Review: The Front Page at 2nd Story Theatre

Written in 1928 by Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur, The Front Page takes place in the man's domain of the press room in the Chicago Criminal Courts Building, which looks out over the gallows at the Cook County Jail. It is based on the authors' own experience.

The original play has been adapted many times, most successfully I believe, as the 1940 film His Girl Friday, starring Rosalind Russell

The play also seems to share at least some heritage with Chicago, a 1926 play by reporter Maurine Dallas Watkins which is based on crimes which she reported. That play was adapted into the smash musical of the same name.

The first film adaptation of The Front Page, in 1929, was made just two years after the first "talkie" and it shows. 2^nd Story's production, with its rapid-fire dialogue and light comedy owes much to the style of the film His Girl Friday. Director Ed Shea stays true the original premise, while updating slightly, the feel of the play. Trevor Elliot's stage design is a terrific meshing of form and function. The set feels like an old newspaper room, sans the unfiltered cigarettes and butts and ashtrays.

Shea casts Hildy Johnson, the main character, against type. It is hard to imagine this Hildy as a hardened newspaper man with a steel-trap mind and rumpled, drunk, and smelly. Jim Sullivan's Hildy is warm, extroverted and open. Though the casting is disconcerting at first, Sullivan give a fine performance, making us believe that his is Hildy.

Hildy is celebrating his last day as a reporter. He has told his boss, publisher Walter Burns (Bob Colonna) to go to hell and is on his way to New York City to make a home with his fiancé Peggy Grant and his soon-to-be mother-in-law, Mrs. Grant (Joan Batting).

In 1920's Chicago, hangings were more or less regular, public events and had been since 1840. The boys in the press room are bored, waiting and hoping for a scoop on the impending hanging of convicted cop-killer Earl Williams (Jonathan Jacobs). They have lobbied, unsuccessfully, to get the hanging moved up a couple hours so they can make their publishing deadline and go home. Hildy has stopped into the press room to collect his things on his way to the train station.

The crooked mayor (Tom Roberts) and Sheriff (Andrew Stigler) expect the publicity from the execution to help them keep their jobs in an upcoming election. Hildy soon gets caught up in the biggest story of his career when Earl Williams escapes and Hildy inadvertently "captures" him. The wedding, along with his fiancé and mother-in-law will have to wait.

The cast of 20, weaves in, out, over and around each other, both physically and verbally. 2^nd Story regulars F. William Oakes, Walter Cotter, Vince Petronio and John Michael Richardson have a long working history together, just like the newspapermen in the play. The familiarity and interplay between them is a perfect example of the advantages of an acting company.

The female characters are period-appropriate stereotypes. Paula Faber is divine as Mrs. Schlosser, the shrewish wife of one of the journalists. As Peggy, Janine Weisman is the virtuous and put-upon fiancé, chaperoned though life by her meddling mother, played by Joan Batting. Laura Sorensen plays Mollie Malloy, the condemned man's girlfriend. Mollie is, of course, a streetwalker with a heart of gold. Pam Faulkner has a the small role of Jennie, the cleaning lady. Each of these actresses turn in fine performances.

Bob Colonna is, as always, riveting as publisher Walter Burns. Tom Roberts looks and acts appropriately Mayoral, authoritative and slimey. Roberts, along with Joanne Fayan, would each have made a terrific Hildy.

More important than the individual performance is the performance of the entire ensemble. This is a cast without a weak link, and the production is nearly flawless. The comedy is light, verbal and mildly intellectual.

Artistic Director Ed Shea had originally planned to present Death of A Salesman during this time-slot in the season. He decided to shelve that idea in deference to the current financial climate and the related steady stream of familial murder/suicides that are being reported. Stories about corrupt politicians (in Chicago or elsewhere) are never out of style, but have rarely been more timely.

The Front Page plays at 2^nd Story Theatre in Warren, RI through February 15^th. Tickets are $25 each and can be purchased at the Box Office which is located at 28 Market St., Warren RI or by phone at 401-247-4200.

Photo: Janine Weisman (left) as Peggy Grant and Jim Sullivan (right) as Hildy Johnson

Photo credit: 2ndStoryTheatre/Richard W. Dionne, Jr.

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