'Immortality Polka' is original, enjoyable

By Donna Chernin

Jaye Restivo, as the girl in “The Immortality Polka," has real troubles with her landlord.

She signed a lease for $250 for an apartment and then discovered, when she went to cook her first meal, that her new home was completely lacking in kitchen facilities.

While her landlord, the owner of a multimillion-dollar building conglomerate, cannot make it up to the girl legally or financially, he privately attempts to compensate her. Lladislav Zerkl offers her his home rent free for as long as she likes.

Zerkl even extends his name and his Inheritance to the girl in this original drama at Bread and Circuses Theater, located in the First English Lutheran Church, 2419 Euclid Hts. Blvd., Cleveland

Hts.

Written by Clevelander Jean Seitter Cummins, this three-act comedy won the 1973-74 Playwright's Forum Award. It is being offered, with the support of the Ohio Arts Council, as part of a program to stage a new play by a Ohio playwright each year.

Miss Cummins reveals a flair for comical repartee and a feel for humorous predicaments. The strongest quality to the show is its kinky characters.

The four-member cast includes Zerkl, an eccentric refugee from 23 different European countries who has amassed a finanical empire but who, alas, has no one with whom to share his wealth.

Suddenly, into his life, bursts an 18year-old embittered girl, who becomes further enraged by having been cheated of $250 and a kitchen to boot.

Then there is Mrs. Lavfsky, a lonely, inquisitive widow who passionately craves to get involved. Years ago, circumstances forced her to abandon a newborn child and her life has never been joyful since.

The last in the array of characters is a twittering encyclopedia salesman who studied law but who never had the spine to take the bar exam and whose mother used to try to convince him that he was a homosexual.

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At first glance, these four characters have nothing in common. This may indeed be true, but Zerkl, the central character, possesses a gift of being able to perceive the needs of others. He rearranges all the pieces to conform to everyone's needs.

This is all fine and fruitful, except for One thing. "The Immortality Polka” becomes a slow, repetitive waltz in several same issues. At least 30 minutes, if not places, where the personalities rehash the even 45, should be cut to make the pace brisker.

Kirk Bridgman does an admirable job directing, except for moments which degenerate into excessive chasing about the stage.

The comedy glows whenever Jan Coken appears in the character of Mrs. Lavfsky. Her splendid performance serves as the teeter-totter for Don Prekler, who gives an understated effective portrayal of Zerkl, and Jaye Reștivo and Christopher Francis Ritchey, who verge on making the girl and the salesman into caricatures.

*

All in all, “The Immortality Polka,” although not destined for immortal heights, does make for an enjoyable evening of light theatrical fare.