About seven years ago, under the adapting pen of Terry Johnson, The Graduate, the Sixties hit film, entered the stage. Currently Chula Vista's OnStage offering, the production has many high points. The script has both high points and blunders.
The stage version of The Graduate opens almost line for line as the film. For some reason, Johnson, who also directed the original production, adds scenes that don't help the story. He also adds a nude scene for the actress playing Mrs. Robinson. OnStage's version is very discreet, allowing the lovely Kaly McKenna to maintain a limited amount of modesty.
For the two of you who missed the movie, heavydrinking Mrs. Robinson seduces young college graduate Benjamin Braddock (Daniel Zisko), her friend's son. This becomes an ongoing relationship. Ben is forced to date the Robinsons' daughter, Elaine (Rhianna Cultrona). He falls in love with her. Thus the plot thickens.
Elaine is supposed to feel inferior to the intellectual Ben. Yet, she is a near-vegetarian feminist who has traveled. Her character is false. Her relationship with her mother is supposed to be one of almost a non-relationship, yet she gets drunk with her mother. This makes for a funny scene, but, again, totally out of character.
Finally, Johnson incorporates a therapy session of the Braddock family that doesn't advance the plot. In spite of Johnson's interpretation, The Graduate is still a very funny show and Director Zisko b rings out all of the humor available in the script.
McKenna's Mrs. Robinson is right-on. She is the lover in charge, she is the mother in charge, and the only time she's not in charge is when she's drunk.
Director Daniel Zisko stepped into the lead after losing the man he had cast. He creates a believable Ben Braddock, although I did hear a few Dustin Hoffmanisms. Rhianna Cultrona pulls off a delightful Elaine, overcoming much of writer Johnson's obvious errors.
James R. Steinberg, as Ben's father dealing with a problem son, handles his assignment quite well. Elizabeth Mander-Wilson, as Ben's mother, makes a perfect mom. Jerry Young, as the very much offended Mr. Robinson, may just need a straight-jacket after every performance. His rage at Ben is down right scary. Well, the large axe he carries helps the image.
Nathan Plummer (Desk Clerk, Barman, and Priest) give seach of his characters a special touch. Paul Schaeffer (Man in Bar, Psychiatrist) has little to say. As a drunk he nods his head, and as a Psychiatrist, he has only a repeated phrase -- all done with aplomb.
Ericka Zepeda is virtually silent as a receptionist, although she does say quite a bit with her eyes in the hotel-lobby scene. Even as a stripper, her eye-dialogue is more telling than any words.
The set, designed by Zisko and Scott Hartman, consists of eight doors and a panel used to slide a bed in and out. It makes for easy changes in this multi-location play but needs more suggestions of the various locations. The director's lighting design helps, though. Gary Brengle's sound sets the '60s mood nicely. Costumers Teri Brown and Rhianna Cultrona do a good job of clothing and unclothing the cast.
The Graduate brings back fond memories of the film. It's too bad the playwright messes up a good thing. However, the cast overcomes all to offer a solid, funny performance. Seeing Young in mock rage is worth the price of the ticket.
