'A View From The Bridge' at the Nancy Marine Studio Theatre - My Review

Warner Theatre Executive Director Lynn Gelormino describes A View From The Bridge as "a searing drama of love and revenge [that] tells the story of longshoreman Eddie Carbone, his wife Beatrice and their extended family--an orphaned niece, Catherine, and two impoverished Sicilian cousins, who have entered the country illegally." The play's director Les Ober addressed the audience with Sharon A. Wilcox before the show began at the Nancy Marine Studio Theatre to thank the cast who have embraced the piece with love and dedication. Mr. Ober from Torrington also shared that he has had the privilege to both teach and direct the works of three of America's greatest playwrights--Tennessee Williams, Eugene O'Neill, and here Arthur Miller. He asked us to keep in mind two questions during the production: Is Carbone truly a tragic hero and could he exist today?

So that is the background of this heavy Arthur Miller play set in the 1950s that first became a one act play. There were some laughs in the first act, but none in the second. Some members of the audience that were as unfamiliar with the piece as I was audibly gasped as the drama reached its climax. That is the precision with which Mr. Ober has directed this dramatic work.

As Eddie Carbone, John Ozerhoski gave a brilliant performance. I knew that this WZBG radio host is a fine song and dance man, but here he proved that he is an equally talented dramatic actor. He was spellbinding in this production. As the narrator/lawyer named Alfieri, John Ponzini gave a nuanced performance. The fact that Mr. Ponzini has been a practicing trial lawyer for 30 years may have helped him flesh out this demanding role and it was a pleasure to watch.

His costars all rose to the same level, giving the impression that this community theater work was an Equity production. Cathy Quirk shared the stage again with Mr. Ozerhoski as they did in Hairspray, a show that was clearly at the opposite end of the spectrum. Here she was searing as Beatrice Carbone and the perfect foil for the tragic hero. As Catherine, Victoria Mancini turned in a professional performance as the beautiful young orphan. Robert Rovezzi played the tough Italian Marco and Rodolpho was finely played by Reid Sinclair. Kurt Moffett and Steve Picard as dockworkers, Dan DiVirgilio and Leo Paul as immigration officers, Jack Healy and Karen Parent as the Liparis and Harrison and Karla Woodworth as "submarines" round out this fine cast.

The set designed by the director was also impressive. I held my breath each time actors remained aboard the moveable sections as they were slowly rolled into the wings, but there were no mishaps. The lovely costumes by Matthew Dettmer added much 1950s value to the scenes. The lighting by David Zahacewski is best described as moody; it worked beautifully for the most part. I personally felt that Mr. Ponzini was just a tad too obscured  when he was at the front of the stage, but that is being very picky. Chris LaPlante, a WAMS grad, designed sound that worked almost perfectly.