THE HISTORY BOYS

The time is the eighties and eight young men at an English Prep School, are now hoping too gain admission to Cambridge or Oxford. There is a tight-assed ‘Head Master’ – who is determined to make sure that his students make the cut. One of the Teachers is Hector, who is a frumpy, older man. He believes that knowledge exists for the “glory” of knowing. Nothing else is needed. No written exams, just give the students the words. Hector, even has the students act out parts of movies, so that they can relate to his rather ‘different’ way of teaching.

This play is not all learning and preachy. There are so many complex things going on between the boys, the teachers and the Head Master that you can hardly keep up with the intrigue.

Ah -- the funny moments are plenty. Like in one scene where Hector, the Teacher is trying to improve the boys’ French by having them act as clients in a bordello. One of the boys has his pants down around his ankles when the Head Master marches into the room. The look on the Head Master’s face was a look of someone who just sat on a dildoe for the first time.

But, these delicious little teaching treasures by Hector, makes the Head Master feel that he must bring in a teacher that teaches in the ‘traditional method’. And we get to meet Irwin, who has some uptight ways of his own.

So, then a tug of war is set up between the inspirational teacher and the traditional boring teacher, Irwin. Hector connects with the boys on several levels. And the boys think that he is just great. On the other hand Irwin, the new teacher, is a strict taskmaster, and doesn’t care for all the frivolity that goes on in Hector’s class.

Hector has some problems however, that go beyond the classroom. It seems that he selectively picks out a boy now and then from his class and offers to drive him home. Nothing wrong with that, you would think, but the Head Master got wind of the Motorcycle caper. You see, Hector drives with one hand on the handlebar with one hand behind him, neatly curled under the boys Balls, who is sitting behind him. “Nothing really happened, he tells the Head Master.” I agree. Maybe it was cold, and he was just keeping the Boys’ Balls warm. Or maybe Hector’s hand was cold. Yep, these boys are wise beyond their years. They know exactly what they are doing.

Author Alan Bennett has written fabulous prose for the complex characters in the play. One personality fleshes out the others personality. And there is certainly enough personality on that stage to light up the City. Who needs P.G.& E? We can just plug into that wattage on the New Conservatory stage. It’s Brilliant. No, it’s damned Brilliant. How did they do it? It’s impossibly captivating.

For Ed Decker, the Director, this must have been a nerve-wracking job to bring everything together so flawlessly. This has to be one of the greatest directing jobs ever on the NCTC stage. Decker brought together the physical energy of the actors in the smoothest production of this play that I have ever seen. The show should tour with the same great talent.

You will love the “Brief Encounters” student skit from the movie. You will also love it when Hector the teacher, defending himself says: “A grope, is a grope – not an invitation!” And this line will get you through the day and even the week – “History. Just one f&$k-ing thing after another!” And this will “Blow” you away, so to speak. Handsome student says innocently to teacher: “Is there any chance Mr. Irwin of you su*%#-ing me off?” – Well – you know how boys are.

The Boys’ also did a classroom version of Bette Davis in “Now Voyager” where she is on the Deck of an Ocean Liner as her lover lights two cigarettes in his mouth and hands one to Davis. She says looking starry eyed. “Let us not just ask for the moon -- we have the stars.” The Boys were fantastic. And there is the movie music behind them, making it even more marvelous.

Here are the impossibly talented cast: James Breedlove (Dakin) – “Captivating and realistic!” Jeff Cohlman (Teacher Irwin) – “Perfection!” Juan Carlos De La Rosa – “Splendid!” Ryan Foster – (Posner) “Top Notch!” Michaela Greeley (Mrs Lintott, the only woman in the play) – “Powerful performance!” Nic Knerr (Rudge) and Bradly Mena (Crowther) – both “Terrific!” Christopher Morrell, Zac Shuman and Jonathan Shue – “Compelling acting!” Richard Ryan (Hector, the Teacher that reshaped lives) – “Stunning!” Stephen Schwartz (Headmaster) – “Remarkably on target!” They made the evening an undeniable pleasure.

AT THE NEW CONSERVATORY THEATRE CENTER

RATING: FOUR GLASSES OF CHAMPAGNE!!!! (highest rating). –trademarked—

(((Lee Hartgrave has contributed to the San Francisco Chronicle Sunday Datebook and produced a long-running Arts segment on PBS KQED)))

FA-LASH! -- HOT NEWS !!!

SF PLAYHOUSE WILL SHINE! Artistic Director, Bill English and Producing Director, Susi Damilano are excited to launch the new season of plays with “Shining City” that garnered two Tony Award nominations, including Best Play. The play is set in present-day Dublin. The story: A man seeks help from a counselor, claiming to have seen the ghost of his recently deceased wife. However, this encounter with the counselor becomes stranger and stranger. The relationship becomes a struggle between the living and dead. You’ll find out a lot about faith, relationships and your inner self. Opens this Saturday Oct. 4th at the SF Playhouse on Sutter (near Powell). Info: Sfplayhouse.org. It’s no secret that the Playhouse is known for it’s exciting productions, and I’m really looking forward to experience the evening.

BERKELEY REP GETS BIG BUCKS!

“I am thrilled to continue collaborating with Sara Ruhl”, says Berkeley Rep’s associate artistic director Les Waters who is also an Obie winner. The Rep has just been notified that they will receive a $54.000 National Play Award grant from the Edgerton Foundation to stage Sarah Ruhl’s “In The Next Room.” Previews begin on Jan. 3. Grand opening will be on Feb. 4. Info: 510-647-2949.

“I love the music from Irma La Douce,” says Theater Buff, Michael John. La Douce is at the Eureka Theatre in the swank part of downtown. The musical comedy many say is better than the movie, which was not a musical. Info: 255-8207. OR www.42ndstmoon.org.

MUST SEES: “A Bronx Tale” at the Golden Gate Theatre starring Chazz Palminteri. “It’s a stick to your ribs show!” – sez Buzzin’.

There is still time to see the Trend Setting “Spring Awakening” at the Curran Theatre. It’s teen-aged angst with sexual situations that were definitely forbidden in a very religious school in Germany.
Teens have discovered the musical and are flocking to see it. Buzzin’ wants to see it again – it’s that Fab!

MORE STORIES BY TOBIAS WOLFF now playing at the Magic Theatre is still going strong. It is three plays by Wolff presented by “Word for Word”. And, believe me the words on the stage are vibrant. There is a rainbow of talent on the stage. You’re gonna wrap yourself around these stories, because it is about you, me and us. You WILL identify! Info: www.zspace.org.

And Buzzin’ wants too make sure that you have a lot of fun in your life – so I’m recommending “Moby Dick The Musical” at Theatre Rhino. Hey, where else can you see a Headmistress of a Girl’s school, who is in Drag? This is the musical that “America’s Got Talent” is trying to be. Info: www.therhino.org.

LOOKING FORWARD TO in late October: “The Devil’s Disciple” by George Bernard Shaw. Starring one of San Francisco’s best actors Gabriel Marin and Stacy Ross who is always marvelous. You know the story. It’s set in a New England village during the Revolutionary War. A self-proclaimed, devil’s disciple is arrested by the British army when he is mistaken for a reverend. Lots of ‘swashbuckling’ and plenty of Shaw’s wit is why it’s a classic. Tip: (this is Shaw’s only play set in the U.S.A). At the Åurora Theater in Berkeley, (one of the Bay Area’s, premiere Theaters). 510-843-4822.

AND THAT’S A WRAP!