Falling Upward
Award-winning playwright Ray Bradbury’s Falling Upward has been performed in several Los Angeles theatres over the past ten years. But the production now playing at the El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood has been re-imagined by its current director Tim Byron Owen with Bradbury’s approval.
Fifty years ago Bradbury spent nine months in Ireland working on the screenplay for Moby Dick. He spent many nights at the local pub to learn about the habits and culture of the locals. Falling Upward relates the stories of the characters he met, the regulars at Heeber Finn’s pub in Kilcock, County Kildare, in the 1950’s.
Truthfully, the play is about nothing, but the gentlemen sitting around Heeber Finn’s Pub singing Irish songs and telling stories is charming and a plot is not missed. The audience becomes involved as Garrity (Pat Harrington) speaks directly to the viewers stating that “we are in a place where anything can happen, and it always does.” But nothing of consequence really ever does happen. It is just good fun because the actors are so at home in their characterizations, there is humor in the production and it is just plain good entertainment.
Bigger than life Mik Scriba, as Heeber Finn, is the ideal Irish bartender, Harrington the ultimate audience confidante. Walter Beery as Father Liam Leery who frequents the bar for a “wee nip” now and then adds more than a “wee” bit of humor. It’s a perfect cast, it is, each one very realistic with their perfect Irish brogues, their singing of Irish folk tunes (which we get more of in this production) and even a wee bit of an Irish jig now and then. Heeber’s Pub is definitely a place for camaraderie (no women allowed!).
In the second act, the village is visited by a group of men who appear completely out-of place. When they arrive at Heeber’s Pub, the Irish, finding them “different,” do not make them welcome. They leave, but eventually return, and this time they discover that they have much in common and the strangers are warmly received. When the time comes that the strangers must leave, they are bid a fond farewell. (This may have been Bradbury’s lesson to be learned.) Runs through April 5, 2009.
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Theater: El Portal Theatre, 5269 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood
Web Site: http://www.raybradburysfallingupward.com
Tickets: 866-811-4111
Dates: Through April 5, 2009.