TAKING SIDES

"Ronald Harwood's "Taking Sides" tackles issues that are both historical and as timely as today's headlines. . . is an artist above politics? Does genius excuse immoral behavior? Can people be forgiven for the questionable measures they take to survive in a crisis? Michael Brainard and his talented, energetic cast at SkyPilot Theatre Company have done Los Angeles a service by bringing this gripping play to life." - John Rubinstein (Tony Award winner and Emmy nominated actor. Current lead in L.A.'s "WICKED")

Review by Entertainment Today - Thursday, 01 November 2007

Written by JOSEPH N. FEINSTEIN

Roaming the theater-beat for the past ten years, I, like all my critic colleagues, have come to know which theaters will usually put on a play of merit, a play that says something and speaks clearly to its audience. Such places as Glendale's A Noise Within, Los Angeles' Odyssey ensemble, the fine people at the Colony in Burbank, the marvelous Geffen in Westwood and the Laguna Playhouse or Costa Mesa's Segerstrom Auditorium have gifted Los Angeles theater goers with fine productions for many years. Add to that two little theaters located across the street from Bob's Big Boy in Burbank: One is the Falcon and the other, even smaller, is one hundred steps away and is called the SkyPilot Theatre Company. They have only been there a couple of years but this talented, committed group has produced one exceptional play after another: Hellcab, Requiem For A Heavyweight and Sexual Perversity in Chicago. Their latest production is Taking Sides by Ronald Harwood. It appeared first on Broadway a dozen years ago and is first-rate theater on a small, intimate scale but completely worthy of your attention.
It stars James Sharpe as Major Steve Arnold attempting to bring Benton Jennings as the noted German Maestro of the Berlin Philharmonic, Wilhelm Furtwangler, to justice for his complicity in playing readily and willingly for the Nazis though he protests that he did not do so. Major Arnold uses every ploy at his disposal to get Furtwangler to confess. And we, the audience, teeter back and forth in our judgment as the evidence unfolds. Attempting to support Furtwangler is Brian Lennon's sensitive and convincing Lieutenant David Wills, an American Jew, who locks horns with the Major in his prosecution. Bringing further evidence into play are exceptional performances by Eric Curtis Johnson as the Nazi, Helmuth Rode and Bonnie Leigh as Tamara Sachs, a German, whose Jewish pianist husband was given an exit visa to Paris by Furtwangler. Enci played the Major's assistant, Emmi Straube, who loved music. She gives a very effective performance as an unwilling witness to Arnold's relentless interrogation of Furtwangler and breaks down with a scream that will forever live in my memory.
It's a powerful play, superbly directed by Michael Brainard who uses the small stage very effectively. He keeps his actors stiff when necessary; moving rigidly and carefully about the stage; but always garnering our focus on the problem at hand. To alternately feel sympathy and angst, doubt and certainty, calm and agitation are signs of absolute attention to the action. And when the shouting or screaming takes place, you will feel the disgust and despair that any play dealing with this subject can produce. The intimacy of the SkyPilot adds tremendously to the stunning effect of the play.
"Show me a man who hasn't made anti-Semitic remarks and I'll show you Paradise," utters Major Arnold. Once again, the voices of the guilty, protesting their innocence, calls forth our frustration. In Taking Sides, the door to one's disbelief is thoroughly challenged. See this show and make your own decision! Know that part of the proceeds will be going to the Museum of Tolerance. Nice!
Taking Sides, SkyPilot Theatre Company @ The Sidewalk Studio Theatre, 4150 Riverside Drive Burbank, CA 91505, Tel. 800-838-3006
Tickets: $20 Plays Friday - Saturday @ 8:00 p.m.; Sunday @ 7:00 p.m. Until November 18, www.skypilottheatre.com

Review by the Tolucan Times - October 24, 2007

By Beth Temkin

‘Taking Sides’ at the Sidewalk Studio Theatre

Taking Sides, by Ronald Harwood, is powerful, taking place in Berlin, 1946, with gut-wrenching performances by an extraordinary cast. Brilliant director, Michael Brainard, balances the heavy emotional tug of war between the two protagonists.
The plot concerns the de-Nazification trial of Wilhelm Furtwangler, (Benton Jennings) conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic. While no nonsense and sadistic in nature, U.S. Army Major Arnold (James Sharpe) investigates, Furtwangler fights for his freedom. On his side are Lt. Wills (Brian Lennon) who has deep respect for the greatness of Furtwangler, and who acts deviant against the Major, and Enci (Emmi Straube) the quiet secretary transcribing the investigation who covers her ears so as not to hear the abuse leveled against Furtwangler and emitting a blood-curdling scream when she can’t take it anymore.
Making a strong impression is Bonnie Leigh as Tamara Sachs, arriving in a distraught state wanting to shake the hand of Furtwangler for saving the lives of so many Jews, and convinced he’ll be hanged. Another standout is Eric Curtis Johnson as Helmoth Rode, the sympathetic Second Violinist in the Berlin Philharmonic whom Arnold interrogates, slowing revealing his real identity.
Jennings gives a multi-layered portrayal of the great conductor, first appearing as a dignified and proud figure, and at the end, in a tremendously moving speech, has a complete emotional breakdown of his character in a stunning, unforgettable performance.
In the background, a recording of Furtwangler conducting Beethoven’s 5th Symphony adds pathos (Todd Fifield, sound engineer). Somber set design by Denuta Tomzynski.
Taking Sides is at the Sidewalk Studio Theatre, 4150 Riverside Drive, Burbank. Performances: Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 7 p.m., ending Nov. 18. Tickets: $20.00. Reservations: 1-800-838-3006. Ample street parking is available.


Photo courtesy of Enci Photography