Arts & Entertainment
Theater Review: ‘When Garbo Talks!’
by Ben Miles
Greta Garbo is an icon of the silver screen. Among the few movie stars to span the technological transition from silent films to talking pictures, Garbo herself was one of Hollywood’s most celebrated creations. Greta’s Swedish surname was changed from Gustafsson to Garbo by MGM studio mogul Louie B. Mayer. He borrowed the pseudonym from the Italian musical term meaning grace.
It is, therefore, no matter of happenstance that the world premiere staging –at Long Beach’s International City Theatre, through November 7 — of Garbo’s biography, “When Garbo Talks!,” is a musical. After all, what medium of storytelling could better convey the cinematic grace (con garbo) of this celluloid siren than a glittery, well-costumed (kudos to designer Kim DeShazo) period musical production?
Under the keen direction of Jules Aaron, and with the engaging choreography of Kay Cole, “When Garbo Talks!” offers nearly a dozen and-a-half song and dance routines (book and lyrics by the late Buddy Kaye, with music by Mort Garson), all invigorated by a live and lively five-piece orchestra (musical direction by Brent Crayon).
But, of course, bringing Garbo to life on stage requires an actress who is easy to believe as a seductress and artist who challenged the mores of the film industry in the first half of the 20th century. Fortunately, “Garbo” has Jessica Burrows, a performer who seems ready-made to fulfill this role. What’s more, Burrows is quite able to do some things that Garbo was never known to do; that is sing and dance. Further, Burrows’ statuesque appearance and elegant femininity add to the charm and mystique that we associate with the great Garbo.
Though playwright Buddy Kaye died at 84 years old in 2002, before the Garbo script was complete, his son—Richard D. Kaye — made it his mission to finish the musical and get it staged. Tracing Garbo’s life from 1922 through 1929 (she retired in 1941 at the age of 36), “When Garbo Talks!” successfully gives us insight into who the woman behind the persona was; it also introduces us to some movers and shakers of movie business at the time, including Louie B. Mayer (wonderfully embodied by Matthew Henerson), long-forgotten leading man John Gilbert (credibly played by Christopher Carothers), and Swedish director Mauritz Stiller (formidably portrayed by Michael Stone Forrest).
Indeed, “When Garbo Talks!” is worth listening to — all two and-a-half hours of it.
“When Garbo Talks!” continues at the International City Theatre — 300 East Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach — through November 7. Show times are Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m. Matinees are at 2 p.m. on Sundays. For reservations, dial (562) 436-4610. For online ticketing, visit www.internationalCityTheatre.com.
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