Playwright: Annie Reiner
At: Victory Gardens Theater
Phone: (773) 871-3000; $33-$40
Runs through: Oct. 24
In this world premiere by Annie Reiner (daughter of Carl, sister of Rob), veteran actor Harold Gould lights up the stage playing veteran actor Ted Gold, a Shakespeare-quoting forgotten star confronting his own mortality and perceived diminishment. Shocked by Ted's depression and forgetfulness, his wife of 54 years (Victory Gardens regular Roslyn Alexander) and daughter (young veteran Julia Neary) take him to task for his egotistical self-absorption.
Gould's performance on the intimate stage is a pleasure, a detailed and assured study in advanced naturalistic acting. Watching Gould drum his fingers on the table, hearing how he hesitates within a line, seeing his face shine and eyes glisten as he remembers his mother, are to observe details of work that's both charming and convincing. Mss. Alexander and Neary are no slouches, but Gould's is the star turn because of the depth of the role rather than its size. An effective mother-daughter scene in Act II notwithstanding, the women aren't as fully etched. And, while every play has unique challenges, Alexander can do the Jewish mother/wife in her sleep.
Despite Ted Gold's sense that he's at the end of his tether, this comedy-drama isn't a bit morbid, and the Reiner family genes guarantee some witty observations and good punchlines. "When did coffee become a religion, with a temple on every block?" Mrs. Gold asks. "Bagels, another new religion," she continues. "Sometimes you can get your coffee and your bagel at the same temple." Director Dennis Zacek highlights the play's warmth and rhythm by keeping the pace smart but never rushed, while Mary Griswold's scenic design, with oak column details and traditional furniture, provides exactly the right comfortable solidity and taste.
Still, as a new play The Family Gold has some imperfections Reiner might address. Most obvious are two problematic minor characters, a neighbor (Mary Seibel) and a delivery boy (Tony Sancho). Appearing in one scene only, the Latino delivery boy is a brief exercise in liberal guilt. A veiled hint that he mugged Ted Gold isn't explored or resolved, so it would be better to drop the hint and the character. The neighbor, a larger role, could more easily become essential as a confidant for Mrs. Gold.
Reiner engages many issues, perhaps too many: mother-daughter conflict, Ted's depression, the daughter's marriage troubles, Ted's guilt over his father, etc. When wife and daughter accuse Ted of being selfish and emotionally distant--the big Act II crisis--it blindsides us because that's not the Ted Gold we've seen. We've seen a warm, engaged man with few signs of stereotyped actor's temperament or self-drama. Through writing, direction and acting, Ted Gold is cuddly. Reiner needs to shape and refine her material if cuddly isn't right.