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| John Rubinstein - Photos by Pierre Lumiere |
by Joe Straw
I met John Rubinstein about 44 years ago when he walked through the backstage door at The Pantages Theatre.
Fresh out of college, I managed to negotiate my way to being the doorman. I greeted everyone, made sure their names were on the list, and then moved them to the wings. Someone else took them onto the stage to sing (usually sixteen bars) before the words…
“Thank you!”, were uttered.
On this day Rubinstein was auditioning for Oklahoma! a 1979 tryout before its Broadway run.
William Hammerstein the director, and Milton Rosenstock the musical director position themselves in the orchestra seats in front of the stage slightly weary from listening to hundreds of actors on this day.
And when it was his time to start, Rubinstein must have seen the show because, with hands on his hips, he started singing in the off left wings, much in the same way Lawrence Guittard performed as Curly.
“There’s a bright golden haze on the meadow. There’s a bright golden haze on the meadow.”
From the orchestra seats, I heard Hammerstein shout “Who the devil is singing?!
I held back a laugh and walked away.
The shadows of my memory today are not entirely clear but the one thing I remembered – John’s voice - it was a beautiful sonorous sound that filled the cavernous recesses of The Pantages Theatre. This was a talent to watch, and in hindsight I wasn’t wrong.
One usually doesn’t go to a one person show. At least two actors engaged in meaningful dialogue and changing their relationship though the course of a conflicted night always hits the right spot. But, after viewing hundreds of performances of one actor on stage, and not entirely convinced, I wondered how all of this would work.
Theatre West & New LA Repertory Company presents the world premiere of Eisenhower: This Piece of Ground by Richard Hellesen and directed by Peter Ellenstein at the Hudson Theatre through January 22, 2023.
A telephone rings, and rings until Eisenhower (John Rubinstein) manages to wrangle the beast.
Eisenhower answers to find his friend Kevin McCann his former speech writer and the writer of Eisenhower’s biography “Man From Abilene” (1952) discussing an article written by Arthur M. Schlesinger Sr. about his ranking of 22 out of 35 presidents. (Pretty low considering.) And Eisenhower’s quick temper has got him steaming under the collar.
From his home, looking at the luscious green pastures of his farm in Gettysburg Pennsylvania in 1962, Eisenhower contemplates his biography concerning his presidency. He is under pressure to get the information down on tape and with Mamie, his wife, on an errand and the house to himself he turns on the tape recorder and starts espousing.
That was probably was the best way to go – a steady stream of consciousness – that can be, at the end of the day, manipulated on paper to their satisfaction.
Richard Hellesen, the writer, gives us a self-reflecting man seven years before the end of his life. The contemplation in his private life brings us a man who, at this point in his life, does not want to discuss the war, or his personal life that would bring his emotional life to the forefront. Rather he would like to talk about the good he has done for the nation, and express his feelings for his adversaries, particularly Schlesinger. All of this is done on tape, speaking volubly so that nothing important is left without record. Eisenhower: This Piece of Ground is a remarkable work of art and entrancing from the moment Eisenhower enters to the moment he settles in harmony.
One important moment in Peter Ellenstein direction is the projection of Ida Stover Eisenhower’s wedding photograph. She is Dwight David’s mother and believed to be a woman of mixed race, and all traces of her lineage online have conveniently been omitted. There is a significant story line here that has not been touched. It is an open avenue that may have moved Eisenhower to his policy of desegregation. Giving the character a deeper emotional commitment, his invidious position told from his perspective, and addressing that policy to counter the seditious cries of the angry white Americans. Also, left off the table (downstage right) is a neglected deck of playing cards symbolic of his love for Bridge and with that his determination for winning. Naytheless, Ellenstein’s direction is flawless, and the play is captivating from the beginning to the end. “I loved my dad.”, is an emotional reflection and is one of the finest moments you will see on any stage in Los Angeles.
John Rubinstein, complete with Mid-Western drawl captures the essence of Dwight David Eisenhower. It is a superb performance of a man now beyond the spotlight and dealing with unseen publishers to get a book finished and there is that time element. But the thing that really gets to the heart of the matter is his confessions in life. Those memories sting and they also elevate the man who contemplates the decisions he had to make for his sake and for the sake of his country. It makes for a very fine night of theatre, Rubinstein has left an indelible impression, and he is remarkable in the role.
Rubinstein was playing to a standing room only crowd at The Hudson Theatre. How remarkable is it to have an accomplished actor, a Tony Award Winner (Children of a Lesser God) performing 10 feet in front of you in a small theatre giving his best, night after night. Forty-four years later, his voice is still strong and clear, and the work is still impressive.
In Los Angeles no one does it alone. These are the people who worked to get this production up on its feet. They are as follows:
Joe Huppert – Projection and Sound Design
Pierre Viulleumier – Det Design Concept
Esquire Jauchem – Lighting Design
Ernest McDaniel – Stage Manager
Doug Spesert – Costume Design
Alicia Maccarone – Creative Consultant
Court Rhodes – Stage Manager
Madison Chmielewski – Assistant Stage Manager
Malcolm Wilson – Technical Supervisor
Eugene J. Hutchins - Theatre West Managing Director
Peter Ellenstein – New LA Rep, Producing Artistic Director
Dough Haverty – Graphics
Sandra Kuker – Publicist
Jacks McLaughlin – Social Media Director
Anne Taplin – Property Manager
Run! Run! Run! And take a history professor. This always makes for good conversation on your way home.
Online Tickets: www.onstage411.com/eisenhoweror www.newlarep.org
Donations: www.newlarep.org