Church Hill Theatre will open its 2010 season with Herb Gardner’s “I’m Not Rappaport!” An ensemble cast of characters grapple with the universal themes of isolation, fear, obsolescence, and the innate hunger for camaraderie. Directed by Michael C. Whitehill, Gardner’s Tony Award winning script delivers a set of the particular creatures that are distinctly New Yorkers, but are the everymen that occupy park benches all over the world.
“Rappaport!” takes place in the shadow of a bridge in Central Park, where two octogenarians, one white, Nat Moyer, and one black, Midge Carter, meet regularly, determined to fight off all attempts to put them out to pasture. Nat’s daughter Clara, played by regional theatre favorite Rena Cherry Brown, is urging him into an old folk’s home. Midge, a half-blind building superintendent who spends his days in the park hiding both from his disgruntled tenants and his past, is about to lose his job and home. Tenant representative Peter Danforth, played by CHT favorite Chris Rogers, tracks Midge down in the park to hand him his walking papers.As Nat and Midge share their Central Park bench, these cantankerous heroes square off against drug dealers, enlightened children, posh tenants and, ultimately, time itself.
Nat is played by Charles “Pat” Patterson who recently appeared in CHT’s “Driving Miss Daisy” and “Of Mice and Men.” Midge, played by Ray Randall, will be remembered for his powerful, tender portrayal of Hoke in CHT’s “Driving Miss Daisy.” Rounding out the cast are Jon Hodgson returning to the CHT stage as the drug dealer known as the Cowboy; and Gunston Day School student Natalie Clemens’ debuts as Laurie, the young artist trying to turn from the Cowboy’s influence to the world of art
It is a refreshing comedy that is sometimes hilarious and sometimes poignant, but always enjoyable. Make reservations to see the show which runs from Friday, February 26 through Sunday, March 14. Performances begin at 8 pm on Thursdays and Fridays, 2pm on Sundays. Call the CHT office at 410-758-1331 or make reservations online at www.churchhilltheatre.org.
Write a Letter to the Editor on this Article
We encourage readers to offer their point of view on this article by submitting the following form. Editing is sometimes necessary and is done at the discretion of the editorial staff.