”
Splitting Infinity
”
is a swift moving, intense piece that mixes religion, science
and love with a touch of humor in almost all the right places. It
walks the slippery slope of a delicate question and delivers brisk,
accelerated dialogue.
“Splitting Infinity” is a swift moving, intense piece that mixes religion, science and love with a touch of humor in almost all the right places. It walks the slippery slope of a delicate question and delivers brisk, accelerated dialogue.
Author Jamie Pachino and director Kirsten Brandt have delivered a production that the audience has to pay attention to and think. Blink and a thought that is an important link is lost.
The basic story is a love story of two brilliant people and how they got to where they are. A Nobel prize-winning astrophysicist, Leigh Sandgold (Amy Runick), on verge of a mid-life crisis, and a young post-doctoral student Robbi March, (Chad Deverman) mix well into a passionate romance. Throw in the idea that their next project is to prove that there is no God and you have the slippery slope and the delicate question.
Flashbacks are cleverly handled with Robin Sanford Roberts’ observatory-framed set, using the upper level for the past when young Leigh shares her ideals and brilliance with her first love, young Saul Lieberman. The lower level serves as the present and brings the reality of the characters to life in that time frame.
Amy Resnick is outstanding as Leigh celebrating her 49th birthday; her clear delivery of the sometime overwhelming dialogue is a feat in itself. She is surrounded by a supremely fine cast that brings this creation into rarified theatre.
‘Splitting Infinity’
Where: San Jose Repertory Theatre, 101 Paseo de San Antonio
When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday; 8 p.m. Wednesday – Saturday; 3 p.m. Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sunday; through Nov. 9.
Details: (408) 367-7255.
***
Anyone who saw Rodgers and Hammerstein 1958 original “Flower Drum Song” on Broadway will not recognize this musical. Playwright David Henry Hwang has revised, rewritten and updated with the blessing of the very sensitive Rodgers and Hammerstein organization.
The plot might be different, but Rodgers and Hammerstein’s always wonderfully, unmatchable words and music are intact and Hwang has used them well, fitting them into the right niche in this updated revival.
This “Flower Drum Song” tells the story of young, innocent Mei-Li, who flees communist China and lands in San Francisco as a refugee. Her journey takes her to her father’s best friend who runs a failing traditional Chinese opera theatre. His son Ta becomes the love interest and tries to change his father’s theatre to a nightclub. “A Hundred Million Miracles,” “Chop Suey,” “Sunday,” and “I Enjoy Being A Girl” are a part of this enjoyable score.
Under the crisp, detailed direction of Gabriel Barre, this production runs a bit too long but entertains.
Vince Pesce’s choreography is clever and melds into the mood of the piece. Gregg Barne’s costumes are dazzling and a pleasure to observe. Sets by Robin Wagner, lighting by Karen Spahn and pristine sound by Hage Van Dijk are all first rate and add to making this a sharp, well done production.
As always musical director William Liberatore pulls it all together with his fine conducting of musicians that sound like an orchestra on Broadway.
“Flower Drum Song” is a meeting of East and West and with all the drama, comedy and music, there is subtle, serious string of truth of what the first and second generation Chinese Americans went through to get the respect, regard and success they so well deserve.
‘Flower Drum Song’
Where: San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, 255 Almaden Blvd.
When: 8 p.m. Tuesday – Saturday; 2 p.m. Saturday; 1 p.m. & 6:30 p.m. Sunday; through Nov. 9
Details: (408) 453-7108.
