Reviewed
by Judy Richter
"Ice Glen," a relatively new play by Joan Ackermann, sounds better in a written summary than it works on a stage. At least that's the conclusion from the West Coast premiere staged by Aurora Theatre Company and directed by Barbara Oliver. It takes place in 1919, mostly in a rundown mansion in the Berkshires of Massachusetts. The mansion's attractive widowed owner, Dulce Bainbridge (Lauren Grace), has fallen on hard times since the death of her husband. Although he has been dead for two years, he's mentioned so often that he's another character in the play.
Among
Dulce's three remaining employees is Sarah Harding (Zehra Berkman), her gardener, who has been
there for 10 years. Sarah also is a strong-minded, nature-loving poet who is
appalled when a neighbor, author Edith Wharton, sends three of her poems to the
Atlantic Monthly without her knowledge. Even though the respected magazine's
editor, Peter Woodburn (Marvin C. Greene), goes to the mansion himself to gain permission
to publish them, she adamantly refuses. She remains steadfast in her refusal
even when he tells her that her poems have profoundly moved him and that he
believes she is a brilliant writer. As a byproduct of his visit, however, a
love triangle is set up involving the editor, the widow and the poet.
Discreetly
observing all of this are the other two employees, Grayson, the butler (Julian
López-Morillas);
and Mrs. Roswell (Jessica Powell), the housekeeper. Both of them have worked there for
many years. Completing the household is Denby (Douglas B. Giorgis), a pubescent orphan who was
taken in by the late Mr. Bainbridge and who has below-average intelligence, to
put it politely.
Despite
John Iacovelli's
set design, which allows quick scene changes, the play tends to drag, perhaps
because it needs some judicious cutting. This is especially true in the
uninvolving first act, with its stilted dialogue. The second act is more
interesting as conflicts are set up and resolved. Another weakness of the play
is that Denby seems superfluous even though Giorgis portrays him well.
Moreover, one comes to care far more for Grayson and Mrs. Roswell than the
ostensible principals, in part because López-Morillas and Powell seem to have a
better grasp of their characters than do their colleagues.
Anna
Oliver's period
costumes, especially the smart frocks worn by Dulce, are well suited to the
characters. Jim Cave's lighting and Chris Houston's sound also complement the production, but not
enough to offset the weaknesses of the script.