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A Bench in the Sun
By Ron Clark
Directed by Ray Frewen
At Apple Tree
1850 Green Bay Road
Highland Park, IL
Call 847-432-4335, tickets $38 - $48
Friday, June 13 at 8 pm
Saturday, June 14 at 5 & 8:30 pm
Sunday, June 15 at 2 & 6 pm
Wednesday, June 18 at 7:30 pm
Thursdays, June 19 at 7:30 pm
Friday, June 20 at 8 pm
Saturday, June 21 at 5 & 8:30 pm
Sunday, June 22 at 2 pm
Wednesday, June 25 at 7:30 pm
Friday, June 27 at 8 pm
Saturday, June 28 at 5 & 8:30 pm
Sunday, June 29 at 2 & 6 pm
Running time is 1 hour, 50 minutes with intermission
Through June 29, 2008
Sweet senior comedy awaits
Apple Tree Theatre ends its 25th Season with Ron Clark’s sweet senior comedy, “A Bench in the Sun.” This is a nice vehicle for three veteran actors—Dennis Kelly, Bob Scogin and Ami Silvestre. “A Bench in the Sun” is a friendship comedy of manners set in a retirement home. Harold is the upbeat, well dressed senior in love with life. He enjoys the leisure of retirement. His old friend, Burt is a mad-at-the-world, negative person who seems to be existing rather than living. He never changes from his pajamas. The two seniors spend their days on the bench in the sun bickering and philosophizing about life, their past and the boredom of retirement living. Each day is the same until the arrival of former film star Adrienne (Ami Silvestre).
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Adrienne is a most positive, sparkling person who smiles at life and possesses an aura of sensuality that rekindles the old men’s libido. Harold instantly falls in love with her—after all—he did have three marriages. But Adrienne seems to fancy Burt—maybe because she sees him as more needy of female companionship.
This slow moving, yet charming work, is a shallow cliché ridden drama filled with tasteless old folk’s jokes. The seniors I know are quite active and positive—in Clark’s play they come off as bored, apathetic souls with nothing to do. Not much happens here. Dennis Kelly, Bob Scogin and Ami Silvestre try hard to give this weak play some humanity. The play becomes predictable as it resolves the tension between Harold and Burt unsatisfactorily. I wonder who would enjoy this play? Not the fun-loving seniors I know not the youngsters I come across “A Bench in the Sun” is a showcase for the veteran actors.
Somewhat Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: June 11, 2008
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