BWW Reviews: BORN YESTERDAY Refreshes the Seasonal Stage

Perhaps it is because I'm just not ready for the holidays but seeing a non-holiday production was particularly welcome the day after Thanksgiving. Playing opposite the Guthrie's 39th annual production of "A Christmas Carol," Guthrie Associate Artistic Director John Miller-Stephany's late 40s period piece BORN YESTERDAY felt fresh and fun in the McGuire Procenium's gorgeous red theatre. It also feels timely, still, as political corruption continues yet today in our nation's capital.

Written by Garson Kanin, who had a career spanning 60 years in theatre and film, the comedy about a corrupt businessman from the other side of the tracks who heads to Washington, D.C., to buy influence with a senator. Harry Brock (Jeff Still) arrives with his entourage in tow: his soused attorney Ed Devery (Mark Benninghofen), loyal cousin-henchman Eddie (Zach Curtis) and long-time girlfriend Billie Dawn (Alexis Bronkovic), a former chorus girl.

Brock is a bully who figured out at a young age that the easiest way to make a buck was to lie, cheat, steal and use his brawn to get his way. He made his fortune in selling junk (sustainability before it was a glimmer in anyone's eye?!) and was looking to expand his business but found the pesky laws were getting in the way. He's spending time and money buying a senator to ensure his business dealings succeed.

Brock realizes his ditzy blonde gal pal is likely to louse up his dealings so he hires newspaperman Paul Verrall (John Patrick Hayden) a'la Pygmalion to teach her way around D.C. society. Two months later, not only did he turn her on to reading classics, exploring art museums and listening to Sibelius, but also to pursuing truth, the American way and Verrall himself.

The three leading players, Still, Bronkovic and Hayden, all debuted at the Guthrie in this production. Fresh talent, though experienced elsewhere, made for an enjoyable change of pace. Guthrie regulars filled out the cast. Still's Brock was every bit the thug and could turn to violence on a dime, bullying everyone in his path. Bronkovic, who was the only prominent female actor, was also the high point of the show. Her Billie Dawn's mental awakening was slow to start; in act one, she's mostly a pretty face in a peignoir who flits up and down the stairs whenever Brock bellows her name. Near the end of the first act, however, you get a clue of Billie's sense of self as she beats Harry in gin rummy and demands her fair share.

The second act completes the transformation and just like Eliza, Billie realizes she's outgrown the man she's with and she wants more for herself. And similarly to the end of the game of gin, by play's end, asserts her power and takes her fair share.

Bronkovic's accent and use of inflection surprises you at first. Instead of going stereotypically high-pitched, her Bille oddly pitches her words down but to great comic effect. She's stunning in Costume Designer Mathew J. LeFebvre's designs, which stand out in the equally stunning set designed by Todd Rosenthal. In contrast to it's inhabitants, the hotel suite's grandeur is especially keen, with a crystal chandelier and two-story view of the capital building captivates from the moment you enter the house.

Miller-Stephany and cast keep the pace of the show hopping along; the first act flies by before you realize it, even with the somewhat slow but clever game of gin rummy. The political relevance of the show today is obvious, even though the dated way the female is treated takes it back to the period. But that's just fine, as this period is pleasing to watch; even the crude characters can't help to seem a bit elegant in wing tips and crisp suits.

There are many choices during the month of December and traditional holiday shows have their place in our hearts, but if you're looking for a fun escape from the holidays, plan an outing to BORN YESTERDAY, now through Jan. 5, 2014.

Photo: Jeff Still (Harry Brock), John Patrick Hayden (Paul Verrall) and Alexis Bronkovic (Billie Dawn) in the Guthrie Theater's production of Born Yesterday by Garson Kanin. Directed by John Miller-Stephany, set design by Todd Rosenthal, costume design by Mathew J. LeFebvre, and lighting design by Marcus Dilliard. November 23, 2013 - January 5, 2014, in the McGuire Proscenium Stage at the Guthrie Theater, Minneapolis. Photo by T. Charles Erickson.

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