'Cocktail Hour' Stirs Up One Family's Dynamics 

By Michael Toscano
Special to The Washington Post
Thursday, July 25, 2002; Page VA08 

This has been a good year to see the work of playwright A. R. Gurney in his exploration of WASP angst in a changing world. From Studio Theatre's stunning "Far East," to Little Theater of Alexandria's comic romp "Sylvia," and now the Arlington Players' production of "The Cocktail Hour," we've been treated to Gurney's deft skewering of America's erstwhile ruling class.

"The Cocktail Hour," directed by Dave Costa, is full of self-referential tidbits that lead one to believe it to be a thinly fictionalized autobiography. A product of a well-to-do and firmly established Buffalo family, Gurney treads familiar ground in this play of an upper-class family in Upstate New York, circa 1975. The catalyst for this examination of family history is a rare visit home by the family's older son, a publisher with aspirations to be a successful playwright. Writer John, played by area newcomer Jim Williamson, has brought with him the manuscript of his latest play, which is, yes, a thinly disguised autobiography of his family's interpersonal dynamics.

John's aging father, Bradley, who still hasn't forgiven Franklin D. Roosevelt and is so formal he refers to the musical "South Pacific" as "Southern Pacific," doesn't like the idea of the family's inner life, especially his, being exposed. To him, it's "fouling the nest."

Bradley is played by veteran actor Philip Baedecker, previously seen twice this season playing Henry, the ragged Old Actor, in different productions of "The Fantasticks." Baedecker cleans up pretty well and remarkably transforms himself into a staid and repressed hypochondriac who clings tenaciously to old traditions, such as dressing for dinner (which must be preceded by a family happy hour). Nattily dressed and moving with great care, Baedecker resembles a minister at the altar as he fastidiously mixes drinks. Baedecker's work is so finely etched that his character dominates the atmosphere even while offstage.

Lauren Bloom has the role of matriarch Ann, playing older than her years and reminding one of a Barbara Bush without the nasty tongue. Ann has softer edges than her husband, which might be due to her constant requests for "just a splash" of her favorite cocktail. She and Baedecker are comfortable enough with each other on stage that their interplay allows dialogue that could easily devolve to sitcom level to ring true. Baedecker, as Bradley, mixing drinks: "What would you like?" Bloom, as Ann: "After 50 years of marriage, you know what I like." Baedecker: "After 50 years of marriage, I've learned to ask."

Rounding out the ensemble is Lisa Forrest as John's younger sister, Nina, who arrives without her spouse, just like her brother, keeping this cocktail hour truly a family affair.

The particular circumstances of family history that are unearthed and examined are not important; in fact, they are not even particularly interesting. Gurney has created a series of interlocking character studies and that means the success of the play is measured almost entirely by how well it is directed and performed. Costa gets high marks for maintaining a natural flow in the conversation, although the briskness and uniform pace with which his cast moves through some of Gurney's back and forth repartee occasionally gives it a sing-song quality.

In Baedecker's shadow, the cast is moderately effective. As John, Williamson is at his most natural in later scenes with Forrest, also doing her best work as they create a picture of sibling rivalry tinged with affection. Forrest is much less successful earlier, when it is hard to tell if she's serious or playing for laughs. Bloom's matriarch is believable, although her young-sounding voice undermines the effect somewhat.

Arthur Pleasants's large and detailed living room set, with adjacent foyer leading to a dining room, is solid and formal and significantly adds a sense of reality to this slice of upper-crust life.

"The Cocktail Hour," presented by the Arlington Players at Theatre One of the Gunston Arts Center, 2700 S. Lang St. in Arlington, concludes this weekend. Showtimes are 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For reservations, call 703-549-1063.