Review: Mr. Shaw Goes to Hollywood (MadKap Productions)

  
  
Mr. Shaw Goes 
   to Hollywood

Written by Mark Saltzman
Directed by John Nasca
at Greenhouse Theater, 2257 N. Lincoln (map)
thru Feb 16  |  tickets: $20-$35   |  more info
  
Check for half-price tickets  
  
   Read review 

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Fascinating Hollywood story handicapped by clunky pacing

MadKap Productions presents

Mr. Shaw Goes to Hollywood

Review by Katy Walsh 

Once upon a time, celebrated Playwright George Bernard Shaw visited Hollywood.  GBS and his wife Charlotte wanted to see how movies were made.  They toured and lunched at MGM studios.  Amidst the glamour of the world of moviestars, they saw the tarnished side of filmmaking.  The Shaws saw actors canoodling and boozing. They experienced studio heads and media tycoons pushing their personal agenda.  At the historic luncheon, everybody was vying for a piece of Shaw.  And GBS wasn’t having it.  

Playwright Mark Saltzman uncovered a fascinating, untold Hollywood story.  Saltzman re-imagines the behind-the-scenes shenanigans as actors and producers fought for a Shaw script.  The grand Anita Kallen (Charlotte Shaw) narrates the notorious event.  Kallen  engages the audience with her delightful style of storytelling.  Saltzman uses the character to effectively provide additional information about the time period.  Kallen perfectly contrasts with the pompous William Chamberlain (GBS).  The confident Chamberlain holds court as the famous writer.  An impromptu audition to Chamberlain by houseboy Jonathan Helvey showcases the thrill of an aspiring actor captivating a seasoned pro.

The actors‘ portrayals of actors – Catherine Hermes (Marion Davies), David Belew (John Barrymore), Rob Ibanez (Clark Gable) – is a glimpse into the past.  They each display the vulnerability and uncertainty of life as dictated by studios.  Mr. Shaw Goes to Hollywood is a clever attempt to bridge the gap between stage and film.  A playwright being wooed to become a screenwriter is not only a creative angle, it’s a true story. 

Saltzman writes his play with multiple short scenes.  The mechanics seem better served for film than a play.   Director John Nasca has difficulty transitioning smoothly and quickly from scene to scene.  The pacing gets clunky.  Saltzman should collapse scenes together for a more seamless story. With some tightening, Mr. Shaw Goes to Hollywood could become a classic depiction of a classic moment. 

Rating: ★★½

Mr. Shaw Goes to Hollywood continues through February 16th at Greenhouse Theater, 2257 N. Lincoln (map), with performances Thursdays-Saturdays at 7:30pm, Sundays 2:30pm.  Tickets are $20-$35, and are available by phone (773-404-7336) or online through Tix.com (check for half-price tickets at Goldstar.com). More information at MadKapProductions.com.  (Running time: play length, includes an intermission)

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artists

cast

William Chamberlain (George Bernard Shaw), Rob Ibanez (Clark Gable), Catherine Hermes (Marion Davies), David Belew (John Barrymore), Michael D. Graham (Louis B. Mayer), Tom Cassidy (William Randolph Hearst), Anita Kallen (Charlotte Townsend Shaw), Jonathan Helvey (Oscar, others).

behind the scenes

John Nasca (director, costume design), Robert D. Estrin (set design), Scott Pillsburry (lighting design), Bob Boxer (sound design), Wendy Kaplan, Wayne Mell (producers).

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