Review: I'M NOT RAPPAPORT Connects Through Friendship

RAPPAPORT is a story of family, friendship and frailty, say the producers Ann-Carol Pence and Anthony P. Rodriguez in a program note. A 1986 Tony Award winner, Herb Gardner's I'M NOT RAPPAPORT is the final show in the Aurora Theatre's 20th anniversary season. Through its endearing dialogue, wit and thought-provoking moments, the matinee showing on Sunday, May 8-Mother's Day-kept the audience of primarily senior citizens laughing at the relatability while reflecting on the universal truths conveyed.

Kenny Raskin (Nat) and Rob Cleveland (Midge) were thrilled to be "back on the bench", as they said in their bios, playing roles they had originated in the Atlanta premiere 27 years ago. While Midge prefers minding his own business, territorially claiming his "spot" on a particular bench in Central Park, Nat is relentless in his pursuit of storytelling and conversational exchanges, forging an unexpected friendship of sorts.

The two seniors recount memories and indulge their nostalgia, bantering along the way, while they confront their own present challenges associated with older age. When Midge seeks to keep the peace, Nat is on the defense, putting them in jeopardizing scenarios to fight for justice. Raskin and Cleveland brilliantly portray the differences in personalities as well as the sympathetic, common nature of both characters through their accents and embodiment of fragility in movement around the stage.

The quaint theater made use of its space with a meticulously crafted set. From the broken bench panes, cans and trash sprawled across the ground amidst pebbles, down to the etched carvings engraved on the benches and graffiti, the set brought the audience to a place of authenticity within the environment of New York City.

The audience watches as stubbornness provokes agitation, which then ultimately leads to loving admiration and care in the friendship of Nat and Midge and the father-daughter relationship of Nat and Clara. The bench provides an opportunity to wander down memory lane, feeling old wounds while simultaneously rejoicing in the precious slices of life. I'M NOT RAPPAPORT becomes a wonderfully-told story about navigating identity and finding one's place in the phase of late adulthood.

The Aurora Theatre is Gwinnett's only professional theater. I'M NOT RAPPAPORT runs from May 5- June 5, 2016. Tickets can be purchased at tickets.auroratheatre.com.

Photo Credit: Maggie Harney

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