in Act II, they are celebrities and are back at the University where they are being interviewed about their accomplishments by Betsy (Shannon Burkett).

This play is very witty, the actors give outstanding performances and Simpson does a great job of moving the story along. It is also thought provoking – a chance to look at how much of our freedom we are just willingly giving up, not even waiting to be robbed of it. And it is also a chance for A. R. Gurney to have a great deal of fun by making fun of himself.

The Flea Theater has been a leader in producing plays that challenge our current political climate. They recently produced another play, Yussef El Guindi’s Back of the Throat about an Arab man who is detained by the Department of Homeland Security under extremely dubious (read paranoid) circumstances. See my June 2006 Theater Column: http://www.newyorkcool.com/archives/2006/June/theater_1.html.

Post Mortem runs October 18th – December 9 th at The Flea Theater at 41 White Street, Between Broadway and Church Streets in SoHo. Tickets are $18.00-$45.00 at 212-352-3101 www.ovationtix.com

Rock on,

Wendy