I laughed so hard tears rolled down my cheeks, and that was just the first ten minutes of North Coast Rep's San Diego premiere of Tom Dudzick's Over the Tavern.
The apartment is over Chet's Bar and Grill in Buffalo, New York where the Pazinski family live. Chet Pazinski (Matt Thompson), a God-fearing Polish Catholic, received his basic education at St. Casimer's Catholic Elementary School. It is there that his children began their education. In fact, 12-year-old Rudy (Ian Brininstool) is a current student, even taking instruction from the same Sister Clarissa (Lynne Griffin) that taught Chet. She is old school. You know, robe hiding her knuckle-rapping ruler. She does what is necessary to instill the knowledge of the catechism in her students.
Whether you are Catholic or not, you've probably lived through or had friends who survived the tyranny of parochial school. Looking back on that period, we can usually find a lot to laugh about, but at the time it was terrifying. Or, if you were like so many of us, you revolted...and that got you in constant trouble. That is the case of Rudy. He, at such a young age, questions the theology. His older brother, Eddie (James Patterson), is always in trouble and relies on Rudy for the right answers. His older sister, Annie (Abbey Howe), is of the age where boys become important. In the olden days, the 50s, that was at 15 or 16 or even 17.
Thor Sigurdsson, fine as younger brother Georgie, is tasked with playing a mentally challenged youngster. Throughout most of the play, he is limited to one word. It was a bit shocking in the 50s but just a part of the common language today.
Mrs. Pazinski, Ellen (Courtney Corey), has another complex role. Ellen is the family stabilizer. As a mother she always balances the needs of her children with the continued frustration of her husband. Dad usually climbs the stairs from the bar to home tired and in a bad mood.
Dudzick has created highly believable characters. The dysfunction within the family seems quite normal. Each character has his own agenda, no matter what the age. Eddie is fast approaching adulthood. Highly emotional Annie is having a terrible attack of hormones and doesn't know what to do. So Ellen runs that fine line between a disciplinarian parent and compassionate mom. Chet is both physically and psychologically wounded. He is the leader of his tribe and doesn't let anybody forget it. Georgie is just struggling to find a balance in his life, a life he does not understand and isn't prepared for.
Yes, this is a comedy as well as a slice of life. Playwright Dudzick's use of the English language and Polish Roman Catholic culture is right on. His words often have double meanings. Sentences often end in punch lines without being jokes. He readily admits that Over the Tavern is somewhat autobiographical. This is why the characters ring true and Rudy is so believable.
Rudy is a 12-year-old adult in many ways. He has an intense curiosity. He attempts, in several delightful monologues, to communicate with Jesus Christ. He questions the church, meeting with the strictness of the good Sister Clarissa. He is extremely smart. He is both what can drive a parent to drink and, also, be a love because they know he is a discoverer of the truth.
Director David Ellenstein has worked his usual magic of casting both for excellence and look. The pacing of this production is almost perfect. (The younger actors do have to learn to hold a second longer so that laughter doesn't drown out follow-up lines.) There is also some slipping in and out of the Polish accents.
Marty Burnett's set is up to his usual perfect standards, even down to some rather expensive period wallpaper. Scenic artist John Finkbiner added just the right touches, and this old-timer reveled in Chris Luessmann's period sound track, with the audience rocking with Elvis and many others. Matt Novotny's lighting design is his usual crisp, clean and virtually shadowless work. Lynne Griffin created and/or found costumes that were believable. I actually went to a couple of old photo albums and saw some of the same designs. Bonnie Durben dressed and propped the show. She also pulled some hat tricks to find or create authentic-looking props.
I truly hope you have a chance to meet the Pazinski family and Sister Clarissa. What I haven't mentioned are delightful moments of human kindness and sweetness that transpire even as a laugh finally settles down. There is a moment between Sister Clarissa and Rudy that will stay with me for a long time.
A footnote: As we drove out of the parking lot, I turned on the radio to KPBS-FM. They were playing a long Mass that covered our trip back home.
