Prime Stage Theater is opening its 25th season with the premiere of Randy Bowser’s one-act rendition of Karloff: The Man and The Monster.
Reviewed by Megan Grabowski
Paying homage to the 90th anniversary of Old Hollywood’s Frankenstein, the play uncovers the mystique of Boris Karloff, a name now synonymous with Dr. Frankenstein’s monster.
Once upon a time, an Englishman with a ‘fire in the belly’ for acting was ‘in the right place at the right time’ and got his big break. After 80 credited and non-credited roles, he changed his name from William Pratt to Boris Karloff, becoming one of American cinema’s most notable performers.
In his Prime Stage debut, David Nackman portrays Karloff, illustrating his rise to fame using simple and well-suited props. The 90- minute performance spans the meager beginnings of a young English boy with a lisp and stutter through mastering the iconic stiff-legged monster shuffle, to owning grandly gestured Broadway bows, and the gracious acceptance of being typecast over several decades in the business. Karloff: The Man and The Monster is speckled with recognition of Hollywood notables, Chaney, Lugosi, and Jack Pierce, the formation of the Screen Actors Guild, working throughout the height of McCarthyism and the evolution of television, making this play a short lesson in American cinema and media as much as a portrait of the life of Karloff.
Directed by local veteran thespian Art DeConciliis. Nackman orchestrates relaxed movements encompassing the adventures and turmoil which afflicted Karloff during the Golden Age of Hollywood. Throughout the evolution of Karloff’s career, Nackman brings Karloff’s journey to life, showcasing his artistic and familial nature, from struggling actor wanting to provide for his family to falling under “the magical spell of live theater”.
Most notable is Nackman’s exceptional skill to sustain his accent for the duration of his performance, along with the ease in which he showcases the professional and personal side of Karloff’s essence through humor and compassion. In the words of Karloff, “how not to be a boogie man.”
Prime Stage Theater’s home is located in The New Hazlett Theater. The lobby provides plenty of space for social distancing as well as a thoughtful book exchange. The theatre follows CDC mandates to keep staff and guests safe and comfortable.
Next Friday’s performance is followed by a post-show discussion which includes virtual appearances by playwright Bowser and Sara Karloff, Boris Karloff’s daughter. Admittance to the discussion is included with your ticket.
Karloff: The Man and The Monster runs weekends through November 14th. For tickets visit: https://newhazletttheater.org/events/karloff-the-man-and-the-monster/
Categories: Reviews
Megan, I’m so glad you enjoyed the show. Your review is much appreciated – I hope patrons help Prime Stage make the transition from shuttered during the pandemic to once again bursting with great entertainment. I’m honored Prime has started its new season with play, KARLOFF.