The Keegan Theatre’s production of “The Graduate” is an adaptation by Terry Johnson of Mike Nichols’ 1967 film and Charles Webb’s 1963 novel. If you have clear memories of the movie or the book, forget them. The premise and characters are alike, but Johnson’s drama is considerably different.
The play takes place in Southern California, 1966. Benjamin Braddock (Tom Carman) is the quintessential conflicted young man, returned from college to his parents’ home with no sense of where he’s going. Carman plays the character effectively as a person who knows only that he doesn’t want to go in the directions his parents want to push him.
Jane Petkofsky is well-cast in the role of Mrs. Braddock, who doesn’t understand her son at all, yet wants to plan his life out for him. Petkofsky has a light comic touch throughout but is especially delightful in a group therapy scene where she insists weepily she didn’t fail her son: if he wanted creamy, she gave him creamy, if he wanted crunchy, crunchy, etc.
Mr. Braddock (Slice Hicks) is totally out of touch with his son. The Braddock’s neighbor, Mr. Robinson (Colin Smith), is totally out of touch with his wife. When Mrs. Robinson (Sheri Herren) makes sexual overtures to Ben, then appears naked in his room, Ben’s first response is negative. But eventually he sets up an assignation, which leads to many more. Herren is excellent as the cool, detached seductress.
When Mr. Braddock insists that Ben take Mrs. Robinson’s college-age daughter on a date, Ben at first objects, then plans to make the date fail. Instead, he is drawn to Elaine Robinson (Jenny Donovan) and decides he wants to date her.
If you go
‘The Graduate’
Where: Church Street Theatre, 1742 Church St. NW
When: $25 to $30; 703-892-0202; keegantheatre.com
Info: 8 p.m. Thursday to Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday; through May 23
Under Kathleen Akerley’s careful direction, most of this “Graduate” makes sense even though it takes place at one remove from reality. But she directs Donovan to play Elaine with a super-shy, hypernervous attitude. It’s hard to believe that — even given her messed up parents — Elaine is of college age and that she and Ben feel attracted to each other. Even more disconcerting, there’s one essential reality that must exist to make the play credible: Elaine and Ben must have a chance to fall in love. Johnson’s play moves so swiftly from one scene to the next, his characters never become involved in meaningful conversations. That becomes a liability regarding Elaine’s and Ben’s relationship, as Johnson doesn’t provide enough time for them to really get connected. And that affects the end, when Ben insists that Elaine run off with him.
Eli Sibley is very funny as the Stripper. Kelly Peacock’s costume design is an entertaining step back into the florid designs that overwhelmed women’s fashions in the late 1960s. George Lucas’ effective set is made up of moving flats, all painted with great swirls of abstract pastel green, pink and gray shapes. Neil McFadden’s sound design incorporates some of the greatest rock ‘n’ roll hits ever written, not so subtly establishing the feel of the era.
