In different cultures and different times, change and progress are guaranteed to plant the seeds of family conflict.
As children grow, they play out time-tested scripts of rebellion and defiance that manage to seem fresh and raw, even as they repeat through every generation. Parents forbid progressive attitudes and unapproved behaviors, while children find parents stifling and resist their influence. Stories of intergenerational growing pains are so universal that they can veer dangerously toward triteness.
Savyon Liebrecht’s award-winning script, “Apples from the Desert,” isn’t the first to tell a story like this from a Jewish perspective, but Liebrecht has crafted the story artfully.
In “Apples,” Reuven (Albert Banker) embodies patriarchal tradition by tightly clenching his fists and his family’s purse strings. His wife, Victoria (Carol Bloom), and her sister Sarah (Pamela Vanderpool) are able to sidestep his threatening presence, but his daughter Rivka (Megan Hatch) is not as easily subdued.
Rivka’s involvement with the progressive influences of a secular male friend (Michael Boyer) pushes the tension in the family to its breaking point. As she attempts to escape her father’s unbending reign, the whole family discovers what love and change have to do with strength and tradition.
What might set this telling of these well-worn themes apart from others is that “Apples from the Desert” focuses on the transformation of the parents as much, if not more, than the transformation of the child. The unexpected changes that follow the challenges endured by Reuven and Victoria make the story more lasting than one of successful teenage rebellion.
Another strength of the story, enforced by the casting choices made by Theater Or in this production, is the unique, underground support structure that the women provide for one another.
This strength is inspiring, and most apparent in Pamela Vanderpool’s performance as the sharply independent Sarah, who despite a hunched physical presence, has the most commendable backbone of the three.
Vanderpool’s comic timing is impeccable and uncontrived, and she confidently delivers the most natural performance of the bunch. Carol Bloom’s wise, warm and timid Victoria achieves a simplicity that makes easy sense of a complex character, torn by allegiance to her husband and love for her daughter.
As the rebellious Rivka, Megan Hatch is more convincing when she is alight with joy and freedom than when she is afire with rage and defiance, but her performance is ultimately convincing.
Michael Boyer brings a goofy and lovable spirit to the sincere and dedicated Dooby, who leads Rivka toward the future while demonstrating respect for her family’s values. His mild nature is countered by the stern and domineering Reuven, played with puzzling incoherence by Albert Banker.
Banker’s forceful, staccato line delivery lends an unnatural force to the character that reads as discomfort rather than anger or authority. The effects of his rage, which are necessary to drive the plot forward, are more aptly demonstrated by the reactions of the women onstage than by the authenticity of his outbursts.
The design team at Theater Or wisely exercised restraint in bringing this metaphor-laden piece to life, employing an efficient, dust-colored set with bright red accents, designed by Tina Anderson. The other design elements are attractive and appropriate to the storytelling, and fit well into the intimate space in the Pluss Theater.
“Apples from the Desert” might not break new ground, but it has deep, relatable roots. The play’s sensitive handling, especially by the women in capable company, make it a warm, worthwhile offering from Theater Or.
Kateri McRae, an assistant professor at the University of Denver, is the “she” half of the “He Said/She Said Critiques,” which can be found at . E-mail: katerimcrae@gmail.com
“Apples from the Desert” **1/2 (out of four stars)
Drama. Presented by Theater Or at the Mizel Arts & Culture Center, 350 S. Dahlia St. Written by Savyon Liebrecht; directed by Terry Dodd. Through Nov. 6. 7:30 p.m. Thursdays Oct. 27 and Nov. 3; 8 p.m. Saturdays (except Oct. 8); 2 p.m. Sundays (3 p.m. on Oct. 23); $20-$25. 303-316-6360 or
This week’s best bet: “Ragtime” at the Lone Tree Arts Center
One of the greatest American musicals follows a Harlem musician, a WASP matriarch and a Jewish immigrant father in 1904 New York, while weaving in historic figures such as Harry Houdini, Booker T. Washington and Henry Ford. Based on E.L. Doctorow’s novel, “Ragtime” is a sweeping and volatile tale of love in an intolerant time. Note: This show has transferred from the Arvada Center for a two-week stay in Lone Tree through Oct. 16.
Showtimes: 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays; Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays; 1:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays; 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9; 1:30 p.m. only on Sunday, Oct. 16.
At the Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St., just west of Interstate 25 and Lincoln Avenue, 720-509-1000, lone tree’s home page and here’s
This week’s other theater openings
“Hair” The musical that created history by bringing rock ‘n’ roll to the theatrical stage, “Hair” defines the ’60s generation by examining a group of young adults struggling for generational and personal identity, dealing with the Vietnam War, drugs and teenage pregnancy. Songs include “Let the Sunshine In,” “Aquarius” and “Good Morning Starshine.” Some nudity. At the Buell Theatre, Denver Performing Arts Complex, 14th and Curtis streets, 303-893-4100 or and here’s and here’s and here’s and here’s
“I Am My Own Wife” Doug Wright’s Pulitzer-winner about a playwright fascinated with a real life German transvestite who somehow survived both the Nazi and Communist regimes. Through Sunday. Presented by the Stage Left Theatre at the Salida Steamplant Theatre, 300 W. Sackett, 719-539-8539 or
“Making a Killing” The Mercury Cafe’s “Allied Witches” return for their annual Halloween political tragicomedy that marks the beginning of winter. Through Oct. 31. 2199 California St., 303 294-9258 or
“Meet Me in St. Louis” Four Smith daughters learn lessons in life and love as they prepare for a reluctant move to New York just before the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. Songs include “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” Through Oct. 16. Presented by Performance Now at the Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 S. Allison Parkway, 303-987-7845 7845 or performancenow
“Night of the Living Dead” The Bug Theatre’s fourth annual hybrid live re-make of George Romero’s 1968 zombie classic. Through Oct. 29. 3654 Navajo St., 303-477-9984, or
“Nunsense” Can you believe those five zany nuns from Hoboken are still trying to raise money to bury their felled fellow sisters, done in by tainted soup? Through Oct. 16. Presented by the Steel City Theatre Company at Central High School, 216 E. Orman Ave., Pueblo, 719-994-8298 or
“The Road to Mecca” The Creede Repertory Theatre returns to the the Arvada Center starting Tuesday with Athol Fugard’s celebrated play about an eccentric artist who transforms her home into a strange and wonderful work of art. But both her home and her reluctance to enter an old-age home are unsettling to her traditional South African community. Through Nov. 6. 6901 Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada, 720-898-7200 or
“The Tempest” This innovative interpretation of Shakespeare’s stormy tale is a post-modern mashup with music inspired by the Flaming Lips, Arcade Fire, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Death Cab for Cutie, Radiohead and more. Through Oct. 22. Presented by Naropa University’s masters candidates at the Performing Arts Center, 2130 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder. 303-245-4798.
“To Kill a Mockingbird” Stage adaptation of Harper Lee’s coming-of-age tale of a Southern tomboy who experiences the wrongs of racial injustice. Through Oct. 30. Presented by the Denver Center Theatre Company at the Stage Theatre, 14th and Curtis streets, 303-893-4100 or
“The Unexpected Guest” A twisty mystery in which a motorist stranded near the South Welsh coastline finds a woman standing with a gun in her hand over the dead body of her husband. Through Oct. 30. Presented by the Cherry Creek Theatre at the Shaver Ramsey Showroom, 2414 E. Third Ave., 303-800-6578 or
“The Vagina Monologues” Eve Ensler’s interviews with more than 200 women are the basis of this three-woman, communal celebration of women. Tuesdays only. Through Oct. 25. 73rd Avenue Theatre Company, 7287 Lowell Blvd., Westminster, 720-276-6936 or
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