28 ▼ J a n u a ry 19. 1 9 9 0 ▼ jus« ou«
S cenes
J O A N
B A E Z
of
S truggle
.
Current plays at Portland Rep and triangle! show people
wrestling with ideas and injustices
by C. Jay Wilson Jr.
g
|
I n C oncert
J *
'•IP'*1 V*
W ith S pecial G uest
D ar W illiams
F ebruary 5 th • 8 pm
C ivic A uditorium
C
ontentious issues of race and class in the
umankind’s association with science
United States of the late 1960s establish the
has always been suspect. As the In
drama in Portland Repertory Theater’s im
dustrial Revolution unleashed its ra
pressive presentation of August W ilson’s Two Trains
pacious influence, m an’s attempt to
Running. One o f Portland’s finest assemblies of
illuminate the mysteries of the natural
actors
executes Kenneth W ashington’s thoughtful
world through scientific discovery intensified,
spark
stage direction, and accomplishes a translation of
ing admonishments from those who sought to ex
W ilson’s script into an evening of engaging theater.
pose the repercussions that such advances present.
Part of a cycle of plays that explores the African
In the late 20th century, these warnings are still
American experience throughout the decades of the
timely and— in light o f recent scientific discoveries
20th century, Two Trains Running is another suc
mmmm ______________________________________
cessful contribution by one of the most important
playwrights writing for the contemporary stage.
August W ilson’s ability to transform prosaic dia
j L .
logue and settings into exuberant expressions of
human transcendence over oppression marks his as
concerning genetic engineering— absolutely essen
an unparalleled contribution to the understanding of
tial.
African American history.
Triangle productions! has mounted a play that
poses the predicament with a modem twist. The
Wilson establishes a cast of characters who at
Twilight o f the Golds by Jonathan Tolins filters
first glance appear to be unlikely heroes, but by the
contemporary gay and straight media coverage of
end o f the play they have completely drawn the
new research that seeks to isolate a “gay gene” and
audience into their lives and stories. William Earl
sustains the discussion through an intense familial
Ray is riveting as Memphis, the hardened owner of
discourse interspersed with soliloquies and the over
the shabby diner where various denizens o f the
neighborhood gather. Jesse Holmes, Wrick Jones
wrought presence o f W agnerian opera. The play is
perhaps the point at which a cerebral ’50s sci-fi
and Aldo Billingslea are all equally enchanting as
problem-drama meets the
histrionics of a ’90s soap
opera.
Here is Twilight's
central dilemma: Genetic
testing presents you with
the knowledge that your
unborn child has the 90
percent probability o f be
ing gay— do you abort
the fetus to avoid the po
tential anguish that would
result for both parents and
child? The play’s five
characters struggle with
this dilemma and exam
ine the repercussions that
such a decision would
have for all o f them.
The most problematic Aldo Billingslea, Wrick Jones and William Earl Ray in Tw o Trains R unning
aspect o f the production
is Tolins’ script. Apart from the contrived use of
diner patrons who share their diverse encounters
orchestral selections from W agner’s Ring cycle for
and frequently conflicting philosophies o f life.
dramatic effect, David Gold (the quintessential gay
Two Trains Running is set completely within
opera lover) and his sister, Suzanne, and her hus
M emphis’ diner, which becomes a public meeting
band, Rob— the parents o f the fetus in question—
house where characters disclose their fears, hopes
are unlikely candidates to be the play’s protagonists.
and uneasiness in a time o f sociological and political
Their characters exhibit very few heroic qualities,
turmoil. The year is 1 9 6 9 — as we know, a year that
and the audience is left ultimately unable to sympa
was instrumental in advancing the process o f civil
thize with them, put off by their self-absorption and
rights for people unaccustomed to receiving those
incessant whining. Some o f the fault may lie with
basic benefits. The struggles that the characters
the actors’ rendering o f the roles (particularly Nicho
undergo to make sense of their environment and
las Pepper’s stilted performance as David), but with
respective social position are only too accessible in
the material that Tolins gives each character it
this play. The diner that contains the drama effec
appears an impossible task to reverse the unpleasant
tively symbolizes a precarious community where
experience that the audience is bound to have of
there is a confrontation between two worlds: one
them.
steeped in the established tradition of oppression
The play is not devoid of merits, however. Two
and superstition, and the other recognizing a glim
gleaming bright spots in the play, perhaps surpris
mer of hope beyond the present social order.
ingly, are the roles o f David and Suzanne’s parents.
Two Trains Running is W ilson’s theatrical inter
Sue Ellen Christensen and Tom Lasswell are con
pretation of the historical clash between resistance
vincing in their roles o f the tragically bemused
and acceptance o f a flawed system o f social justice,
Phyllis and W alter Gold. Essentially the only lik
and through this representation he manages to re
able personalities in the play— and the most devel
veal simple universal lessons of life, love and tran
oped o f Tolins’ characters— both are deftly and
scendence.
humorously handled by two seasoned actors who
Tw ilight o f the G olds is at the Main Street
command some o f the play’s most compelling dia
Playhouse through Feb. 3. Tickets are $13;
logue.
call Fastixx at 224-8499 or the triangle!
Despite its shortcomings, this is a provocative
box office at 223-6790.
play that attempts to wrestle with some difficult
Tw o Trains R unning is at the Portland
moral questions. The Twilight o f the Golds boldly
Repertory Theatre through Feb. 3.
unfolds another layer o f an argument that offers
Tickets
are $25; call TicketMaster at
more than just food for thought— it presents ques
224-4400 or PRT at 224-4491.
tions that probe into the core o f our humanity.
H
PHOTO BY RICK ADAMS
heater
a g
I
FEB. 2 6 & 28 • 8 P M
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