An Ode to Odets

Marin Ireland & Bobby Cannavale

The Roundabout Theater company has produced two Clifford Odets plays in the past few months.  Mr. Odets was a writer (both screenplays and plays) in the 30s - 50s.  I have been most aware of him through overly turgid movies that I didn't love (The County Girl, None But the Lonely Heart, Golden Boy).
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But on stage - his words fly.  The shows cannot be set in contemporary America, not because of the stories or themes - which are universal, but because the language is so tied to the era it was written in.  As you know, I loved Golden Boy and went so far as to seek out other works by the actors (which lead to a great Romeo and Juliet movie).
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Well "The Big Knife"is equally great - although still in previews with some of the timings a bit missed. It is a morality tale set in the 50's studio system of Hollywood.  A system in it's last gasp, but not going down without a fight.  It was great.  Helped by the fact that the furniture and the set (a house in the Hollywood Hills) were beautiful.
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Bobby Cannavale is great - as per usual, but funny man Richard Kind (Mad About You's sidekick) was freaking great.  A study in rage as negotiation.  I loved it.

Chip Zien (the original Baker from Into the Woods), Bobby Cannavale, Richard Kind and Reg Rogers
And what sets!!!!