Visionary Fathers
Theater
The
Richard Greenberg drama has met with considerable acclaim since its
California debut in the ’90s. The first act, set in 1995, features two
sons and one daughter of a visionary pair of architects meeting to
discuss the mysteries behind their parents’ inheritance. The second
act, set three and a half decades earlier, features the two architects
at a crucial point in their working relationship that sheds light on
their legacy.
The
contemporary end of the play is remarkably compelling theater. Jeremy
Welter cunningly plays Walker—the existentially tormented son of one of
the most influential architects of his time. Angela Beyer brings an
intelligent compassion to the stage in the role of Walker’s sister,
Nan. She has been trying to track her brother down for quite some time.
He periodically disappears for years on end, only occasionally
resurfacing to say hello. Brother and sister are soon joined by Pip,
the TV actor son of their father’s partner in architecture, played by
Robert W.C. Kennedy. Judging from the script, the role was written for
someone with a squarejawed GQ-model sort of look about him. Not being
cursed with such vacant handsomeness, Kennedy does a clever job of
steering the character in a more interesting direction.
The
dynamic between Kennedy, Welter and Beyer is both compelling and
believable. The story leading in to intermission is intricately
engrossing on many levels. The dialogue is smart, concise and feels
exceedingly natural. The characters are three very interesting people.
The mysteries of their parents make the characters’ reality that much
more interesting.
The
problem with this comes after intermission. The second act endeavors to
reveal the truth behind the mystery of these two architects. It does it
so completely that it ceases to be interesting. While the dramatic
cause and effect that forges identity is remarkably well crafted, it’s
a bit dull seeing it all play out in the end. In the second act,
Greenberg seems to be simply finishing the equation he started in the
first act. Some mysteries are better left as mysteries. That being
said, the play is well worth seeing for its first act. Don’t expect
much after intermission, though.



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