Florida Review: The Graduate in Fort Lauderdale

Where Have You Gone Joe DiMaggio? How can I resist using a lyric from the Simon and Garfunkel song that embellished the classic film, THE GRADUATE? Actually, instead of asking where Joe DiMaggio has gone, I would like to ask, "Why couldn't you have been here Mike Nichols?"

The word "classic" will never be used in describing the stage adaptation of the Mike Nichols film and Charles Webb novel. Mr. Nichols won an Oscar for directing the film of THE GRADUATE. Best actor and actress nominations went respectively to Dustin Hoffman and Anne Bancroft. The film also received an Oscar nomination as best picture of the year.

It is certainly a formidable task, adapting a legendary film to the stage. The ghosts of this film, including the legendary performances and that great Mrs. Robinson song, hover over this stage production of THE GRADUATE. That is likely one of the things the creators of this play had in mind. Hoping to spur ticket sales and bring happiness to theatergoers by staging some memorable moments from the film. It does not work.

There have been some successful adaptations of films to the stage, when for decades the trend had always been the reverse. It has been almost exclusively with musicals. It may have started with the stage version of the film 42ND STREET in 1980. The producers of this version of THE GRADUATE knew they had "name recognition" for their product (certainly to those of us who are middle age plus.) In its time THE GRADUATE film was cutting edge and very sexy. Its direction was fresh and exciting, as was its unconventionally fetching leading man, Dustin Hoffman.

Morgan Fairchild is a stunning woman and her nude scene in this play will certainly entice some ticket buyers. One gathers that the "money" people behind this production had that primary thought in their mind all along. "Let's get a famous lady up there onstage and the titillation of her nakedness will sell the tickets." I guess it works somewhat, but there was a great deal of empty seats on opening night. Unfortunately, though as exciting as seeing Ms. Fairchild in her birthday suit is, this GRADUATE is sadly limp.

Nathan Corddry as Benjamin (the Dustin Hoffman part), the young man Mrs. Robinson seduces, gives THE GRADUATE most of its charm and helps hold our interest. He is delightful and attractive and some wish that his character too, would engage in some staged nudity. His numerous underwear scenes, are sadly highlights of this play. Alas, the alluring Fairchild has the only nude scene. One can't help but wonder why this play is not funny and is strangely lifeless. Scenes and happenings that were captivating in the film are often just pleasant to watch. Often, they are tedious to watch. Ms. Fairchild is no slouch as an actress. But her Mrs. Robinson is as bland as she is boozy. Morgan Fairchild has never been in the league of highly regarded actresses, such as Anne Bancroft who beautifully defined this part onscreen. Fairchild's performance here will not change her "acting league" any time soon. She was sadly not directly to "slam dunk" some of her lines. The lovely Winslow Corbett as Elaine, Mrs. Robinson's daughter, is able to "bring her character to life" but it is difficult to really care very much about her. Her part is very choppily written. Then again, none of the actors in this production had Mike Nichols directing them.

It is certainly fair to compare the play to the film, because the play "rides on" the movie's fame as much as it relies on its heavily publicized nude scene. The play does not provide the pleasures of the film. It does not even provide the pleasures of staying at home and watching an episode of a mildly successful sitcom. Again, the play DOES give us the silhouetted nude Ms. Fairchild. I stress this because it is a major selling point of this play and the nudity aspect is prominently mentioned in local advertisements of this production. Aside from being beautiful and strikingly attired, Fairchild is indeed at times fun, and sprightly onstage. Morgan Fairchild appearing as Mrs. Robinson also gives us a new "fun theater fact." She is performing the role created onstage by Kathleen Turner. These two Mrs. Robinsons were married to each other as Chandler's parents on the wonderful sitcom FRIENDS (Turner played Chandler's transdad, Fairchild played his Mom.)

This GRADUATE has strangely stark unappealing sets, and one wonders; why didn't they at least try to give us some imaginative, attractive scenery to look at while laboring through the play? The lighting and costumes were fine, but again, it really didn't matter. Ms. Fairchild always looks stunning in this play. But, THE GRADUATE never emits much humor, drama, warmth or heart.

THE GRADUATE's last performance is March 27 at Fort Lauderdale's always magnificent Broward Center for the Performing Arts.

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