Vito D’Ambrosio (Photo courtesy of The Whitefire Theatre)
Reviewed by Julyza Commodore
Whitefire Theatre
Thru October 16th
RECOMMENDED
“A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams” the American stage and screen actor, John Barrymore, once noted.
Set months after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor in December, 1941, and only one month before his death in 1942, John Luce’s (mostly) solo show Barrymore is an exploration of many things, including essences of humor and heartbreak. Despite his impending death, Barrymore never gave up on his dreams, or his ambitions.
In this Whitefire Theatre production, Vito D’Ambrosio portrays an actor aiming to revive his career. He is rehearsing for a showcase where he is set to perform a selection of his most memorable roles (including those in plays by Shakespeare). His stage manager, Frank (Mitch Rosander) not only helps him run lines, but is there to encourage him when he needs it most.
D’Ambrosio’s never feels as though he is playing a character or trying to overdo an interpretation of someone who was once a living legend. His performance is both lively and truthful as he channels a ghost from the past. With direction by Bryan Rasmussen, D’Ambrosio’s use of the stage is fluid, interacting with the entire audience. (True, this is a small theater.) He does so with energy, wit, and intimacy. At times, the performance really does seem like a private conversation with someone that you’ve known for a while. This impressive performance is consistent while being dynamic. And though his pending death looms over the central character like a dangling scythe, the performance is nonetheless steeped in joy, and affirmation.
Whitefire Theatre, 13500 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks; Thurs., 8 p.m.; through Oct. 16. https://whitefire.stagey.net/projects/11490. Running time, 90 minutes with one ten minute intermission.
