The Graduate

The Rosewater Theatre produced a very interesting play called "The Graduate." Directed by G. Scott Riley and staring a well-knit cast, the story that is well-known to audiences from the movie takes that story and condenses it somewhat. The evening flowed a lot quicker than the movie did. The set was made-up of a lot of huge acting blocks and other props and pieces. The space was in the round with the actors playing to the diagonal sides the entire night. The best idea of the night was the combination of the Sound and Light designer, Deryl Cape, with G. Scott Riley as the set designer, to create an elevator on a platform with just lights and sound. Loved that idea and it was really simple.

Nathaniel Collum played Benjamin Braddock, the focus of the show. And he was great. Good eye contact, good emotion, and portrayed the young man in confusion quite well. Jackie Estafen played Mrs. Robinson, and with a great deal of manipulation, this actress pulled out all the punches for her character: she's beautiful, she's focused, and when she has an agenda - it gets done, no matter who is in her way.
Linda Place played Mrs. Braddock and she was just the perfect mother for Benjamin. Her movements, her acting style, everything about her was perfect for her role. I, personally, would like to see her in another show and more as a lead character.
Elaine Robinson was played by Meghan Noonan and the wide-eyed, Doe-looking lady was cast perfectly. She did the character justice and will do well in the future, I'm sure.
It's always good to see Bob Smith on stage. Being a busy actor, Bob played Mr. Braddock in this piece. He looked good, held that 60s/70s- dad thing in tact, and carried things off well the entire time.

Props to the costumes chosen by the owners of Rosewater and the cast themselves. The ladies' dresses were phenomenal and the gentlemen looked good. The wedding dress on Ms. Noonan was gorgeous, and I may in the future steal that idea. Ms. Place's dresses were very well-suited for a stay-at-home mom. Ms. Estafen's dresses were just beautiful. Very sultry, very "i don't give a crap" attitude. Loved it.

Props to Deryl Cape for the music choices from the 60s - very appropriately placed.

Over-all, a good evening and I smiled the entire time. Wasn't impressed with Mr. Robinson, played by Jake McClain, as he studdered a bit on his lines in the first act and I could feel it for the other actors on stage as they scrambled to cover if he couldn't or didn't say the right thing. I also noticed he was a bit stiff in his movements and over-all wasn't very believable. My condolences to Ms. Crystal Watson who played the hotel clerk and the exotic dancer. Poor baby - that theater was cold and I know she could have used a robe! Lee Lasseter rounded out the cast as the psychiatrist and priest. He was the quiet man for the show.

All in all, a good evening and very fast-paced story.