Working-Class Heroes
Actor Ken Beider redeems Beowulf Alley's dark tale about dockworkers
by Laura C.J. OwenHorovitz has a sharp ear for a certain kind of fast-paced, working-class banter...
Beider also handles the role of Philly, and it's a treat to watch him create a new character halfway through the evening. An eccentric businessman, Philly wears his hair slicked back and insists on keeping his sunglasses on when inside. ("Light-sensitive," he claims.) Costumer David Swisher puts him in a suit with a few garish touches: a yellow shirt and purple socks. The outfit works, reflecting Philly's odd mixture of savvy, sensitivity and cruelty. Philly hates his father, yet takes advice from Oprah on forgiveness; he's manipulative, with deep-running loyalties and hatreds...
Ken Beider, Anthony Saccocio, Hal Melfi and Jim Ambrosek in Sins of the Mother.
Ambrosek as Dubbah has the least to do. He manages, however, to pull off a difficult task for an actor, which is to listen and react. During Philly's long monologue, Ambrosek's reactions add a painful realism to the scene...But Beider's performance is a great match between actor and script, bringing out the dark humor and pathos of the play. For nurturing this performance, director Flynn and Beowulf Alley deserve praise. READ THE ENTIRE REVIEW HERE: http://www.tucsonweekly.com/tucson/working-class-heroes/Content?oid=3349690