Theatrical Review: The Male Animal

THE MALE ANIMAL
Written by: James Thurber and Elliot Nugent
Directed by: Robert Armin
Theatrical Review by: Paul Adam Smeltz

The Shawnee Playhouse* in Shawnee on the Delaware, PA presented The Worthington Players production of “The Male Animal” by James Thurber and Elliot Nugent. Written in 1942, the play served as a herald to the horrors associated with the Communist Witch Hunts during the infamous McCarthy era of the 1950s. However, what makes this play relevant to a modern audience is its discreetly placed warning of what may occur if any of the freedoms we take for granted are ever compromised either out of fear of persecution or it seems more convenient to do so.

“The Male Animal” takes place on a college campus where Professor Thomas (Tommy) Turner finds himself embroiled in controversy when he off handedly mentioned he’d like to read a piece of literature to his English Composition Class considered to be highly subversive. His statement to his contemplated intentions are mentioned in a somewhat radical editorial in a campus literary magazine decrying the censorship of ideas among the faculty in order to appease a politically minded board of trustees. The editorial elevates Professor Turner as a heroic symbol of defiance for his willingness to expose the subversive material to his students. Professor Turner’s fear of the consequences of how the editorial will effect him and his career is transformed to defiance derived from anger at the response to the editorial and later to the realization of the consequences to the freedoms embedded in our constitutional system if he denounces the editorial and declines to read the piece mentioned in it.

It is worthy to reiterate such fears or retribution were very real during the 1940s and they were largely left to fester into what became the McCarthy era of the 1950s. In these days of fear and anger over the terrorist attacks pf September 11th, 2001, it may be wise to consider where our willingness to look the other way while some of our constitutional freedoms are put aside for the sake of national security will lead us to. The well written play serves as a warning and illustrates the importance of safeguarding our freedoms whenever they are threatened.

The production has been advertised as a romantic comedy. Although there were some moments of romance and comedy, I found them too brief to place the production in such a category. Perhaps the present reality of our times relate too closely with those presented in the play to encourage an audience to find much humor in what is transpiring. There wasn’t much evidence of any considerable effort to make the play funny or to emphasize the romantic elements of the work.

However, this does not detract from the merits of the production as the evening proved to be a good theatrical experience. In spite of the occasional dropped and stepped on lines associated with an opening performance, the play was well cast and equally well acted. The direction was sound and the blocking was very appropriate to the play. Although not an extraordinary performance, it is quite satisfying and the themes presented in the play makes it a evening well spent.

The Production was Directed Robert Armin and Stage Managed by Irene Garner. Lillian Gonzalez served as Costumer and Richard Sorger served as Choreographer and Dance Instructor. The cast consisted of Amy Cramer* who portrayed Ellen Turner (the wife of Professor Turner), Glenn Geiser-Getz who portrayed Professor Thomas “Tommy” Turner (the faculty member embroiled in controversy), Kathi Spiegelmyer who Portrayed Patricia Stanley (the sister of Ellen Turner), Matt Christie who portrayed Wally Myers (the star football hero of the present), Jack Butler who portrayed Dean Damon (the dean of the Department for whom Professor Turner is a member of), Sue Butler who portrayed Mrs. Damon (the wife of Dean Damon), Brian Krinsky who portrayed Michael Barnes (the student who writes the controversial editorial), Tom Schario who portrays Joe Ferguson (the football hero of days gone by who also has some remaining affections for Ellen Turner), Bob Otto who portrayed Ed Keller (a member of the college Board of Trustee who objects to anything considered subversive being exposed to the light of day), Amy Jo Shaefer who portrayed Myrtle Keller (Ed Keller’s wife), and Samantha Crawn who portrayed Nutsy Miller.

This production of “The Male Animal” will continue its run at The Shawnee Playhouse* in Shawnee on the Delaware, PA until November 18th. Tickets can be reserved by calling 570-421-5093. Their next production will be “The Shawnee Christmas Spectacular“ taking place November 23rd through December 30th. “The Male Animal” is recommended to those who would like to enjoy a satisfying night of theatre while contemplating where the dismissal of our willingness to defend our freedoms may lead.

(*) denotes members of The Forwardian Arts Society in good standing and are considered Our Good Friends.