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The Price
By Arthur Miller
Directed by Todd Schmidt
Produced by Shattered Globe Theatre
At Victory Gardens Greenhouse Theatre
2257 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL
Call 773-871-3000, tickets $27- $30 - $37
Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 pm
Sundays at 3 pm
Running time is 1 hour, 50 minutes with intermission
Through March 3, 2007
Vintage Arthur Miller drama triumphs with eloquent performances
Shattered Globe Theatre, one of the best Equity theatre companies in Chicago, continues their fabulous year with Arthur Miller’s 1969 excellent tragic-comedy, The Price. This relatively unheralded gem is another powerful Miller family drama about the shattered American dream and the effects of economic woes on family dynamics. Director Todd Schmidt (Executive Producer of Wisconsin’s Peninsula Players) has mounted an emotionally charged work that hooks us and keeps unraveling the story of two brother’s estrangement as their former home’s furnishings are liquated before the home is destroyed.
Victor (Doug McDade) is a 28 year veteran policeman charged with selling his deceased parents furniture. His wife Ester (Linda Reiter) loves Victor but she wants him to retire from the police and start making enough money for them to enjoy the good life. Set in 1969 in the attic of their Manhattan home (terrific set design by Kevin Hagan), Victor encounters the used furniture appraiser, Gregory Solomon (the feisty Maury Cooper), an 89 year old Russian Jew, veteran of the British navy and six countries. The two debate the importance and viability of the antique furnishings in the attic. Solomon is a true delight giving perspective, depth to the value of a family’s furnishings and personal integrity.
We learn that Victor abandoned his studies in science to support his father who lost his massive wealth in the Market Crash of 1929. Victor took up police work as a temporary job but now has 28 years vested. His brother, Walter (Don Blair in a strong performance) left the family to fulfill his dream to be a surgeon. He made a fortune but lost his wife and the companionship of his brother Victor. After 16 years, Walter, now a changed man, arrives to attempt to rekindle a relationship with Victor. The play moves through all the buried resentments from Victor’s perspective first, then Walter’s. We also see how Esther’s angst strains her marriage.
The title,The Price, has a dual meaning -- on the surface the price is the amount haggled over and agreed upon for the apartment's furnishings. The price is also a part of life. Whatever you do, whatever trade-offs you make in life, there is always a "price" that you’ll pay. Victor sacrificed a promising career in science to support his father. Walter, realizing that the father is more selfish than needy, went his own way and later, wanting his brother to speak to the illusion of the father's neediness, refused Victor's plea for a modest loan of $500-- causing the final rift in an already fragile relationship.
The roads taken by each brother caused bitter resentment and their attempt at reconciliation marvelously structured by Miller as he gives powerful arguments for each character’s point of view. Is Victor a martyr or did he knowingly play it safe with his life choices? Is Walter sincere in his attempt to rekindle a relationship with Victor? Is it too late for Victor to forgive Walter? Is the price too high, too painful and too late?
For Solomon, the antiques are his final chance to be a player in the antique game. He is rejuvenated for a small price. Victor just wants to be rid of all the symbols of an unhappy past. Miller’s play is a wonderful look at estrangement and the pain of rekindling the past. We do pay ‘the price’ for each life choice we make. Miller skillfully balances any sympathy we might have equally between Victor and Walter. But Solomon emerges as getting the best price for his desires.
The Price is one of the finest acted plays seen on a Chicago stage in recent memory. Maury Cooper is wonder to be hold; Linda Reiter does much with a facial expression while Doug McDade is so empathetic, we cheer for him. Don Blair has a commanding presence that is intimidating. The result is a troupe that delivers Arthur Miller’s powerful work with intelligence and respect.
Highly Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: January 14, 2007
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