Theater Review: 'Babylon' Performers Deserved More
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Published: September 23, 2008
ST. PETERSBURG - It's unclear why American Stage Theatre Co. chose "By the Waters of Babylon" to open its 30th anniversary season. The professional theater company has reached a milestone in longevity and looks forward to a new home in 2009. Surely it deserves better than Robert Schenkkan's trite drama about a Cuban-dissident-turned-gardener and a kooky Texas widow.
Catherine (Julie Rowe) hires Arturo (Chaz Mena) to tidy the unkempt garden in her Austin backyard. While he putters, she prattles about her recently dead husband for whom no love is lost and the nosy neighbors who have shunned her. Catherine poses as a liberal-minded free spirit, cynical about most people but open to anyone who might surprise her.
And Arturo does. A few mojitos after work loosens his tongue about who he really is and why he left Cuba. Beneath the dirty fingernails and sweat-stained clothes lies a passionate, well-educated writer whose dreams faded when El Jefe's government prohibited publication of his novel. He thumbed his nose at the communist regime, embarked on a tragic boat ride to Miami and migrated to Austin, where he now rakes instead of writes.
Not surprisingly, Catherine and Arturo bond over their sad-sack stories. What seems like the beginning of a beautiful friendship - and a generally entertaining production - turns ugly and then just plain bizarre when Catherine reveals the depth of her instability. Her breakdown fires Arturo's creativity and he evokes an imaginary trip to the sea that is intended to calm her. (Arturo believes that saltwater is a cure-all.)
All apologies to Mena, Rowe and director Drew Fracher, but this production falls below the excellent standard American Stage has set for itself. It's hard to believe that Schenkkan is a Pulitzer Prize winner (for "The Kentucky Cycle"). His story and characters here are for the most part predictable.
The hired man/lonely woman scenario is as old as the hills and remains so regardless of distracting weird moments and overarching monologues; these only feign originality.
Though witty and attractive in the role, Mena seemed to expend more energy willing his character to be better written.
How often do we see the shamed but fiery immigrant whose talents are wasted or go unnoticed? It's too bad Mena's talents were wasted here.
Rowe, too, might have appeared more convincing in a higher quality role and wig. She's too good an actor to limit herself to a sloppily penned Harlequin romance.
,h3>On Stage
'BY THE WATERS OF BABYLON'
WHEN: Through Oct. 12; 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
WHERE: American Stage, 211 Third St. S., St. Petersburg; (727) 823-7529; www.americanstage.org
HOW MUCH: $24 to $39, depending on date and time of performance
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