**** Highly Recommended If you can only see one play this fall in Chicago, Kowalski should be the one. This play is definitely in my list of top five plays of the year. The casting was spot on, the set perfect, and Greg Ostrin’s story drew me right in! 4 BIG Spotlights
Although The Glass Menagerie was a success, playwright Tennessee Williams (Johnny Galecki) – call me Tom – has a lot of angst about his new play. Pacing and fidgeting in the living room of his summer home in Provincetown, he waits for his dear friend, Margo Jones (Alison Cimmet - Paige Eva Cilluffo at my performance) – a successful director in her own right – to finish reading the script.
Johnny Galecki & Alison Cimmet. Photo by Michael Broslow.
By the way, Galecki entirely occupies the part of Williams, physically and emotionally. He uses his entire body to express emotions – excitement, irritation, even seduction. It helps that he looks a lot like Williams, especially since he even has wispy curls.
When Margo delivers her verdict, that the play is perfect, he heaves a sigh of relief but then immediately needs reassurance. As they discuss possible casting decisions, Margo reveals her plan to direct, but he’s already lined up someone else, which leads to a small tiff.
When Pancho (Reece Dos Santos), Williams’ boy toy, bursts in demanding drinks and an outing, he’s more than annoyed, since he’s waiting for an actor to arrive for an audition. When Pancho continues to push, Margo volunteers to go out for drinks with him.
Johnny Galecki & Jacob Moskovitz. Photo by Michael Broslow.
When no one answers the door, Marlon Brando (Jacob Moskovitz) lets himself in and grabs a beer. When Williams comes back into the room, he grabs a cast-iron skillet to defend himself against this intruder, but eventually they calm down and figure it out.
Brando is young, hungry and intensely ambitious. Their back-and-forth getting-to-know-you interlude is one of the best parts of the play. Especially when Brando decides to fix the toilet, the fuse box and the sticking door.
When Jo (Ellie Ricker), Brando’s friend he’d left at the bus station, bursts in, she’s in immediate awe at seeing Tennessee Williams, who decides to flirt with her. When Margo and Pancho return, she transfers some of that awe to Margo.
Johnny Galecki, Alison Cimmet, Ellie Ricker & Jacob Moskovitz. Photo by Michael Broslow.
Kowalski has been extended through November 8th at Lookingglass Theatre Company at the historic Water Tower Water Works, 163 E. Pearson Street at Michigan Avenue, Chicago. Discounted parking is available at 875 N. Michigan, The Olympia Centre Self Park and Water Tower Place. Validate parking ticket at Lookingglass Box Office.
Running time is approximately 90 minutes, no intermission. Performances: Tuesdays & Thursdays at 7:00 pm; Wednesdays at 2:00 & 7:00 pm; Fridays at 7:30 pm; Saturdays at 2:00 & 7:30 pm; Sundays at 2:00. Tickets: $37-$97. FYI (312) 337-0665 or https://lookingglasstheatre.org/plays/kowalski/