2008 Woodie Awards
Family takes a look at Jewish culture
Carey Purcell
Issue date: 11/18/04 Section: Arts and Entertainment
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The Emerson Stage production of All of a Kind Family is like a gift made by a child. A lot of dedicated effect has been put in, it came from a good idea, but the final effort is not quite right. It is sweet and earnest, but not quite complete.
Based on a series of children's books by Sydney Taylor, the Emerson Stage production was adapted and directed by Melia Bensussen, assistant professor in the performing arts department. The story of five sisters who are growing up on the Lower East Side of New York, All of a Kind Family is a collection of tableaus of the family's life and the lives of their friends during the early 1900s. It shares stories of everything from the tragedy of losing a library book to the trials and tribulations of picking out the right kind of candy, all seen from the eyes of a child.
Performed by Emerson students, the cast of All of a Kind Family is believable and sincere in its portrayals. Senior theatre studies major Jamie Davis as Ella provides a maturity and sweetness to the role of the oldest sister. Junior acting major Allison Colby's Henny is adorable and amusing. As Sara, senior musical theatre Kara Schwarz makes a lost library book truly seem like the end of the world. Senior acting major Abigail Katsen is charming as Charlotte, and, as the youngest daughter of five, junior musical theatre major Gabrielle Garza is a very content baby of the family. While acting the part of a child can result in over-exaggerated, clichéd performances, this cast manages to avoid it. Their depictions of the five daughters are genuine and heartfelt.
But the daughters are not the only stars of the show. As the mother, senior acting major Courtney Arnett brings a mixture of wit and wisdom to the show. Senior theatre studies major Jason Garvett's Papa is a jolly, jovial father.
The supporting cast of neighborhood friends also provides a cultural depth to the show, portraying daily life in New York though the eyes of immigrants. Junior musical theatre Frank Nappi's Sal, complete with an Italian accent, and Mr. Basch (junior acting major Mathew Sherbach) add insight and maturity to the story.
As Charlie and Kathy, senior musical theatre Andrew Schufman and senior theatre studies Amy Harmon add a sweet bit of romance to the story. And senior theatre studies major Gina Alibrio's Mrs. Blumberg is the perfect busybody friend of the family.
Staged in the Majestic Cutler Theater, All of a Kind Family has a simple but impressive set. Hand-painted skylines of New York City fill the stage, with doors that open and close, easily changing the set from a house to a library to the city streets. The props are few but effective, leaving plenty of room for the actors to fill the stage.
The play also provides insight into Jewish culture, with its depictions of the family's traditions. Sarah, who has a close relationship with Kathy, their local librarian, tells her all about their religious celebrations and traditions, providing a childlike perspective of the culture. This innocent insight continues throughout the play, showing the audience how a simple trip to the library can be an exciting event for children, or a fireworks show on the 4th of July can leave one starry-eyed and speechless.
While the cast of the play is strong, the play itself is not. The stories are sweet but do not tie together well, and the music is haphazard and disjointed. While the musical numbers offer the actors a chance to display their strong singing abilities, the songs themselves seem to distract from the play rather than enhance it.
All of a Kind Family is a good effort, but the strengths of the cast were not able to overshadow the weakness of the script.
All of a Kind Family will be performed at the Cutler-Majestic Theatre on Saturday, Nov. 20 at 2 and 8 p.m. Tickets are $18 for adults and $9 for children.
Based on a series of children's books by Sydney Taylor, the Emerson Stage production was adapted and directed by Melia Bensussen, assistant professor in the performing arts department. The story of five sisters who are growing up on the Lower East Side of New York, All of a Kind Family is a collection of tableaus of the family's life and the lives of their friends during the early 1900s. It shares stories of everything from the tragedy of losing a library book to the trials and tribulations of picking out the right kind of candy, all seen from the eyes of a child.
Performed by Emerson students, the cast of All of a Kind Family is believable and sincere in its portrayals. Senior theatre studies major Jamie Davis as Ella provides a maturity and sweetness to the role of the oldest sister. Junior acting major Allison Colby's Henny is adorable and amusing. As Sara, senior musical theatre Kara Schwarz makes a lost library book truly seem like the end of the world. Senior acting major Abigail Katsen is charming as Charlotte, and, as the youngest daughter of five, junior musical theatre major Gabrielle Garza is a very content baby of the family. While acting the part of a child can result in over-exaggerated, clichéd performances, this cast manages to avoid it. Their depictions of the five daughters are genuine and heartfelt.
But the daughters are not the only stars of the show. As the mother, senior acting major Courtney Arnett brings a mixture of wit and wisdom to the show. Senior theatre studies major Jason Garvett's Papa is a jolly, jovial father.
The supporting cast of neighborhood friends also provides a cultural depth to the show, portraying daily life in New York though the eyes of immigrants. Junior musical theatre Frank Nappi's Sal, complete with an Italian accent, and Mr. Basch (junior acting major Mathew Sherbach) add insight and maturity to the story.
As Charlie and Kathy, senior musical theatre Andrew Schufman and senior theatre studies Amy Harmon add a sweet bit of romance to the story. And senior theatre studies major Gina Alibrio's Mrs. Blumberg is the perfect busybody friend of the family.
Staged in the Majestic Cutler Theater, All of a Kind Family has a simple but impressive set. Hand-painted skylines of New York City fill the stage, with doors that open and close, easily changing the set from a house to a library to the city streets. The props are few but effective, leaving plenty of room for the actors to fill the stage.
The play also provides insight into Jewish culture, with its depictions of the family's traditions. Sarah, who has a close relationship with Kathy, their local librarian, tells her all about their religious celebrations and traditions, providing a childlike perspective of the culture. This innocent insight continues throughout the play, showing the audience how a simple trip to the library can be an exciting event for children, or a fireworks show on the 4th of July can leave one starry-eyed and speechless.
While the cast of the play is strong, the play itself is not. The stories are sweet but do not tie together well, and the music is haphazard and disjointed. While the musical numbers offer the actors a chance to display their strong singing abilities, the songs themselves seem to distract from the play rather than enhance it.
All of a Kind Family is a good effort, but the strengths of the cast were not able to overshadow the weakness of the script.
All of a Kind Family will be performed at the Cutler-Majestic Theatre on Saturday, Nov. 20 at 2 and 8 p.m. Tickets are $18 for adults and $9 for children.