Joel is a famous author who shies
away from publicity, an alumnus of the university where Carolyn is a
graduate student. She is a great admirer of Joel Gordon who happens to be
the subject of her PhD. The correspondence evolves after Carolyn is asked
by the university to contact Joel with an invitation to the school to
accept an honorary award. Naturally, he declines, but Carolyn does not
give up on him and writes to him again. Finding her persistence worthy of
his interest, Joel responds, and from then on their correspondence becomes
more lengthy, more probing, and friendlier. It becomes "Dear Joel" and
Dear Carolyn" rather than "Dear Mr. Gordon" and "Dear Ms Meyers." When the
questions from Carolyn arise from an unpublished book written by Joel, the
title of which is Roses In December, Carolyn discovers that Joel and her
parents were classmates together at the university, and there is much to
uncover about their relationships. Eventually, Carolyn learns a great deal
about her family, but "all's well that ends well" when Carolyn and Joel
write their final letters.
I suppose it can be a problem
with any play that is written with two people communicating on stage
through letters. It has been done by other playwrights. But it can become
a bit frustrating to hear "Dear Carolyn" and "Dear Joel" being repeated
after each "monologue." However, Moorman carries her role with just the
right emphasis and energy. Ohlson, a long-time member of Theatre 40, who
has appeared in many of their productions, is resolute in his performance
as Gordon, but on opening night, he faltered over several lines.
Roses In December plays Thursdays
through Saturdays at 8 PM, Sundays at 2 PM, in Theatre 40's Reuben Cordova
Theatre, 241 Moreno Drive in Beverly Hills. It will continue through
Sunday, December 18, 2011. Tickets can be purchased on line at
www.theatre40.org,
or by telephone at (310) 364-0535.
Comments? Write to us at:
Letters@ReviewPlays.Com
Photo by: Ed Krieger
