The Graduate at LCC's Dart auditorium was a nostalgic trip back to the era of my own confused youth in the 60's — but speaks to a universal experience of that daunting time when young people unwittingly make choices, and avoid choices, that will affect the rest of their lives. The music, the costumes (Amber Marisa Cook) and the hairdos evoked the era. The set was a made up of attractive but chaotic, wooden painted panels (design Bartley Bauer; scenic painting Kimberly Lennox) that created a backdrop conflicting patterns while smoothly transforming into ten different locations. When a movie is translated to the stage, multiple scene changes can easily kill the pace, but the design of the set and smooth changes by cast and crew kept this script flowing. Adapter/author Terry Johnson did a good job of transforming the book/movie into a workable stage script.
All the actors were fine, and the three leads were each outstanding. Clearie McCarthy (who even looked like the lovely Katharine Ross from the movie) embodied an earnest charm and naiveté as the daughter, Elaine. Deb Keller was amazing as the sultry, jaded, hard-shell-hiding-pain Mrs. Robinson, exercising the only kind of power she could in the society of the early/mid 60's. Scott Laban was excellent as the center and the heart of the show, expressing a "natural awkwardness" (oxymoron?) and bringing the audience with him on a perhaps misguided journey toward his future — which we hope will be happier ever after than Mr. and Mrs. Robinson's. Kudos to director John Lepard for mixing these relationships with a deft hand.
Only one show left, Saturday night at 8 (busy weekend last week, sorry) but this show is well worth navigating the construction on Capitol Avenue to Dart Auditorium. (The parking lot on the corner of Genesee and Capitol is near the break in the barriers where you need to cross; or use the LCC parking ramp off Grand Ave. - free - and approach from the east.)
$5 students, $10 seniors, LCC staff & alumni, $15 adults; at the doorFor more information call 517-483-1488 or visit lcc.edu/showinfo.
All the actors were fine, and the three leads were each outstanding. Clearie McCarthy (who even looked like the lovely Katharine Ross from the movie) embodied an earnest charm and naiveté as the daughter, Elaine. Deb Keller was amazing as the sultry, jaded, hard-shell-hiding-pain Mrs. Robinson, exercising the only kind of power she could in the society of the early/mid 60's. Scott Laban was excellent as the center and the heart of the show, expressing a "natural awkwardness" (oxymoron?) and bringing the audience with him on a perhaps misguided journey toward his future — which we hope will be happier ever after than Mr. and Mrs. Robinson's. Kudos to director John Lepard for mixing these relationships with a deft hand.
Only one show left, Saturday night at 8 (busy weekend last week, sorry) but this show is well worth navigating the construction on Capitol Avenue to Dart Auditorium. (The parking lot on the corner of Genesee and Capitol is near the break in the barriers where you need to cross; or use the LCC parking ramp off Grand Ave. - free - and approach from the east.)
$5 students, $10 seniors, LCC staff & alumni, $15 adults; at the doorFor more information call 517-483-1488 or visit lcc.edu/showinfo.
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