Vibrant WW2 Romantic Comedy at the MRT Still Timely
Photos by Megan Moore.The Voice of the Turtle by John Van Druten
Merrimack Repertory Theatre
merrimackrep.org
Directed by Carl Forsman
Through January 29, 2012
Without a doubt, Voice of the Turtle tops my list of favorites at the MRT. John Van Druten’s script, originally opened in 1943 is as true and heartwarming today as it was then when it was a Broadway hit. The play is a straight-shooting romantic comedy with characters that are so true that you feel like you know them… so much that the jokes were a laugh at myself as much as the characters. Could the playwright have known me before I was born? There is something comforting and even normalizing in finding bits of yourself in a story and the script had lots of genuine laughs.
The story of Bill (William Connell), an officer on leave who winds up staying in Sally (Hanley Smith), a young actresses’s apartment when he is ditched by Olive (Megan Byrne), their mutual friend and foil. Sally struggles with her guilt over her sexuality, while Olive, struggles to be good.
The characters are both totally believable and charming. Originally defended, their personalities delight as they become vulnerable.
The set is one of the MRT’s best: A well-appointed 1940′s NYC flat with three rooms that includes a sunken living room and a working sink and refrigerator in the kitchen. Evidently, this was the first play on Broadway to have a sink with working plumbing.
The play is heartwarming and universal. Don’t miss it.
Category: Reviews
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About the Author (Author Profile)
After working as a graphic designer, an art teacher, and then designing and producing her own line of outerwear for the boutique market, Chava Hudson became smitten with the Internet. In 1998, she studied web design and since then has created sites for the Universities and non-profits, but mostly designs websites and graphics for small businesses, artists and writers. She brings a unique solution to each project and to each client, discovering each client’s needs and communicating their message visually.
As an artist, Chava produces limited edition prints which are currently in private and corporate collections and has taught graphic design digital painting at Endicott College in Beverly, MA. She’s completed four novels, many short stories, and publishes Zingology.com.
In 2009 she began producing and hosting a local cable show for BevCam entitled
Out and About, featuring artists featured on Zingology.
