Theatre J: Sheltered

"Sheltered" by Alix Sobler is based on a true story of a courageous American couple who in 1939 managed to obtain 40 VISA's for Jewish children to emigrate from Vienna to America. Told in two acts, the first half is set in their home in Providence, Rhode Island on the occasion of a dinner party.  They are hosting another couple and hoping to convince them to accept one of these children, a pre-requisite to the VISA's being issued is that a home for each child is pre-secured.  It's late in the game and all they need is one more couple.  The Bloom's were passed over because their marriage has its problems, but desperate times...  While the Kirsch's feel the urgency, Mr. Bloom is in complete denial and certain this his assimilation into WASP culture will safeguard him from the brewing storm. 

Act Two has the Kirsch's in Vienna on the eve when they've decided upon the 40 children they will be taking while stacks of hopeful application cover a small writing desk in their hotel room.  Anguished over the process they suddenly have a visitor.  A mother of little boy they've chosen has shown up unaware of their decision to tell them she's changed her mind.  It is left to Mrs. Kirsch to plead the case with the mother for her son's life recognizing the likely fate that awaits both she and her husband.  She also realizes that the little boy is destine for the home of the Blooms.

This is a heavy play, yet written with lighter moments, too.  At times the plot is so thick that it gets a little plodding, and there moments that skirt close to cliche.  The cast is among the finest in DC with multi-award winning lead Erin Weaver in the forefront as Mrs. Kirsch.  Kimberly Gilbert in the role of Mrs. Bloom also delivered a wonderful performance.  An aside from anything else, both of the male actors, David Schlumpf and Alexander Strain need to get new head shots taken.  There ought to be a decade limit on how young you were when you can no longer keep using the same photo.  Neither gentleman is 23 anymore and haven't been for at least a decade.

I had a sense that the actors were all doing the best they could with the vehicle they's been given.  In some way the arc of the play was a little like a slinky.  When it moved, it captivated.  But when it slowed, it created in me a desire to see more to it than was there.  I wanted it flow consistently, but in the end even the audience was torn between wanting to acknowledge the excellent craft of the cast, but feeling a little underwhelmed by writing.  And generous applause only saw a sprinkling of standers.  The set was gorgeous, the costumes and lighting first rate.  I also learned this evening that Theatre J is the largest professional Jewish theatre in North America.  This information sparked a lively conversation between two couples who were sitting directly behind me.