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Waiting for Lefty
By Clifford Odets
Produced by BackStage Theatre Company
At The Viaduct Theatre Studio
3111 N. Western Ave.
Chicago, IL
Tickets: 312-683-5347 or www.backstagetheatrecompany.org $20
Thur-Fri at 8:00 p.m., Sat at 5:30 p.m.& 8:00 pm, Sun at 7:00 p.m.
Running time is 45 minutes with no intermission
Through November 3rd
A Great Ensemble Brings Lefty to Life
The ensemble that director Jason Kae has brought together for BackStage Theatre Company’s production of Clifford Odets’ Waiting for Lefty is as strong a group of actors as you will find anywhere in town at the moment. They work this show for everything that it’s worth and the result is a high energy build to a soaring climax. When the play premiered in New York during the depression, the audience went wild at the end. Chicago audiences are finding out why.
Waiting for Lefty centers around a depression-era New York City taxi drivers’ union hall as the membership prepares to consider whether or not to go on strike. The young members of the committee passionately relate their individual sagas in support of the strike while their corrupt union boss (Doug Frank) tries to steer the members toward a different decision. All is in limbo as they await the arrival and opinion of a popular and respected member. There is a solid ensemble feel – not to mention some surprising voices - among the members as they rally the hall with union organizing songs. Rebeckah Ward-Hays is a standout among an excellent cast as Edna, the wife of a young driver (Andy Baldeschwiler) who urges him to strike because of living conditions so desperate that they are affecting her children’s health. Her pleading and goading of husband Joe raise the level of anger in the play to an emotional scream early on that becomes the starting point for the union hall’s angry crescendo toward its dramatic finale. Frank is perfect as union boss Harry Fatt.
There is nothing elaborate in this production, merely a few authentically reproduced union posters and a handful of furniture and props conveniently and unobtrusively moved in and out by the actors themselves. Odets wrote for actors and actors are what BackStage delivers. The subtle lighting turns the small, black studio space into the union hall. The action is so up-close and the tension so palpable that one might feel guilty having such a comfortable seat in such an uncomfortable place, more so if one allows the mind to contemplate the yet contemporary issues these ordinary heroes confront. Waiting for Lefty is my kind of show: a relevant and meaningful script, tremendous acting and a wonderful little space.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Randy Hardwick
randyontheglobe@yahoo.com for comments
Date Reviewed: October 20, 2007
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