By D. A. Blackburn
Sometimes the most meaningful friendships grow out of profoundly unlikely situations. Such is the case of Joe Halpern and Dennis Johnson, the fictional duo – and namesakes – of Lionel Goldstein's play "Halpern and Johnson," which closes out The Jewish Ensemble Theatre's 2008-2009 season.
Joe (Thomas D. Mahard) has lost his wife to cancer. Dennis (Arthur J. Beer) has lost the love of his life. The catch: They are one and the same woman. But it's not until her funeral that the two come face-to-face. Though married for 50 years, Joe Halpern has never met – or even heard of – the man his wife lunched with, thrice annually, throughout their life together. Drawn together in grief, the pair seems as different as day and night, but they soon discover that their common love has crafted for them an enduring bond. Over the course of a year, they form a cathartic relationship, transforming from romantic rivals to genuine friends.
Goldstein's play – every bit this straight-forward – is a surprisingly potent drama, at once heart-wrenching and warmly comedic. It's a thoughtful piece of writing, and in this staging, it provides a good showcase for Mahard and Beer.
JET's design team, headed by set designer Xiaopo Wang, has taken a clean, simple approach with the production. The sets, properties, lighting and sound designs are all of the minimalist variety, allowing "Halpern and Johnson" to shine as the dialogue-driven character drama that it is.
A better pair of performers for this two-man play would be hard to come by, and it's in this respect that JET's production succeeds most admirably. Beer and Mahard make conjuring the breadth of human emotion look easy and natural, and as such, the characters they create feel as genuine as the patron sitting next to you in the theater. And just as easily, the pair manages to bring a comfortable, conversational tone to Goldstein's dialogue – some of which feels a little clunky on the printed page.
Goldstein's writing is, at times, a bit verbose, and it's in this respect that the work falters slightly. There are moments when the production seems to drag its heels. Director Christopher Bremer's work here seems a bit cautious, opting for a meandering cadence to maintain a high level of emotional potency, but this is an easily forgiven flaw considering the strength of Beer's and Mahard's performances.
This is thoroughly an actor's play, and JET has done well to let these two talents shine.
REVIEW:
'Halpern and Johnson'
The Jewish Ensemble Theatre at the Aaron DeRoy Theatre, 6600 W. Maple Rd., West Bloomfield. Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday & Sunday through May 17. $33-$39. 248-788-2900. http://www.jettheatre.org
