By William Wolf

THE STONE WITCH  Send This Review to a Friend

Good performances trump the overwrought play “The Stone Witch,” written by Shem Bitterman and directed by Steve Zuckerman. The basic situation is not particularly credible, but the author has created characters who give the three-member cast a field day for attention-getting dramatics.

Carolyn McCormick plays manipulative publisher Clair Forlorni, and I especially enjoyed watching her in light of knowing her especially for her performances on TV’s “Law and Order.” It is always enjoyable to see what that show’s stars can do in different contexts. Here the attractive McCormick does an excellent job embodying an editor with determination to achieve her goal of the moment.

Forlorni’s aim is to get Simon Grindberg, a renowned author and illustrator of children’s books to overcome 12 years of writer’s block and produce a new work again. When she interviews an aspiring young writer, Peter Chandler, she concocts a scheme to get Chandler to work with Grindberg at his isolated cabin deep in the woods in hope that will help get him out of the doldrums.

A section of the play depicts the antagonism Grindberg has for the newcomer, an antagonism we know will eventually turn into respect. Rupak Ginn as Chandler is earnest and modest but frequently exasperated. Dan Lauria as Grindberg acts up a ferocious, over-the-top storm as he embodies the character of a thwarted genius, raging at life, envying Chandler’s talent and frustrated at his own lack of productivity.

Despite the acting, this all seems a bit ridiculous. I don’t want to underestimate the expertise needed in writing and illustrating books for children, but after all, this is not a creator of a “War and Peace” about whom the play is talking. All of the great man stuff seems absurdly inflated, although Lauria rants and rages effectively as the character.

The publisher achieves what she wants in the end, but not in the way that was expected. I left admiring the cast trio but feeling less so about Bitterman’s tempestuous play. At the Westside Theatre—Upstairs, 407 West 43rd Street. Phone: 212-239-6200. Reviewed March 27, 2018.

  

[Film] [Theater] [Cabaret] [About Town] [Wolf]
[Special Reports] [Travel] [HOME]