BWW Reviews: THE SEVEN YEAR ITCH at Miami Theater Center

MTC's Stephanie Ansin and Fernando Calzadilla have once again adapted (or "reimagined" as they put it) a theatrical classic and sequel syndrome is rampant here. First it was Three Sisters, then Hedda Gabler and now George Axelrod's comedy, THE SEVEN YEAR ITCH. The original ran on Broadway for three years, 1952 to 1955, and was then made into the movie that flashed MM's panties all over the world.

About seventy seats set on the stage, front row six feet from the actors in the beautifully designed set by Calzadilla. One apartment set above another; sweaty would-be adulterer in the bottom, nubile young lady in the top. His wife and child are out of Manhattan for the summer, he stays for work, fantasizes about women. She wants to bag his body. And does. Guilt.

Director Stephanie Ansin has also "reimagined" the art of casting, giving the lead role of Richard Sherman (he's on stage for almost all of the two hour show) to Aaron Glickman, MTC board secretary and local businessman. According to his bio he last acted some ten years ago and did not have extensive stage experience at that time.

I applaud Glickman for accepting the challenge. It takes guts to essay such a role. But the inevitable happens. Embarrassment follows.

He looks the part, a sleazily charming late thirties. As Richard, he talks to himself and the audience, (breaking the fourth wall?) about how he's such a good boy and would never cheat. Musing aloud is okay, I guess, in little snatches, but he makes it an endless experience, sighs to screams. Expressions to match, on demand. His fantasies are fun, sort of, involving scantily clad alluring women, a drag Marilyn Monroe, his own wife, and, what a laugh, bald-headed Marilyn without his wig, chewing on an unlit cigar and offering marital advice to the poor boy. And not just once.

The girl from upstairs is played by Diana Garle and she's the right age and she's cute and she wears tight short shorts and bends over a lot and she really doesn't have much experience either so it's pretty hard going when she and Richard are prattling on about champagne and life and heavy stuff like that.

But don't leave too soon for there's a gem or two hidden in the rubble: all star actor Betsy Graver plays Helen, Richard's perfect fifties wife and Carbonell winner Chaz Mena is Tom, her would-be lover. They have a short scene in which they enter, wet from a storm and stand before a blazing fire. She is soaked and he encourages her to strip to her undies and cover up in a blanket. Ah, bliss. Two excellent actors who play the fifties satire to its funniest.

Graver is in another fantasy in which she shoots Richard then commits suicide. Hilarious.

Mena also excels in his other short scene.

Mena and Graver have small roles; how much greater would be the show were they playing the leads?

First up in Act ll, is Shira Abergel, as the seven year old daughter of Richard and Helen. She's tap dancing. I hope someone YouTubes a video of this. It'll be viral in a second. She's brilliantly funny.

Good actors, too, in the fantasy temptresses world. Each has a few lines and makes the most of them. Shira Abergel, Linda Berhard, Anarida Burgos, and Jessica Farr are the ladies of dreams. Voice and movement director Luckner Bruno Jr lines them up, turns them upstage and they wiggle their backsides.

Miami newcomer James Howell does well as both Dr Brubaker and Marilyn.

Original music and sound design by Luciano Stazzone. Set designer Calzadilla also handled the generally excellent costuming (check out the pointed brassiere on Helen) and lighting.

So, what could have been a fun show is ultimately spoiled by the casting. Looks ain't everything.

THE SEVEN YEAR ITCH plays through March 22 at the Miami Theater Center, 9806 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami Shores. 305-751-9550 http://www.mtcmiami.org

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