Bradbury's Irish Play for St. Patrick's Day

Theatre review

"Falling Upward," the oddly titled Irish comedy written by Ray Bradbury, has arrived at the El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood just in time for St. Patrick´s Day.

A hodge-podge of stories and vignettes – richly re-imagined and re-invented by director Tim Byron Owen – the play chronicles and fictionalizes some of the people and events Bradbury remembers from the nine months he spent in Ireland while writing the screenplay for "Moby Dick."

Before the performance begins the audience is treated to a musical pre-show of Irish songs by members of the all male cast, as they greet and jostle each other in jovial camaraderie in Heeber Finn´s Pub. High praise goes to Jeff G. Rack and Kelly Fluker for their authentic and atmospheric set design and costumes.

When Broadway actor and comedian Pat Harrington, who plays the historian/narrator Garrity, steps to the front the singing smoothly segues into story. He introduces his companions and calmly states, "Before we´re through, you´ll love us all." And indeed we do.

In the first scene, an intimate discussion between Father Liam Leary (Walter Beery) and barkeeper Finn (Mik Scriba) reveals the similarities of their two "professions." Each hears secrets from their customers, whether behind the bar or in the confessional.

In another scene, the rowdy good cheer is interrupted by an accident outside in the street. The injured are helped or carried in and examined by the Doc (Donald Moore), while Garrity and another witness hilariously illustrate how the two bicycles must have "come together."

The final scene of Act One illustrates the ingenuity of the Irish as they re-invent the last will and testament of a departed winemaker who vows to "take his liquor with him" to the grave.

In Act Two, Garrity introduces an assorted group of wealthy tourists and their guide David Snell Orkney (James Horan), who´ve come to Ireland "on a whim" to see the sights.

The tight-knit Irishmen, put off by the obvious foreignness, close ranks against them. But when Orkney tells them a parable about a Sun King and a Snow Queen who join forces to survive, their hard Irish hearts soften. In the end there are handshakes, embraces and fond farewells.

Garrity explains this unusual incident by saying, "Fairies appeared that year and changed the weather … and maybe our lives."

At times the heavy brogue in "Falling Upward" is too thick to understand, but the acting and the visuals are superb. And except for the omission of the old favorite, O Danny Boy, the play will have audiences feeling truly Irish and uncommonly lucky.

WHEN: Thursdays – Saturdays at 8:00 pm, and Sundays at 3:00 pm through April 5th

WHERE: On the main stage at the El Portal Theatre; located at 5269 Lankershim Blvd., in North Hollywood, CA 91601

ADMISSION: $30-$40.

RESERVATIONS: Call (866) 811-411, or visit www.raybradburysfallingupward.com or www.Plays411.com