"Mr. Dooley's America" - Exquisite Delivery
The success of "Mr. Dooley's America," which continues through Sunday at The Chester Theater Company at the base of the Berkshire hills in western Massachusetts, relies upon graceful, knowing delivery furnished by a pair of poised, seasoned performers. Vincent Dowling and Des Keough might double as veteran hardball pitchers who control a ballgame's flow with guile and precision. These actors, demonstrating the value of perfect timing, serve up a delicious tiny gem of a play.
As the nineteenth century yielded to the twentieth, the Chicago journalist Peter Finley Dunne created the fictional bartending Mr. Dooley, via The Chicago Post, to present views of these United States. Vincent Dowling (actor, artistic director, playwright, educator....) plays Dooley with deliberation and charm. At times, he appears ready to wink at the audience; the joke is more on Hennessy, his friend who regularly drinks/chats with him at the tavern.
Dooley was a fictional presence journalist Dunne created in order to speak of education, politics, relationships. Given governmental circumstances within Massachusetts and, soon enough, in greater America, the banter, more than a century later, seems all too appropriate.
The play runs, with intermission, for one hour and forty minutes. If you attend and fear you haven't caught the plotline, worry not. There isn't any. No matter. It's an evening filled with one and two liners: "Business was better when vice was rampant." "Going out on strike is replacing baseball as our national pastime." "A new woman will be freed from the oppression of men." "The kid will talk in his sleep. He'll be a fine lawyer." "I'm afraid the Democratic Party isn't on speaking terms with itself." "The sooner you get old, the longer you'll be old."
The opening moments of the play feature Dunne (Keogh taking on this role as well) speaking from the stage while Dooley appears at the left audience aisle. Moments later, conversations begin. The piece was written by Philip Dunne and Martin Blaine; Charlotte Moore directs. Those seeking over-the-top theater will be very much disappointment. Instead, "Mr. Dooley's America" is delightfully understated.
Dowling is at home on stage. When he pours drinks for his friend and himself, he does so gracefully, as if he might as well be entertaining in his living room. Keogh moves seamlessly from Hennessey to Dunne without missing a beat. And, the trappings within the saloon itself are inviting: well-worn wooden bar, stools, and tables. Photographs on the wall appear to have been hung decades earlier.
The actors are comfortable with one another and that relaxation allows them to concentrate upon detail. The play begs that each moment be fully realized and that is clearly the case.
Youthful attendees will appreciate the quality within "Mr. Dooley" but might find it a tad slow. Others will most assuredly appreciate the unhurried pacing.
Ticket information: (413) 354-7771 or via chestertheatre.org.
As the nineteenth century yielded to the twentieth, the Chicago journalist Peter Finley Dunne created the fictional bartending Mr. Dooley, via The Chicago Post, to present views of these United States. Vincent Dowling (actor, artistic director, playwright, educator....) plays Dooley with deliberation and charm. At times, he appears ready to wink at the audience; the joke is more on Hennessy, his friend who regularly drinks/chats with him at the tavern.
Dooley was a fictional presence journalist Dunne created in order to speak of education, politics, relationships. Given governmental circumstances within Massachusetts and, soon enough, in greater America, the banter, more than a century later, seems all too appropriate.
The play runs, with intermission, for one hour and forty minutes. If you attend and fear you haven't caught the plotline, worry not. There isn't any. No matter. It's an evening filled with one and two liners: "Business was better when vice was rampant." "Going out on strike is replacing baseball as our national pastime." "A new woman will be freed from the oppression of men." "The kid will talk in his sleep. He'll be a fine lawyer." "I'm afraid the Democratic Party isn't on speaking terms with itself." "The sooner you get old, the longer you'll be old."
The opening moments of the play feature Dunne (Keogh taking on this role as well) speaking from the stage while Dooley appears at the left audience aisle. Moments later, conversations begin. The piece was written by Philip Dunne and Martin Blaine; Charlotte Moore directs. Those seeking over-the-top theater will be very much disappointment. Instead, "Mr. Dooley's America" is delightfully understated.
Dowling is at home on stage. When he pours drinks for his friend and himself, he does so gracefully, as if he might as well be entertaining in his living room. Keogh moves seamlessly from Hennessey to Dunne without missing a beat. And, the trappings within the saloon itself are inviting: well-worn wooden bar, stools, and tables. Photographs on the wall appear to have been hung decades earlier.
The actors are comfortable with one another and that relaxation allows them to concentrate upon detail. The play begs that each moment be fully realized and that is clearly the case.
Youthful attendees will appreciate the quality within "Mr. Dooley" but might find it a tad slow. Others will most assuredly appreciate the unhurried pacing.
Ticket information: (413) 354-7771 or via chestertheatre.org.
posted by Fred Sokol at 5:28 AM
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