Chapter Two

Reviewed by Holly Bartges

He denied his wife’s illness. He denied his wife of 12 years harbored a terminal illness. When reality hit, George Schneider’s system flowed into shock and numbness. His over zealous brother, Leo immediately flies into overdrive to set his older brother up with someone else. Another someone would bring his back, and once again everything would be fine. Neil Simon’s autobiographical play Chapter Two hits the boards at Miner’s Alley Playhouse with depth, humor and solidarity Miners Alley has been missing.

(L to R) George (Rob Kramer) and Leo (Mark David Nelson) in a scene from Chapter Two by Neil Simon. Photographer: John Weiler

Directed by Rick Bernstein, the suburb cast of four provides an honest, open, heart-felt portrayal of four people on a roller coaster ride throughout their intertwining universe.

Robert Kramer allows the traumatized-in-love-again-guilt-ridden George to wear his confusion perched on his shoulder for everyone to see, hear and feel. Kramer outstandingly displays human entrenched vulnerability that seeps into such circumstances. George believes there is only one opportunity for true happiness. He had it with Barbara. It cannot happen again.

Mark David Nelson, making his debut at Miner’s Alley, dives headfirst into Leo’s desperate character of wanting his older brother to be OK again. Deep in his heart, he knows better, at the same time becoming obsessed with finding someone new for George. Irritating, obnoxious, Leo’s humor shines without it being broadcast.

Kellie Rae Rockey lays bare the wounds of Jennifer Malone in the throes of divorce as she tries to make sense out of living alone. A wrong phone call from the numbed George leads to a frivolous conversation blowing fresh air into both their lives. Rockey’s performance leads to a mind-boggling lay-it-on-the-line “act with all the stupidity you want, go through whatever you need to go through, but I won’t ever leave you” speech to George that rocks the boards.

Boni McIntyre plays Jennie’s close friend Faye Medwick with a slight dumb blond approach to humored enthusiasm with a zest for life without giving much thought to where that zest might lead her. She cares deeply for her best friend all the while attempting to untie the hard knots in her own life.

Simon’s unique mastery of words and colorful images can become a trap for some actors, relying on the humor to carry them through. This cast avoids the trap with laughing dignity. The actors center their attention on their characters without calling attention to the humor rocked lines. Playing the lines straight, the funny leaps off the stage with a life of their own. When George expresses his disconcerting reaction to getting calls from women Leo has organized, his line, “I’m God’s interior decorator here to paint your coats of happiness” cracks the audience’s funny bone. At the same time, the desperate tragic unfulfilled events solicits an all-knowing universal “been there, done that” and lived through it.

Faye and Leo find themselves entranced in a romantic twist and he blurts out to her, “I want a woman who looks like you, feels like you, and thinks like me.” Representing a giggled slice of humor that wears the same size shoes as a good many others.

The action on stage flies back and forth between two upscale apartments in the upper east side of Manhattan. Designed by Bernstein and Paige L. Larson, the set warmly depicts the two personalities of George and Jennie.

One small glitch seriously needs attention: the costumes. Aside from bland and ordinary, which in some circumstances fit the occasion, some of the outfits worn by the women reveal unnecessary curves. A minute distraction, but a distraction nevertheless.

After a series of less than funny non-plus comedies, Simon’s Chapter Two places Miner’s Alley Playhouse again on the map of solid worthwhile productions. The performances are a knockout. The learning curve of human understanding reaches out with open arms, softly touching the heart and soul with a laugh and a giggle. Chapter Two deserves to be on the “must see” list.