The classic coming-of-agemovie “The Graduate” is enjoying a reincarnation from the novel to the stage,thanks to writers Calder Willingham and Buck Henry. Until Sunday, May 6, the Ivoryton Playhouse will be“revealing” how Benjamin Braddock who should be ecstatic about completing fouryears of college at the top of his class and celebrating his achievements withhis family and friends at a party in his honor is, instead, hiding in his bedroom,filled to the max with anxieties and insecurities.
Luke Guldan is wonderful asthe angst-driven Ben, whose promising future everyone sees as golden excepthimself. At this vulnerablejunction in life, when he just has to select which perfectly paved road topursue, there enters temptation in the form of Mrs. Robinson, the wife of hisdad’s law partner.
Luke Guldan’s Benjamin isdeliciously ripe for the picking and the older and wiser Mrs. Robinson hasselected him for her treat of the month club. First Judith Lightfoot Clarke’s Mrs. R. shocks him and thentantalizes and entices him to play her little game of seduction.
While his parents (Rik Walterand Victoria Bundonis) wait patiently for Ben to show signs of maturity,ambition and direction, he wanders farther and farther from any path ofpromise. When his dad and Mr. Robinson (Peter Cormican) contrive to have Bendate Elaine Robinson, a sweet and idealistic Jess Brown, who is home fromBerkeley, the illicit deeds become fodder for a first class family feud. To complicate an already “grotesque”situation. Ben and Elaine find themselves having real feelings for each other.
Completing the cast areHeather Gault as a stripper and bridesmaid, Jeffrey F. Wright II as a hotelclerk and groom and Todd Little as a priest and bartender. Lawrence Thelen keeps a steady hand onthe delicate balance of comedy and drama that drives the story.
For tickets ($40, seniors$35, students $20, children $15), call the Ivoryton Playhouse, 103 Main Street,Ivoryton at 860-767-7318 or online at www.ivorytonplayhouse.org. Performances are Wednesday at 2 p.m.and 7:30 p.m., Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sundayat 2 p.m.
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