Displaying items by tag: Isabelle Roberts
‘Over the Tavern’ packs a punch in its return to TATC
Theatre at the Center brings back ‘Over the Tavern’ fourteen years after the 1950’s comedy brought audiences to their feet. Finely directed by Ericka Mac, ‘Over the Tavern’ is set in 1959 and is a comedy centered around the Pazinski family. Devout Catholics, young Rudy (Logan Baffico) is a precocious twelve-year-old who spends much time in detention where he repeatedly challenges the teachings of Sister Clarissa (Janet Ulrich Brooks). Rudy is not trying to be confrontational or funny, he is genuine when asking why he shouldn’t shop around for a more fun religion. Of course, Sister Clarissa and her ruler doesn’t see it that way and finds Rudy to be a troublesome kid with attitude.
We often get to experience Rudy under the Sister’s guidance and the banter between the two is quite riveting, and humorous, at times, though it is in the home amongst his family that we really get an inside look at Rudy. Rudy’s father, Chet (Eric Slater), is tough, no-nonsense and, though he can show his temper on occasions, can also be warm and loving. He runs the bar below the family’s upstairs apartment and sometimes forgets to pick up dinner from the nearby Italian restaurant, much to the irritation of his patient and sensible wife Ellen (Corey Goodrich). Eddie (Seth Steinberg) is the older brother and is exactly that, the conventional older brother. He may tease his younger siblings but will also protect them without a second thought. Isabelle Roberts plays Annie, the middle child.
The play does a great job of creating a late 1950’s setting and gives us a stereotypical Catholic family of that time period – the stay at home mother, the breadwinning, hardworking, middle-class father and their three children who find safety with their mom while distant and fearful of their dad. The play also hits home for many of us that attended Christian or Catholic schools when it was okay, and even expected, for faculty to physical punish heir students.
Tom Dudzick’s semi-autobiographical play not only has a strong script, but Theatre at the Center gives this production some extra oomph by putting forth an all-around excellent cast.
Janet Ulrich Brooks is nothing short of sensational as hard-nosed Sister Clarissa and is enjoyable to watch in each of her scenes. Logan Baffico makes a fine impression in his TATC debut as Rudy as does Eric Slater as Chet. Both steals scenes at moments and are thoroughly engaging. Most who follow this terrific theatre in Musnster, Indiana are already aware of Corey Goodrich’s talents, and she delivers once again in this, her 14th Theatre of the Center production. It is always a pleasure watching such talent grace the stage.
Loaded with laughs and touching moments and a few life lessons, ‘Over the Tavern’ is just as fresh and relevant today as it always has been. Kudos to such a gifted cast, the show’s flawless direction and a set that takes us back to middle-America 1959.
Recommended.
‘Over the Tavern’ is being performed at Theatre at the Center through August 11th. For more information, visit www.TheatreAtTheCenter.com.
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