Download On Borrowed Time: Delightful Revival of a Classic American Play

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On Borrowed Time: Delightful Revival
of a Classic American Play
Paul Osborn’s 1938 fantasy comedy-drama On Borrowed
Time has quite nicely withstood the test of time. As
performed on stage at the Two River Theatre Company in
an expansive new production directed by Joel Grey, it
remains a totally charming and deeply moving play which
explores the human condition with rare intelligence.
The pay is set in a bucolic American small town before
World War I in the home of an elderly couple, Julian
Northrup (Gramps) and his wife Nellie (Granny). Here, the
amusingly cantankerous, colorfully outspoken, and nature
loving Gramps maintains a close, warm relationship with
his very young grandson, who is only addressed by his
nickname, Pud. Hovering around is Pud's disapproving
Aunt Demetria, who is cruel, judgmental and rigidly
moral. She wants to separate Pud from his Gramps and
Gramps’ influence. Gramps refers to Demetria as a
“pismire.”
Pud’s parents are both killed in an automobile accident,
Tom Nelis, Oakes Fegley and Robert
and, shortly after their funeral, the weary Granny
Hogan
succumbs herself. Death in the form of the Fedora-wearing
Mr. Brink arrives to take her away. Just a week later, Gramps’ time and strength run out, and Mr.
Brink again appears. However, Gramps knows that with him gone Pud will be adopted by
Demetria (who has her eye on his inheritance from Pud’s parents) and he is determined to keep
Pud from her.
Miraculously, Gramps’ wish that anyone who climbed his apple tree not be able to climb back
down until he chose to let him, has come true. So Gramps lures Mr. Brink into climbing the tree,
and then refuses to let him down. As a result, no one can die until Julian allows him to do so.
Even when confronted with the pain and misery which people in extremis are suffering, Gramps,
determined to remain with his grandson, will not relent.
After Joel Grey and George C . Wolfe co-directed the 2011 Broadway revival of Larry Kramer’s
The Normal Heart, Grey mentioned to Two River Artistic Director John Dias that he wanted to
direct a production of On Borrowed Time. This set into motion the process which resulted in the
current production. At the age of nine, Joel Grey (then Joel David Katz) portrayed Pud in a
seminal regional production at (his hometown) Cleveland Play House, kindling his love for
theatre (that production featured Dudley Digges, who originated the role of Gramps on
Broadway).
And how fortunate are we to have a production of On Borrowed Time directed by one who is
perfectly attuned to its heartbeat and nuances. As beautiful as the play is, and as well received as
it was in 1938, it is unfashionably sentimental and comforting. It is also a delicate and complex,
multifaceted one that could crumble under the weight of any interpretation which is not fully in
synch with its tone and rhythm. Grey seamlessly blends the plays various strains in order to
maximize its charm, humor, pathos and wisdom.
Robert Hogan never allows us to see the hard work that goes into conveying the warmth and
humanity of the sharp elbowed Gramps. Hogan and his director make certain that we see Gramps
through the eyes of Pud, and that is exactly as it should be. Diane Kagan is a Granny whose
sense of propriety makes her susceptible to Demetria’s blandishments. In tandem with Angela
Reed’s Demetria, Kagan’s Granny allows us to see and feel how the unrelenting Demetria saps
Granny's last remaining strength from her. Oakes Fegley is an unaffected Pud. Tom Nelis
effectively distances himself from us as Mr. Brink. The key to his performance is his display of
an uneasy suppression of all emotion.
Steven Skybell, Patrick Husted, Brian Michael Hoffman, John Thomas Waite and Betsy Hogg
make strong contributions in important supporting roles.
Michael Carnahan has designed an eminently playable and impressively large set (after all, it
features a full sized, floor to ceiling, apple tree which I would estimate to be close to 40 foot tall,
with branches extending at least as widely). The set appears to be based on the set design
employed for the 1941 Cleveland Play House production (The standard script for the play is
based on the prompt script for that production which allowed for a single set and eliminated
“several curtains and all waits between scenes; thus giving the play (improved) flow and
tempo ...”.Ann Hould-Ward’s attractive costumes display a bit of flourish which suggests the
touch of the formal in the clothes that rural folks would have worn in the late Edwardian era.
Even if, as I did myself, you have trepidations about seeing an old-fashioned, 1938 fantasy which
centers on the treeing of Death by an elderly man determined not to die, I suggest that you give
On Borrowed Time a try. It is beautifully written and extremely charming. It features several
clever and satisfying plot twists which will take by surprise all those not already familiar with
them. These include On Borrowed Time’s emotionally satisfying and moving resolution. I
suspect that only a true pismire will be able to resist this one. If you don’t know what a pismire is
(as I didn't), you can either look it up or, better yet, see On Borrowed Time and learn what it is
from Gramps.
On Borrowed Time continues performances (Evenings: Wednesday 7 PM / Thursday, Friday &
Saturday 8 PM/ Matinees: Wednesday 1 PM/ Saturday & Sunday 3 PM) through October 13,
2013, at the Two River Theatre Company, Joan and Robert Rechnitz Theatre, 21 Bridge Ave.,
Red Bank 07701; Box Office: 732-345-1400 / online: www.trtc.org.
On Borrowed Time by Paul Osborn; directed by Joel Grey
Cast:
Pud……………………………………Oakes Fegley
Julian Northrup (Gramps)……….Robert Hogan
Nellie (Granny)………………………Diane Kagan
Betty………………………………………..Snickers
Mr. Brink…………………………………Tom Nelis
Marcia Giles…………………………..Betsy Hogg
A Boy……………………………………Alex Garfin
Demetria Riffle……………………...Angela Reed
Workman……………………..Lorenzo Villanueva
Workman………………………………Brian Gildea
Dr. Evans…………………………...Steven Skybell
Mr. Pilbeam………………………..Patrick Husted
Mr. Grimes……………….Brian Michael Hoffman
Sheriff…………………………John Thomas Waite
Photo: T. Charles Erickson
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- Bob Rendell