The Graduate
Die Hard fans won't want to miss the West Coast Ensemble as they open their new 2009 season with a 'bang' (pardon the pun) with The Graduate. You might remember WCE's successful 'bang' (another pun using the same word, different meaning), Assassins, which was nominated for several awards. The Graduate is the story of a young man, Benjamin Braddock (played with a soft charm by Ben Campbell), who has recently graduated college. When he arrives home, his parents throw him a party, from which he hides in his room. There, he is seduced by Kelly Lloyd's sultry Mrs. Robinson, a family friend, attempting to manipulate the young graduate. Within the story, Benjamin spends the summer sleeping with the married woman before he makes the acquaintance of Mrs. Robinson's daughter, Elaine. Following the encouragement of Mr. Robinson to date his daughter, Mrs. Robinson vehemently orders Ben not to go out with Elaine.
Jim Keily is an absolute riot as Mr. Robinson, while Jerry Lloyd and Cindy Yantis add an impressive comical kick to the storyline as Benjamin's parents and the Robinsons' longtime friends. Ben Campbell and Kelly Lloyd play perfectly 'against' each other. Side Note: Many professional actors have a secret about their character that they hide from everyone. Lloyd plays this role with such complexity that perhaps her secret was that Elaine is Ben's half sister, creating the ultimate revenge, allowing them to stay banished, together. (Although I'm most likely reading way too much into her fancy performance, this possibility will make sense when you see the production.)
Jules Aaron's direction is pure poetry, bestowing a lucid reason for each moment. Aaron's cast is splendid with the exception of a single amateur, who is easily forgiven due to exceptional talent surrounding her. Whoever is responsible for choosing the music for each of the blackouts should get credit for a job well done. On the other hand, on several occasions, certain performers break character a split moment earlier than the lights fade completely. Stage Manager, Erin Bedinger, rapidly exchanges Stephen Gifford's accurately detailed locations into several different styles, allowing the runtime to quicken itself. Shon LeBlanc, of course, busy with several other shows in town, has tastefully dressed the actors in the ideal period style.
Adapted by Terry Johnson
Based on the novel by Charles Webb
and the motion picture screenplay by
Calder Willingham and Buck Henry
Directed by Jules Aaron
Starring: Ben Campbell, Michelle Exarhos, Jim Keily, Chris Muto, Jerry Lloyd, Kelly Lloyd, Sara J. Stuckey, Bill Tigue, and Cindy Yantis
On a grading scale: A-
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Theater: West Coast Ensemble Theater Company
Web Site: http://www.wcensemble.org/
Tickets: 323.906.2500
Dates: Open February 13, 2009