In The Glass House, June Finfer explores ideas and concepts in architecture and in morality, giving us the most interesting work on the subject since Ayn Rand's "The Fountainhead." Fictionalizing the work of actual innovative architects Mies van der Rohe, (played by Harris Yulin, an actor with great presence and total immersion into the character - every moment is real and believable) and Philip Johnson (played by David Bishins, whose gravelly voice makes George C. Scott sound like Mel Tormé), Finfer gives us the ultimate conceiver, van der Rohe, and the ultimate borrower, Johnson, who, after getting the concept and mechanics of it from van der Rohe, beats him to the punch, building the first glass house.
With an intense, deep performance by Janet Zarish, plus Gina Nagy Burns rounding out the cast, the play's ideas about architecture and views of the world kept me engaged. The clean design by Jo Winiarski reflecting the spirit of that time (1945-55) and of van der Rohe's vision is award-level -- not for its complexity, but for its simple beauty. Fine lighting by Pamela Kupper and appropriate costumes by Valerie Marcus Ramshur enhance this excellent script which has nuances and surprises that keep the action flowing.
Anybody with any interest in architecture (or in seeing first class Theatre) will enjoy The Glass House.
