CHAIM’S LOVE SONG aired September 12, 2008, Joe Pollack, KWMU
Two theatrical opening nights, one beginning a season with charm and humor, another ending a season with music that dazzles, and the Coen Brothers, back again with a movie displaying piercing wit and hard-edged satire, highlight a big weekend of entertainment as screens and stages roll into autumn.
The New Jewish Theater opened its 12th season at a new location, the Little Theater at Clayton High School. "Chaim’s Love Song," by Marvin Chernoff is best described as warm and friendly, a series of sketches involving Chaim, a terrific performance by Richard Lewis, telling stories of his life to a young woman from Iowa whom he meets in a Brooklyn Park. Katie Consamus is a fine mirror to reflect Lewis, and there’s splendid work from Bob Harvey as his pal, Oscar. Many sit-com jokes, with some pain to leaven the laughter, and overtones of "I’m Not Rappaport," "Fiddler on the Roof" and similar plays.
Three for the show – for the weekend – "Burn After Reading," a splendid movie, on local screens; "The Music Man," bright music by Stages through October 5 at the Robert Reim Theater in Kirkwood; and "Chaim’s Love Song," by the New Jewish Theater at Clayton High School through September 28.