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Franz Altman (Michael Laskin) tells his life story to a PEOPLE Magazine reporter in "Altman's Last Stand." (Photo by Ellen Giamportone)
Franz Altman (Michael Laskin) tells his life story to a PEOPLE Magazine reporter in “Altman’s Last Stand.” (Photo by Ellen Giamportone)

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Altman’s Last Stand

 

Reviewed by Neal Weaver

Zephyr Theatre

Through March 13

 

RECOMMENDED

 

Franz Altman (Michael Laskin), the protagonist of playwright Charles Dennis’s deft solo drama, is an elderly Viennese Jew born just before the turn of the 20th century. Now nearly 100 years old, he owns a second-hand store called King Solomon’s Treasures, located in mid-town Manhattan, circa 1990.

 

In the course of a long and busy life, encompassing almost the entire century, Altman, analyzed by Sigmund Freud at age 7, survived two wars, an unfortunate marriage and incarceration in two concentration camps, Theresienstadt and Auschwitz. He lived at various times in Israel, Chicago, Florida and Brazil. Now he’s happily ensconced as the proprietor of his shop — but his security is threatened by a large development corporation that wants to buy the building. When he refuses to sell, they sic New York City’s dread building inspectors on him and challenge his mental competence in court.

 

When Altman, in a David vs. Goliath battle, takes his stand against the giant corporation, he must muster all his shrewdness and wit and talents as a fixer. He manipulates the news media, his fellow Jews, his employees and local politicians to beat the corporate carpet-baggers at their own game. The results are both unexpected and unexpectedly funny.

 

Dennis’s script is an incisive character study, but it’s also a sharply plotted comedy, directed expertly and unobtrusively by Charles Haid and performed with finesse by Laskin. Altman is a protean figure; he is by turns cynical, witty, both folksy and sophisticated, flirtatious, grim, rueful, and triumphant. Laskin rings the changes with charm and perception.

 

Designer Yee Eun Nam’s set is an interestingly cluttered junk shop, and he also provides the projections that amplify Altman’s rich memories.

 

 

Zephyr Theatre, 7456 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 3 p.m.; through March 13. (323) 960-4412; www.zephyrtheatre.com. Running time: One hour and 15 minutes with one intermission.

 

 

 

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