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Lillian
By William Luce
Directed by Louis Contey
At Timeline Theatre
615 W. Wellington Ave
Chicago, IL
Call 773-281-8463, tickets $10
Sundays & Mondays at 7 PM
Running time is 1 hour, 40 minutes with intermission
Through December 11, 2006
Janet Ulrich Brooks captures Lillian brilliantly
Since Timeline Theatre has a marvelous production of The Children’s Hour going, why not do a one woman show about the controversial playwright of that work, Lillian Hellman (1905-1984)? Janet Ulrich Brooks captures the essence, the defiance and the strength of the famous playwright. Brooks has audiences eating out of her hand as she seems to be speaking directly at us making us believe that we are the total focus of her conversation. It is a pleasure to witness such a skillful performance.
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It is January 10, 1961 in the waiting room of a New York city hospital. Lillian is waiting for her lover of 30 years, novalist Dashiell Hammett, to recover from a comma. Her fears for him get her to reminisce about her life. Lillian pours her heart out to us through Janet Ulrich Brooks. We hear Lillian talk of her early years growing up in New Orleans half the year and the other half in New York City. These early insights reveal much that will influence Hellman’s writing. Her love for the Black housekeeper influenced her and helped instill the anger that fueled her personality throughout her life. We hear antidotes from her family days including her running away at age 14 only to be rescued by her father and her housekeeper. She refers often to her love/hate and love relationship with Hammett as well as her and his drinking problems. She tells all.
Brooks’ persona filled the stage with a striking figure of a woman who evokes confidence, defiance and anger. One who is venerable to men, especially Dashiell Hammett. Lillian valued honesty above all virtues. She was loyal to her friends and outspoken to a fault. She bravely defined Joe McCarthy and his witch-hunting Congressional Committee. Brooks’ expressions, vocal tones and body language exuded Hellman’s character in a riveting performance that offers a fine, unanced portrait of the famous playwright. This is a strong, measured performance that Janet Ulrich Brooks should be proud of---she is a marvel. Come see this show soon. At $10 at ticket, Lillian is a bargain. This gem will enchant you as you meet the famous writer up close and intimate.
Highly Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: November 13, 2006
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