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Theater Review Labor Issues Center Stage in ‘Waiting for Lefty’ During the One Year That Actor Clif- by Marty Pistone

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Theater Review Labor Issues Center Stage in ‘Waiting for Lefty’ During the One Year That Actor Clif- by Marty Pistone 8 Daily Post Saturday, Saturday, Aug. August 13, 13,2016 2016 Daily Post Theater Review Labor issues center stage in ‘Waiting for Lefty’ During the one year that actor Clif- by Marty Pistone. There is lots of ford Odets was a member of the Com- high-temperature anger. The acting is munist Party, he wrote his famous play strong. “Waiting for Lefty.” Only 50 minutes Austin Caldwell portrays a desper- long, the play is framed around con- ate cabbie struggling to support his tentious meetings in which New York family. Thomas Freeland is the fat cat City cab drivers are trying to decide union secretary, who discourages a whether to go on strike or not. strike in favor of letting party leaders Staged in 1935 by New York’s negotiate with business owners. legendary Group Theatre, “Waiting for Tess McCarthy plays an angry wife Lefty” struck a nerve. who calls her husband a sucker for not Soon hundreds of pro- insisting on higher wages. “The world ductions of the play ap- is supposed to be for all of us,” she peared in small theaters reminds him. around the country. On Thursday, Stan- Thoughtful play ford Repertory The- “Waiting for Lefty” is an ode to John ater (SRT) opened a America’s uncertain future. In this strong production of election year, it invites a review of Angell RAUCOUS LABOR MEETING — Joe (Austin Caldwell), right foreground, and Grant this 50-minute curi- the nature of work, and the nature of osity at the Nitery, on other members of the cast of “Waiting for Lefty.” Photo by Frank Chen. compensation. the Stanford campus. In October, just before the upcom- SRT’s theme this summer is, “Theater plant promotes an employee into a “Waiting for Lefty” resonates today. ing presidential election, SRT will takes a stand.” Both this play, and last confi dential research project for the Its characters are working people who present another show, “Democrati- month’s “Slaughter City,” are stage manufacture of poison military gas. don’t earn enough to live on. (Sound cally Speaking.” This staged reading works about union organizing in a Warfare technology turns out to be a familiar?) Palo Alto’s planning com- features an interplay of voices on time of economic decline. big money maker. (Sound familiar?) mission member Kate Downing made democracy, including Thomas Paine, Odets was the most famous play- international headlines this week by Jean-Jacques Rousseau, John Adams, Heated meeting wright to come out of the Group resigning her position to move her Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, “Waiting for Lefty” begins and ends Theatre, whose members included family to Santa Cruz, because she Rosa Luxemburg, Mahatma Gandhi, during a raucous labor union meeting. Elia Kazan, Lee Strasberg, Stella cannot afford to live in Palo Alto. Martin Luther King, Noam Chomsky, Some union members support striking, Adler, John Garfi eld, Lee J. Cobb, and many others. others oppose it. There is Red-baiting. Sanford Meisner and many others who Excellent production One heavy needs a baseball bat to achieved fame. Stylistically, “Waiting for Lefty” is For tickets and information about keep order in the room. Odets was a member of the com- written in bombastic tough-guy Hol- all SRT events, visit stanfordreptheater. Between these opening and clos- munist party from 1934 to 1935. He lywood dialogue of the time. While it com. ing union scenes are other vignettes, later named names during the McCa- feels stylized, the current Stanford pro- featuring new characters and new rthy hearings. He went on to have a duction is so well done, that stylization John Angell Grant is the Daily storylines, but all focusing on econom- working career as a Hollywood screen becomes part of its amusing charm. Post’s theater critic. Email him at ic issues. In one, a boss at a chemical writer. The show is very well directed [email protected]. 30% Off Swimsuits! In store now for a limited time only! All Swimsuits from: Speedo Nike Last week of Dolfin Sale Way Funky AquaSphere* *Reg. priced suits excluding team suits and elite racing suits. 526 Waverley St. Palo Alto CA, 94301 r5PZBOETQPSUDPN.
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