REVIEW: No Man is an Island in the Love Street Playhouse Production of "An Inspector Calls"

“Those were the Days, my Friends…” 

The time—1912.  Behind us---the Edwardian Age in England.  Ahead of us—a New Tomorrow?  But for now--a bridge between the old and the new.  What will we do?

This is the setting into which Priestley has deposited the viewers. Before the Titanic; before WWI.  But still suffocating in a caste-type system and gender inequality.  For the upper-class, the Birling family this, indeed, will be the threshold for a new tomorrow. 

But at a terrible price!

The Plot

It is the evening of the engagement of their daughter, Sheila, to another upper-crust businessman, Gerald Croft.  The young couple fiercely grinning.  Mom and Dad are pleased as punch.  Son, Eric, has had too much punch.  And isn’t everything just too fine for words in their insular world.

And into this mock world appears Inspector Goole.  He informs them of the suicide of a young woman.  A lady in which they all might have known and, perhaps they, in some way, may have been responsible for her death.  And, like the stages of an inevitable death—at first denial, then making excuses, blame, and finally acceptance.

David Roberts as Gerald Croft, Jennica Krohn as Sheila Birling and Paul

Segren as Inspector Goole in the Love Street Playhouse production of "An 

Inspector Calls." (Photo provided.)

The death throes of their life style is painful to observe, but necessary for removing the cancers of ignorance and intolerance.  The Inspector leaves, giving the family space to wallow in private and explore their shared guilt.  And, as a parting shot, he concludes...

“We do not live alone.”

We are our Brother’s Keeper, then.  Ah, yes.  But will they heed the warning…the lessons they have learned?  A hint: some do, some don’t.  A microcosm of humanity, then.

But the struggle is not yet over.  A couple of major twists remain. For, you see, the questions of…ah, but that would be telling, wouldn’t it?!  Trust me when I say that Ms. Christie, the Grand Dame of mysteries, would have been proud.  Even Rod Serling, in his Twilight Zone years, would have approved.

The Production

The Birling family enjoys their engagement party prior to the
Inspector's call. Photos here and below by Ruth Zschomler.

Priestley is not an easy playwright to digest or to stage.  One’s palate must be prepared for the sensations that will accompany the feast.  Go, knowing you will be challenged as a viewer and thinker.  For Priestley brings the Past with hurling force into our immediate Present, pleading with us to change, or we will be stuck in reliving it.

The accents of the cast are uneven, seeming to range from cockney to none at all.  And a couple members of the cast seemed to have trouble with lines.  But, with time, these, I’m sure, will be ironed out.  They strive mightily and well, forging through this difficult material.

Particularly good is Paul Segren as Inspector Goole.  His command of the stage and  knowledge of purpose in this pivotal role is captivating.  Nicholas Dibartolomeo as the son, Eric, smoothly transcends from a drunken sot to a raging animal, as the truth descends upon him. 

Jennica Krohn as Sheila Birling

And, as the smart, and quite entrancing bride-to-be, Jennica Krohn fits the role to a tee.  Also rounding out the cast are Don Smith as the smug father, JoAnn McClanahan as the mother, David Roberts as the groom-to-be and Rebekah Krohn as the maid.

The costumes, especially the women’s, are quite stunning by Fran Krohn, and Melinda Leuthold, Producer and owner of the company.  The design and direction are bravely executed by Gregory E. Zschomler.  And Jeff Leuthold, as always, has built a terrific set.

This production is well worth attending.  It runs weekends through May 13.  For further information go to their website at lovestreetplayhouse.com and/or call for tickets at 360-263-6670.

Review by Dennis J. Sparks

Mr. Sparks has years of experience in theater as a teacher, director and performer. He was formerly a Portland theatre reviewer for the Vancouver Voice (now defunct), and is currently a free-lance reporter living in Southwest Washington.

"An Inspector Calls" Opens Friday at the Love Street Playhouse in Woodland, Wash.

David Roberts, Jennica Krohn and Paul Segren in "An Inspector Calls"

"An Inspector Calls," by J.B. Priestly, opens at the Love Street Playhouse, 126 Love St., Woodland, Wash. this Friday, April 20, 2012 for a four weekend run.

The classic play, written in 1945, is set in Edwardian England. The proceedings take place on a single night 100 years ago (in the spring of 1912) just prior to the launch of the Titanic. The story examines a prosperous middle-class family celebrating the engagement of their daughter to Mr. Gerald Croft, the son of a business rival.

The family is visited by a mysterious man calling himself Inspector Goole. He questions the family about the suicide of a young working-class woman named Eva Smith. The family members are interrogated individually and each is revealed to have in some way been responsible for the young woman's exploitation, abandonment and social ruin, effectively leading to her death.

There are major domestic upsets, some surprising twists and turns and some very revealing insights...

But what is really uncovered?

The play is being produced by Melinda Leuthold, owner and Artist Director of the playhouse, and is designed and directed by Gregory E. Zschomler.

CAST:

• Paul Segren, Inspector Goole
• Don Smith, Mr. Arthur Birling
• JoAnn McClanahan, Mrs. Sybil Birling
• Nicholas Dibartolomeo, Master Eric Birling
• Jennica Krohn, Miss Sheila Birling
• David Roberts, Mr. Gerald Croft
• Rebekah Krohn, Edna the maid

The show will play Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. from April 20 through Mother's Day, May 13. Tickets, now on sale, range from $11-$15, available at Columbia Bank in Woodland, Minuteman Press in Longview, online at www.lovestreetplayhouse.com or by calling 360.263.6670 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            360.263.6670      end_of_the_skype_highlighting .

Parental Advisory: This play contains subject matter, dialogue and language that may not be suitable for pre-teen children. The show can best be enjoyed and appreciated by an adult audience.

An independent review will be posted by noon Saturday, April 21.

ARTIST PROFILE: Paul Segren, Actor

Paul Segren - 2011. All photos provided.

Paul Segren has his usual cup of Starbucks with him. A method actor “to a certain degree, probably primarily” in preparation for an up coming role, he speaks in a British accent.

His side burns are long and dyed a chestnut brown. He’s just finished a run of “Sealegs: Board to Death” with Vancouver’s Magenta Theater as Mr. Banks, but has been rehearsing his next show on top of that.

Acting has been in his blood since childhood. His first stage show, during grade school, was “Cinderella” in which he played a bluebird. He recalls, “I was a damn good bluebird.” While participating in high school and college theater he also found time for community theater, but a stint with the U.S. Coast Guard following his education put acting on hold.

As a tie-wearing print plant worker he also put off acting for a time, but came back recently with a vengeance after he was laid off. For Paul, his first love is once again a priority.

Segren as Colonel Brandon in "Sense
and Sensibility," Magenta Theater - 2012

Before “Sealegs” he played Colonel Brandon and John Dashwood in the Magenta production of “Sense and Sensibility.”

He’s also recently played Adam Pontipee in Longview’s Rising Star production of “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” and both Mr. Darling and the Indian chief in the Longview Stageworks production of “Peter Pan.”

Segren as Mr. Darling in a Longview Stageworks pro-

duction of "Peter Pan" at the Columbia Theater - 2011

“I love performing,” he said, “I love the fourth wall.” Acting is his goal and “all I want” he chimes. “Anything I do for employment will support my acting habit.”

He prefers drama and doesn’t pursue a lot of comedy since he doesn’t see himself as being very comedic, but he can sing and dance, so musicals fall into his interests. He’s also interested in one day playing King Arthur in “Camelot.”

Segren as John Dashwood in "Sense and

 Sensibility" at Magenta Theater - 2012

I asked Segren if he did much in the way of back stage tasks and he said he has experience there but stated, “I don’t much like doing behind the scenes, I like to be on stage.”

And he’s not yet ready to direct. “There’s so much more to worry about [like lighting, scheduling, etc.], but I don’t want to do that. I want to [concentrate] on acting.” He said he wants to take on as many acting roles as he can.

He admires Michael Keaton, Dustin Hoffman, Jeffery Rush, and Robin Williams as actors. And Peter O’Toole. “I want to be Peter O’Toole,” he said, laughing lightly. Matthew Broderick and Julie Andrews are also on his list. “I’d die for Julie Andrews,” he said with a wry smile.

Segren as Inspector Goole. (c) LSP

He prepares exhaustively for his parts and enjoys the immersion. I’m directing him now in the Love Street Playhouse production of “An Inspector Calls.” He is playing the title role and is quite professional and a joy to work with.

As the interview draws to a close he pulls out his favorite candy bar—a PayDay—it’s his second at this week’s rehearsals. When I asked him about his PayDay and Starbucks diet the slim and fit actor of actors confessed, “I’m horribly addicted to SweetTarts,” and I couldn’t help but wonder if he would insist on them in his dressing room. It would be a small price to pay to have him on board.

Segren as Adam Pontipee in a Rising Star Productions presentation
of "Seven Brides For Seven Brothers" in Kelso, WA - 2011

Paul Segren lives in Longview and is available for his next audition—probably beginning rehearsals even before "Inspector" closes on April 13. You can reach him at: aspegren@gmail.com

By Gregory E. Zschomler