PASS THE LOVE
Many psychologists describe a child brought for treatment as the “identified patient”–the one other family members believe to be sick. These psychologists recognize that a troubled child is usually a symptom of deep turmoil within the family. A child might be misbehaving, for example, to divert the parents from their incessant arguments. A child pegged as the “black sheep” might be just a safe and convenient target for the anger and frustration other family members feel for each other.
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This is a promising premise. The subtle but insidious dynamics of a family can be intensely dramatic, funny, and suspenseful–all elements of great theater. But White, who has written for several soap operas, fails to exploit the opportunities this premise provides. His plot lingers forever on insignificant details, then lurches right past decisive moments, leaving suspense behind. His characters, despite all their shouting at each other, never develop distinct personalities. And he fails to find humor in either the absurd or the grotesque aspects of the situation. Instead of a perceptive portrait of two families in crisis, White gives us a banal caricature.
At the other end of the table is Anita’s rival sibling, Leona (Barbara Eulenberg), who actually starts an argument with her sister over which of them most resembles their mother. Leona is married to Dan (Kevin Michael Doolan), the wealthy owner of a successful doorbell factory. Their son Bruce (Marc Stopeck) is bland and agreeable–a mere mouthpiece for the values and opinions of his parents.
No, the problem is that the playwright either didn’t know where he wanted to go with this play or didn’t know how to get there. In a program note he talks about a workshop for children of Holocaust survivors, at which a therapist said that Thanksgiving is an especially painful time because it brings to mind those family members who did not survive. White apparently sees a connection between this and the play he has written, but what that connection might be remains a mystery.
Each man goes through a crisis. Lennie, who manages a supermarket for his father-in-law, realizes his wife is unhappy with him. George, a stockbroker, is under investigation by the SEC. Arnie, whose wife discovers his infidelities, sues for divorce. And Guy loses his job. By sharing their troubles, the outsider is incorporated into the group, and the play becomes a tribute to the simple joys of friendship.
