Alzheimer's drama both smart, sharp
By Ruby Nancy, QUAD-CITY TIMES -- February 21, 2002

New Ground Theatre opened its debut production, “The Waverly Gallery,” last weekend, fulfilling a yearlong promise to produce modern plays and pay performers and technicians for their work.

Directed by Chris Jansen, “Gallery” is a Kenneth Lonergan script that focuses on a family’s struggle with Alzheimer’s disease.

The two-hour show has some surprisingly big laughs, but it is ultimately a drama about the disintegration of a life. A couple of scenes could have done with real editing of the text (that’s what you get sometimes with a new show), but Lonergan’s writing is more often sharp, smart and subtly on target.

Jansen lined up some real acting talent for this show, and in every case but one the actors prove up to the task.

Holly Kennedy is wonderful as Gladys Green, the Alzheimer’s patient — inhabiting the role of a much older woman with a near-tangible physicality that is true and very impressive. Nearly buried under ghastly, overdone makeup that makes her look more like a battery victim than an elderly lawyer, she uses her body and voice in a portrayal that is real enough, emotionally powerful enough that you almost forget about the makeup.

Susan McDonald does good work as Ellen, Gladys’ daughter, revealing the frustration and sheer weariness that goes along with caring for someone with this disease. Pat Flaherty is excellent and sometimes quite funny as Howard, Ellen’s husband, and he throws himself into the impulsive, excitable character with verve.

Olin W. Morrow II is absolutely stellar as Daniel, Gladys’ grandson and tenant, who also narrates the play at times, and his stunningly simple work is at the heart of this moving show. As Daniel, he runs through a wide range of emotions, taking the audience along, and his insightful, informal way of addressing the audience is understated — making it all the more powerful. This is a role that could have been done as flippantly one-dimensional, but Morrow’s rich, complex portrayal is so much more.

Jerry Wolking has much, much less success as Don Bowman, a would-be artist who brings his paintings to Gladys’ gallery. In a role that had the potential for touching, memorable metaphor, he makes Don into an extraneous gadfly who babbles on about nothing.

Simple production values leave the focus on the actors, though a missing peephole in a door does draw an unintentional laugh. Otherwise, warm lighting and details like real food at the dinner table add to the visceral authenticity of “The Waverly Gallery” — the first of many New Ground productions.

Too long and sad for kids, this show might hit too close to home for some but prove cathartic for others. Tonight’s performance will be followed by a panel discussion. Members of the panel include Jansen; James Block, program services coordinator for the Alzheimer’s Association; Mary Decker, adult day services coordinator for the Center for Active Seniors, Inc.; and Denise Heinrichs, family caregiver specialist at the Area Agency on Aging.

If you go
“The Waverly Gallery”
When: 7:30 p.m. today through Saturday, Feb. 23; 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24
Where: Rivermont Collegiate (formerly St. Katharine’s/St. Mark’s School), Bettendorf
How much: $12-$10
Information: (563) 326-PLAY (7529)

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