A Review

A Few Credits Short

By R. J. Donovan

Near the end of "The Graduate," now on stage at The Colonial Theatre, Mrs. Robinson claims that her husband and daughter have been plagued by enduring dullness.  Sadly, that pretty much sums up the night in general.

"The Graduate" started off in life as a 1963 semi-autobiographical novel by Charles Webb about privileged college graduate Benjamin Braddock and the lack of focus in his future. 

However, it was the subsequent film version with Dustin Hoffman and Anne Bancroft that raised the coming-of-age story and characters to icon status (aided by the musical score of Simon and Garfunkle). 

In 2000, the story made it to the London stage with Kathleen Turner starring as Mrs. Robinson. And in 2002, a pre-Broadway tour, also with Turner, played Boston. The show created quite a buzz and quickly became the hot ticket in town.

"The Graduate" went on to a decent run in New York and more recently set off on a national tour. Several actresses have stepped into Mrs. Robinson's alcoholic shoes, including Jerry Hall, Anne Archer, Kelly McGillis, Lorraine Bracco and Linda Gray (who, as film buffs know, is the owner of the shapely leg featured in the original poster for the film version).  It's Bracco (left) who's currently headlining the show at The Colonial.

Mrs. Robinson is a sad product of her environment. Also privileged, she is simple and direct and fairly bored with life and her husband. She wants Benjamin, period. No hesitation. No embarrassment. When she invades his bedroom and asks him to help her with her zipper, there is no mistake in her motive.

And when Benjamin later stutters and stammers trying to rent a hotel room for their tryst, she flatly -- and with an almost dead calm -- informs the desk clerk they’d prefer a double bed.

The dark and sultry Ms. Bracco has captured the imagination of cable viewers via her role as Dr. Melfi, psychiatrist to Tony Soprano on HBO’s “The Sopranos.”  Here, her raspy, measured style of delivery adds a sexy patina to the role of the sensual Mrs. Robinson.  However, it turns out to be a one-note performance.  Which may be less Bracco's dramatic choice than the director's, since all three principles appear to be doing the same thing  -- each at a different tone and volume. (Peter Lawrence directs the national tour. He did not direct the original production.)

As Benjamin Braddock, Jonathan C. Kaplan delivers his lines in a similar monotone, only faster.  Devon Sorvari, as Robinson's daughter Elaine, adopts a comparable stance, only at a shrill volume.

The rather lengthy evening covers little ground.  Benjamin meets Mrs. Robinson.  Mrs. Robinson does her nude scene (8 seconds with shadowy lighting). They wind up in bed.  Benjamin meets Elaine.  Elaine loathes Benjamin. Benjamin falls in love with Elaine. 

With so little character development in Terry Johnson's flat script, it's barely plausible that Benjamin would become smitten with Elaine  There’s no click, no spark. Quite the opposite, as she spend so much time hollering. 

One actor who doesn't fall into the one-note pit is Dennis Parlato as Mr. Robinson.  His role is small, but he brings life to the show in a confrontation scene with Benjamin late in the second act.

Rounding out the cast are William Hill and Corinna May as Benjamin's parents.

"The Graduate" is at The Colonial Theatre, 106 Boylston Street in Boston, through February 8. For information, call 617-931-2787.

-- OnStage Boston

1/30/04

 

 
 
 
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