The first thing Rob Morrow said, relaxing after an opening weekend performance, was that Jon Robin Baitz was only 27 when he wrote The Substance of Fire. He should know: the two were founding members of Naked Angels Theatre Group, which produced the original production back in 1989.
For someone of Baitz’ age at the time, the play is particularly observant about Isaac Geldhart, a man who narrowly escaped the Holocaust, his relationship with his privileged children, and his efforts to keep an even keel even as he becomes more infirm and more isolated, as evidenced in a visit with Miss Hackett (Marcia Cross), a beautiful but untried psychiatric social worker. Although the play recounts a single event, a life-time of hurt and wariness permeates the proceedings. The three children, all intelligent and well-schooled, cannot bridge the chasm of experience once in the dark provided by their deceased mother. Aaron (newcomer, Emmet Butler) as the eldest, is sympathetically drawn, even as he feels the need to take the reins to preserve the family’s faltering company. Fiona Dorn as daughter Sarah is caught between father and brother, while Barrett Lewis as Martin, the aimless younger brother, wants nothing to do with the mishigas.
The play unfolds on The Ruskin Playhouse’s wide, shallow stage, which poses a problem for both director Mike Reilly, who often situates Martin extreme stage right, in a spot that lighting guru Edward Salas can’t seem to fill. Set designer, Ryan Wilson tries to make up for the expanse with a unique asymetical staging in the second act, and Michael Mullen’s vaguely 80s costumes are fine.
Happily, nothing can deter Baitz’ hyper-realistic dialogue from unfolding until the play’s enigmatic “to be continued” type ending. On reflection, the story is a metaphor for the difficulties that our president, Joe Biden, and his bungling supporters are experiencing: the rush to judgment. As with Isaac Geldhart’s family, that may end up doing more harm than good.
The Substance of Fire continues at 8pm Fridays and Saturdays; and 2pm on Sundays; now through September 1, 2024, at The Ruskin Group Theatre, 3000 Airport Ave., Santa Monica, 90405. There is ample free parking in front of the building. Tickets range from $25 – $40. For reservations call (310) 397-3244 or https://www.ruskingrouptheatre.com.
