The Road to Mecca
I wanted to love this piece. I really did. I had high hopes, as I settled into my seat, that this would be a great night of theater.
Given the author of the play, the highly esteemed Athol Fugard, the subject matter circulating about so many important and interesting themes, from apartheid to issues concerning aging and independence, friendship and trust, and women who take a stand, and the three actors, who are all accomplished and quite wonderful.
Sadly, all of the elements above simply did not gel.
The Road to Mecca tells the story of an elderly woman who has spent the years since her husband’s death transforming her home into an intricate and dazzling work of art. The reclusive Miss Helen (Rosemary Harris) has become depressed and appears increasingly unable to care for herself. Pastor Marius Byleveld, who embodies the village’s conservative values, is determined to get Miss Helen into an old-age home. Her friend Elsa (Carla Gugino), a young teacher from Cape Town who is deeply suspicious of the patriarchal traditions Byleveld represents, is just as determined that Miss Helen remain free.
The first act showcases the fabulous Rosemary Harris and Carla Gugino, but it is heavily, heavily text laden with little action. It is long and laborious and difficult to remain invested in the material. The woman to my right was gently snoring while I could sense the audience feeling burdened by the spoken word haze. At the end of Act 1, other than lamenting the length and need for editing, my two positive comments were, “great set” and “very impressive that Ms. Harris and Ms. Gugino handled so much dialogue." Not a great sign.
Photo credit: Joan Marcus
At intermission, two women in front of us (one who flew in from Wisconsin to see the play!) were most entertainting. “It’s no use pretending,” one of them said to the rest of their party. “You’re all sleeping!”
Never one to leave until the end of a play (see an earlier article about people leaving the theater at intermission), I was hopeful that things might pick up in the 2nd act.
They did, thanks to the new energy that Jim Dale brings with him as he arrives on the scene. He is a masterful actor, and his South African accent is impeccable. Now the play had some life with this new character. But at the end of the show, the performers were appreciated for their hard work and outstanding performances with polite and respectful applause. Nothing more.
Although The Road to Mecca won the 1988 Drama Critic’s Circle Award for Best Foreign Play when it was produced off-Broadway, my feeling is that this is a fine piece of literature to read, at your own pace. For me, it simply did not work as a play.
This production of Road to Mecca begins Athol Fugard’s 80th birthday celebration.
Cue the bagpipes!
Now on to a unique culinary experience to enjoy in the dead of Winter.
Generally, the only food stories you read about in January concern Superbowl meals. Chili, Chicken Wings, Baked Pasta. Pretty run of the mill post-holiday fare.
How about celebrating a great Scottish poet with a traditional Scottish meal at a new Italian bistro in Chelsea, run by two Scottish-Italians? Yes, my friend, it's time for Robert Burns night on January 25th at Incognito Bistro!
In case you did not know, Robert Burns (1759-1796) is Scotland's most famous poet and a national Hero.
He is celebrated in Scotland on the anniversary of his birth (Jan. 25th) known as Burns Night - where Haggis and Scotch is the tradition. His statue is in Central Park in The Mall and Literary Walk.
At Incognito a special menu will be offered, with Scotch (natch!) as the drink of choice, and you can see what all the Haggis fuss is about!
Scottish-Italian executive chef/owner Paolo Montana and his lovely Scottish-Italian wife (really!) Adriana Moretti have created this
fun menu!
Burns Supper $65
Whiskey toast
*
Scotch Broth
*
Haggis Gateaux
haggis, neeps, tatties,
*
Scottish Salmon
asparagus risotto
*
Roast Beef
gravy, mash potatoes, brussel sprouts
*
Cranachan
*
Coffee
You may want to know about the history of Italians in Scotland.
The real influx of Italians into Scotland came around the 1890s, looking for a better life, with even more during World War 1 (about 4,000). Glasgow (the largest city in Scotland) hosts the 3rd largest community of Italians in the UK with a steady flow of migration between the two countries.
So get the kilt or tartan plaid out, and enjoy a winter's meal celebrating Scots...and Italians! (Their regular Italian menu will also be available, should the Haggis not entice you.)
Incognito Bistro is on 18th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues.
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a 5 time Billboard Magazine Award winner, is perhaps best known for her unprecedented success holding the #1 position in the New York radio market as the midday host of New York’s 106.7 FM. She was also the co-creator, writer, producer and host of 'Spotlight On,' a nationally syndicated program that featured in-depth interviews with top recording artists such as Paul McCartney, Elton John, Sting and Celine Dion, to name a few.
Presently, Valerie can be heard on her new daily radio show, Valerie’s New York on WOR.710.com. She is also the voice of numerous commercials and television promos. She has been the “Voice of God” for many prestigious live events including: The Clinton Global Initiative, The New York Emmy Awards, The Tony Preview Concert on CBS, and many more. She writes a weekly nightlife column for TheThreeTomatoes.com and writes a theater column for Examiner.com.
As adjunct professor at the School of Visual Arts, Valerie teaches a course on Internet Radio and Voice-over, coaches talent privately, and produces promo reels and demo tapes for various clients.
An actress and writer, she has appeared in numerous off -Broadway productions and co-wrote a play with music entitled, "Spit it Out!"
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