Gamm Theatre's closing show of their 2006-07
season is the world premiere of "Radio Free Emerson" by Paul Grellong,
originally commissioned and produced by Gamm Theatre. Grellong, a Brown
University graduate who is a writer for the hit TV series 'Law and Order:
Special Victims Unit", was inspired by Henrik Ibsen's "The Wild Duck", sets
the show in Rhode Island in 1999. It is a raw, complex and very humorous
examination of the naked truth and its consequences. A young man returns to
Rhode Island to take the reins of his family's radio station following a
solitary stint in Maine. Armed with his rising star power as a talk show
host and a dubious understanding of American transcendentalist philosophy,
he dispenses self-serving self-help over the airwaves to the lovelorn,
depressed and needy of his home state; and, in the process. cunningly
exposes secrets and lies within his own family. While not a strict
adaptation of "Wild Duck", "Radio Free Emerson" follows several plot points.
Al Gregory returns to RI following a stint on a fishing boat in Maine for
the funeral of his estranged father, Edward Gregory. Edward, owner of the
radio station, WRIT, was a much-loved radio personality, know for his brand
of folksy wisdom. Al discovers that during his absence, Edward mediated a
marriage between family friend Henry Dale and Gina, a woman Al desperately
covets. Moreover, Al learns that his father generously ( and with dubious
motives) established Henry in the construction business. Al takes over the
radio show while blackmailing Gina for a past indiscretion. He seduces his
listeners with interpretations of Ralph Waldo Emerson's writings on
self-reliance, truth and idealism. But what is truth without self-analysis
or self-awareness? Al's idea of "truth'' translates into easy, instant,
sexual gratification, choosing the truth that appeals to their vanity, to
their versions of self. Paul delivers a well constructed and thought out
play with many one liners amid some poignant ones along the way. The talk
radio segments contain some of the most hilarious lines in the play. Peter
Sampieri, the director chooses the best performers to fill these roles and
this original show is rewarded with a standing ovation at the close of the
night.
The show takes place in a house, radio station, an apartment, a bar
and a construction site. Peter blocks the show beautifully so everyone in
the theatre especially on the two sides, can see the actors at all
times. His stage crew moves the set pieces on and off the stage with ease,
keeping the action flowing smoothly from one scene to another. Steve Kidd is
fabulous as Henry Dale. His one liners are perfect as are the poignant
scenes where he breaks down in tears and in the final confrontation scene
with his wife. Henry has been used by Edward as a dupe and Al continues to
misuse his supposed friendship with him to take Henry's wife and business
away from him. His radio producer wife, Gina, is wonderfully played by Tanya
Anderson. She comes off as a hard ass when Henry tells her about an affair
that he is having, only to learn he is describing a dream. Her character
softens towards him as the show goes on with the best one being the final
confrontation scene and whether it will lead to a reconciliation or not.
Tony Estrella is dynamite as Al Gregory, the conniving bastard who sets out
to ruin Henry and Gina's lives by revealing hidden secrets about them. He
charms the radio audience with his platitudes and interpretation of Emerson
which leads to a eventual tragedy. An earlier tragedy is what made Al leave
RI many years before. Tony oozes a smarmy captivating air that pulls his
victims into Al's web of deceit. A big boo and hiss for his playing this
villainous role perfectly.
His bitchy, heavy drinking mother, Marilyn is played splendidly by
Alyn Carlson. Her first entrance is during the funeral scene where she makes
some ethnic slurs and she insists on selling the radio station. Al's
supposed memorial show dedicated to his father brings in big ratings and her
hopes are dashed. Alyn's character is redeemed in Act 2 when she comforts
Henry and tells him not to trust Al while revealing why he left RI in a
hurry. Another hard ass character, Dr. James Bentham is wonderfully played
by Richard Donelly. He runs roughshod over Henry's continually delaying the
construction on his house in Charlestown and hooks up with Marilyn to gain
an interest in the radio station. The radio engineer, Fred is beautifully
played by Tom Gleadow. Fred is one of the nicest people in the play and
Tom's reactions to all the wildness around him are right on the money.
Rounding out the cast are two URI students, Josh Short and Amanda Ruggiero
who play a young engaged couple, Chris and Carrie. They come upon Henry and
Gina's final confrontation scene and lighten it up by their youthful
exuberance and loving behavior. (Karen Carpenter who has appeared in several
shows at Gamm, does some hilarious voiceovers including a depressed woman
and a happy woman who sounds sorrowful like Bea Arthur as Maude.) So for an
exciting new look at an original script which takes place in RI, be sure to
catch "Radio Free Emerson". You will enjoy many laughs while watching a
talented cast perform a topnotch script. Tell them Tony sent you.
RADIO FREE EMERSON ( 17 May to 17 June, 2007)
GAMM Theatre, 172 Exchange Street, Pawtucket, RI
