"A Thousand Clowns" is a disappointing romantic comedy that utilizes unremarkable, base humor.
The play, which opened this weekend at Studio Arena Theatre, features six nearly believable actors and comedy consisting mostly of funny voices and props. There are no actual clowns in the play, although the actors do place little red clown balls on their noses for the final bow.
The audience reacted moderately well, with weak applause between scenes, as if obligated, and only slightly better after the comparatively impressive finale.
The play, written in the 1960s by Herb Gardiner and directed by Jan Page, stays true to the '60s setting. Oddly enough, the comedic production has a rather dark storyline. The main focus consists of an out-of-work writer named Murray trying to raise the child of his deadbeat sister in New York City. The child, sometimes called Nick, is in danger of being put in foster care because his Uncle Murray is unable to provide a suitable environment.
The majority of the play is set in the squalor of the New York apartment that Murray and Nick call home. Three large paintings frame the sides and top of the stage, portraits of the New York cityscape illuminated, providing an image of the outside world, which is constantly being resisted by Murray. Clothing, records and other trinkets are strewn about the small, cluttered, one-room apartment done in dark patterned earth tones.
Every morning, as sunlight shines into the one-window apartment, Murray humorously sings "What a beautiful morning," as he opens the blinds to a view obstructed by a flat brick wall a few feet away.
Michael Milligan's performance as Murray, attempting to convey sarcastic enthusiasm and frustration, falls short of impressive. The actor's failure to deliver may be attributable to the writing, which simply isn't that funny for a modern audience.
Michael J. Dentico plays Nick, a remarkably insightful and intelligent 12-year-old who basically plays the role of parent to Murray in the beginning of the production. The roles eventually reverse however, when Murray is forced to grow up and take a job, even though he doesn't want one, and face the real world. Dentico's deliveries were simple and effective, typifying the perceptive observational humor of a youngster.
Christine Marie Brown plays Sandra Markowitz, a psychologist and social worker fresh out of grad school. She inevitably breaks down at the slightest mishap, sobbing hilariously over anything. Murray describes her at one point as a "marathon crier." Brown's performance was on par with Milligan's, not bad but not outstanding either.
Sandra, as one might expect, falls for Murray. Albert Amundson plays Stan Klimecko, a social worker and one-time counterpart of Sandra. Klimecko's performance as a nervous and twitchy anal prick is good, although his shaky hands and the extent of his nervousness might have been just a tad overdone.
Kevin Carolan plays Arnold Burns, Murray's well-dressed successful agent and well-meaning brother. When Murray finally wants a job, Arnold is the man he goes to see. Carolan does an excellent job portraying his character as a man who has come to accept society and the way the world works.
Brad Bellamy plays Leo Herman, the former employer of Murray, a self-loathing star of a children's television program where he dresses up as a chipmunk. Bellamy plays the part spectacularly, constantly down on himself, dropping his eyes and convinced that everyone hates him.
