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‘Southern Comforts’ @ Theatrical Outfit
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
THEATER REVIEW. Grade: C+
Kathleen Clark’s “Southern Comforts” is a valentine to autumnal romance. Anyone who has trouble dealing with the idea that Grandma or Grandpa has fallen in love — or, heaven forbid, lust — will find this Theatrical Outfit production a healthy endorsement of senior-citizen hookups.
Gus Klingman (Steve Coulter) is a retired New Jersey stonemason, a Republican and a man with a brooding nature. Amanda Cross (Jill Jane Clements) is a widow from the Tennessee mountains, a Democrat and a cackler. But after a sip or two of scotch — “I find it helps my arthritis,” Amanda says — they sense that they would be happier together than apart.
So before you know it, a big moving van pulls up, and Gus’ sparsely furnished home is filled with books, furniture and rugs. Inevitably, there are a few rough spots as the partners contemplate their future.
Directed by Robert J. Farley, Clark’s loosely autobiographical play about her grandmother is a lot more sentimental than insightful. The performances are likable enough — though Clements slathers on the feminine charm to broad extremes and Coulter seems a bit young to be playing a man in his 70s.
In the end, “Southern Comforts” rarely surprises or provokes, but it makes a perfect excuse for an evening of hand-holding.
THE 411: 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays. 2:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Through Feb. 23. $25. Theatrical Outfit, Balzer Theater at Herren’s, 84 Luckie St., Atlanta. 678-528-1500, theatricaloutfit.org.
BOTTOM LINE: Too sweet for its own good.
Comments
By Betty Hart
February 19, 2008 9:28 AM | Link to this
I couldn’t disagree more with Mr. Brock’s review. Southern Comforts is just that a comforting, reassuring look at love during a time when many seem to be cynical about love, romance and certainly about marriage.
This is a beautifully acted, directed and designed production. It is funny and the comedy is surprising as I didn’t expect to have much in common with people who are 30+ years my seniors.
The play is also surprising in that we in the audience switch allegiances from one character to the other because BOTH are being true.
I loved this production and the audience I saw it with LEPT to their feet to give it a much deserved ovation.
Go see this play if you want to see tour-de-force acting (Jill Jane Clemnents and Steve Coulter are two of Atlanta’s best actors), good writing, and solid direction (Bob Farley did a masterful job). Go see this play if you want to enjoy yourself and SEE yourself or certainly someone you know onstage.
And, of course, go see the play if you want to believe, even for only a little while, in the power of love. May we all be blessed with more love in our lives—and this play delivers just that.