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When the Right Keys are Released , the Melody is Sweeter
By Marinell Haegelin
Romance in D by James Sherman , presented by the English Theatre of Hamburg , Clifford Dean directing
Seasoned director Clifford
Dean chose Romance in D for its timelessness and charm , while capturing the emotional and festive season from the Jewish and Christian celebratory perspectives in American playwright James Sherman ’ s oscillating romantic comedy . Music plays a key part in transitioning onstage action , i . e ., characters ’ encounters shift their circumstances in each scene . Dean knew what feeling he wanted each song to convey ; together with Paul Glaser ’ s input , the melodies nostalgically compliment , tickling emotive memories .
The stuffy bachelor is enjoying music and wine when a knock at the door rudely interrupts his quiet evening alone . Charles , finally opening the door , finds the new tenant from 4D next door . Unbeknownst to him , his music has interrupted Isabel ’ s suicide ; obligingly , he turns it down . The following day , George Fox , arriving in Chicago from Florida , bolsters his daughter ’ s spirits with out-of-date videos . Uninterested , Isabel admits to being stupid as George persists , grateful to her neighbor in 4E . In his mid-sixties , the widower is nicely gregarious , generous , and caring .
L-R : Joanne Hildon ( Helen ), Jonny Magnanti ( George ), Brian Tynan ( Charles ) and Helena Ashwell ( Isabel ). Photo © Stefan Koch
Meanwhile , next door Helen is praising her son , calling him a hero as they share their weekly dinner she brought . Ever the matchmaker , Charles adroitly sidesteps questions about 4D ’ s marital status … for a while . Helen is an energetic , curious widow itching to have some fun , yet worried about her fortyplus son . No wonder then , when George goes to thank Charles and instead meets Helen surreptitiously delivering groceries , they hit it off . Subsequently , Isabel visits Charles to thank him , and they engage in conversation . She learns he ’ s a musicologist — a student of music as an academic subject — and he learns that she ’ s a poet , thus opening further discussions . Having established their artistic connection , music and words , they intuitively
At The English Theatre
Romance in D continues through January 7 . Alexi Kaye Campbell ’ s breakthrough drama The Pride premiers January 26 , running through March 25 . Evening / matinee performances ; tickets online ( eth-hamburg . de ) or at the theater , Lerchenfeld 14 , 22081 Hamburg , Tel : 040-227 70 89 , U-Bahn Mundsburg .
understand each other . Isabel finally gets up the nerve to mention dating ; Charles ’ s hesitation nips that in the bud , and then she suggests
Romance continued on page 38