Total Rating: 
***
Opened: 
June 22, 1999
Ended: 
June 26, 1999
Country: 
USA
State: 
New Jersey
City: 
Montclair
Company/Producers: 
Summerfun Theater
Theater Type: 
Regional
Theater: 
Weiss Arts Center
Genre: 
Solo Comedy-Drama Bio
Author: 
William Luce
Director: 
Russell Ratsch
Review: 

Barrymore is a tour de force for an accomplished actor, who gets to play John Barrymore at the end of his career and life.  It requires a performer of considerable talents.  Since William Luce's play ran on Broadway with Christopher Plummer (in a Tony-winning performance), Dennis Parlato has a tough act to follow.  Yet he surprises and delights as the dissolute, charming and great thespian. A veteran of the Summerfun Company some years back, Parlato has gone on to several Broadway musicals. 

Returning to Montclair as John Barrymore, he establishes himself as an actor of considerable range and merit.  The only other role, the unseen prompter, is well played by Ronald F. Mulligan. The end result is a credible audience pleaser.

Cast: 
Dennis Parlato
Technical: 
Set: Wade Sammis; Lighting: Hideaki Tsutsui; Costumes: Jessica Byrd Watters.
Critic: 
Donald Collester
Date Reviewed: 
June 1999