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Frank’s Home
By Richard Nelson
Directed by Robert Falls
At the Goodman Owens Theatre
170 N. Dearborn
Chicago, IL
Call 312-443-3800, tickets $10 - $35
Tuesdays through Thursdays at 7:30 PM
Fridays at 8 PM
Saturdays at 2 & 8 PM
Sundays at 2 & 7:30 PM
Running time is 1 hour 50 minutes without intermission
Through December 23, 2006
Slow pace bogs down telling look at genius architect
Richard Nelson is a wonder storyteller and playwright and Robert Falls is a famed director. So why was their latest work, Frank’s Home, such a timid affair? Could be the slow pace early on or the lack of sustainable dramatic action throughout? The show breezes along a tad too sluggishly thus allowing the full impact of the strong presence of Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959) to get lost despite the commanding work from stage and film star Peter Weller.
I liked this subtle character sketch of the famed and controversial 20th Century Chicago based architect, Frank Lloyd Wright. We heard Wright expound on his radical ideas as he flaunted conventional ideas on architecture. With strong supporting work from Harris Yulin as Louis Sullivan, Wright’s mentor, we get a poignant glimpse into the contradictory character of the man who changed house building concepts in the early 20th Century. 300 of his 365 houses still stand today, many in Chicago and Oak Park.
This realistic look at Wright, the man, isn’t flattering as Weller captures the arrogance and vanity as well as bad temper of the impatient, controlling man.
We see his son, Lloyd (Jay Whittaker at his biting best) who both adores and hates his father for ignoring the family for years struggle to be recognized. Maggie Siff is Wright’s daughter, Catherine, who also is bitter toward Wright for his parental neglect.
Playwright Nelson slowly arrives at the simmering family angst when Wright flirts with young schoolteacher Helen Girvin (Holley Fain) while abandoning his mistress Miriam Noel (Mary Beth Fisher in a strong performance) whose drinking and drug use turns off the architect. Wright never admits his mistakes and spouts about the nature of beauty as he berates his son and all his detractors. The simmering family struggle for recognition and acknowledgment from the egotistical Wright plays out as we are exposed to his true nasty nature. Wright was a finer designer of houses than patriarch of his own family. We do get a glimpse of Wright’s character with only a hint of his design genius. Too bad since he was a complex man worth our interest.
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Frank Lloyd Wright was an amazing man who accomplished much despite his over indulgence and lavish lifestyle. His will was law, his ego large enough to fill his sprawling houses. Frank’s Home contains too few revelations despite the wordiness of the 100 + minute one act play. It sure has its moments if you can get over the slow start. With some edits and tightening, Frank’s Home will become a place of enlightenment.
Somewhat Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: December 5, 2006
Jeff Recommended
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