Saturday, August 26, 2017

Gloucester Stage Presents The New England Premiere of "Out of the Mouth of Babes" by Israel Horovitz - A Must See


Gloucester Stage is presenting a hilarious comedy by one of its own.  Israel Horovitz is a prolific playwright, and his latest offering, "Out Of The Mouth Of Babes," is one of his best. This production is the New England Premiere of the play that first appeared last year at Cherry Lane Theatre in NYC. His wit and humor and sardonic look at relationships are on full display in this four-handed comedy that feature the stunning cast of Paula Plum, Debra Wise, Sarah Hickler, and Obehi Janice.  Under the direction of Mr. Horovitz himself, the sparks fly back and forth among these four women, all of whom have been romantically involved with a man whose funeral they have come to attend in Paris.


Debra Wise as Evelyn
Paula Plum as Evvie
Sarah Hickler as Janice
Obehi Janice as Marie-Belle
"Out of the Mouth of Babes" by Israel Horovitz
Gloucester Stage Company
Through September 2nd
Photo by Gary Ng

The concept is that the deceased has died at the age of 100 after a full career of teaching at a Paris conservatory, collecting art, and collecting women.  Of the four women gathered in his loft, one was married to him at the time of his death, two are ex-wives, and one is an ex-lover. The skein of resentments that exist among the four would baffle a sociologist, for it turns out that in several cases, one woman had replaced another as the object of desire of this equal opportunity Lothario.  Of particular interest to me was the fact that three of the four women hail from Boston - one from the North End, one from South Boston, and one from Cambridge. His much younger last wife, Marie-Belle, is the lone exception. The playwright's Boston roots come through as Evelyn, Evvie, and Janice discuss Johnny Pesky, the recently deceased icon of the Boston Red Sox. Complications arise when Marie-Belle comes home and reveals that the spirit of the man they all loved is making frequent contact with her, even to the point of tickling her. It is the audience that is most tickled by the shenanigans that ensue.

Jenna McFarland Lord has designed a gorgeous set that includes more than two dozen original works of art, many of which are available for purchase by audience members. Costumes are by Jane Alois Stein, Lighting by Russ Swift and Sound by David Remedios.

The brilliance of this play lies primarily in the non-stop acerbic repartee that flies back and forth among these four rivals.  The lines have been crafted by a master wordsmith, and flawlessly delivered by a cast that sparkles. The limited run of this play must end of September 2nd. If the reaction of the audience on the night when I attended is any indication, this is a play that will resonate with many people.  I found it to be a total delight; it is a "Must See."  Get yourself to East Gloucester, and enjoy hearing Horovitz's inspired words as they cascade out of the mouths of these four talented babes! This is an ensemble piece of the first order, and this ensemble is "formidable - comme il faut"!

Paula Plum as EvvieDebra Wise as Evelyn
Playwright Israel Horovitz
Obehi Janice as Marie-Belle
Sarah Hickler as Janice
"Out of the Mouth of Babes" by Israel Horovitz
Gloucester Stage Company
Through September 2nd
Photo by Gary Ng

Gloucester Stage Website

Enjoy!

Al

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