JoMax productions and the Seymour Centre recently presented the Australian premiere of American playwright James Sherman’s play, ‘From Door to Door’.
I saw Moira Blumenthal’s production of Sherman’s play within a month of having seen David Williamson’s play, ‘Lotte’s Gift’ at the Ensemble Theatre. The parallels between the two plays are quite extraordinary. They were very similar in subject matter, both dealing with three generations of women from the one family. The main theme is the same as well, that with every new generation the choices become a little easier, and the possibilities greater.
‘From Door to Door’, (the title is the transalation of the name of a Hebrew prayer, ‘L’Dor V’Dor, celebrating family life), spans 70 years of family history, including two weddings and two funerals. Playwright Sherman used his own family as inspiration for the script. Immigrant Bessie married a man chosen for her, kept her accent, her culture and the old ways. Her daughter Mary is trapped between status quo and women’s lib. Growing in 1950’s Chicago, she became a wife and mother surrendering her gift for painting and any thoughts of a career. Mary’s daughter Deborah is able to make her own choices, but she finds it difficult to balance living in the contemporary world and carrying on the family legacy.
Like ‘Lotte’s Gift’, ‘From Door to Door’ is deeply feministic, positive and life affirming. In ‘Lotte’s Gift’, granddaughter Karin Schaupp finally brings together the family’s talent for music and becomes a wonderful, internationally renowned classical guitarist.
In ‘From Door to Door’ Deborah is a gifted, ambitious scriptwriter, pursuing the family’s gift for the ritten word. She has also become a very generous, thoughtful person. She buys her grandmother a holiday cottage for her to enjoy her remaining days. Deborah buys her mother a beautiful large blank canvas, encouraging her to take up painting, and fulfill her artistic side,that she’s been crying out to do for years.
Moira Blumenthal’s production is a warm production of Sherman’s play. The play flowed well, a lot happened within its two hours, and Blumenthal incorporated the play’s frequent quick transitions well.
A strong cast served ‘From Door to Door’ well. Dina Panozza’s portrayal of grandmother Bessie was vivid, showing an elderly jewish woman full of life and spirit. Joanna Weinberg had a warm stage presence as mother Mary, and Maxinee Appel-Cohen portrayed granddaughter, Deborah as a vivacious, generous young woman determined to achieve a lot in her life.
Krystal Giddings set with boxes and belongings everywhere conveyed the sense of movement and fluidity in the characters lives. Kevin Davison’s sound design included excerpts of classical music, especially violin music.