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| Frank Boyd, Opal Peachey, David Goldstein in The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay (photo by John Ulman) |
The Amazing Adventures
of Kavalier and Clay
Book-It Repertory Theatre
Adapted by Jeff Schwager
Directed by Myra Platt
Starring Frank Boyd, David Goldstein, Opal Peachey
One of the most amazing aspects of the history of comic
books is who the major creators of this quintessential “American” art form turn
out to be: New York-based Jews! Similar to the confounding aspect of American
musical theater, replete with Jews and gays or Jewish gays, comic books were
mainly conceived of and developed by Jewish men. Did they inject something into
the water there?
Michael Chabon wrote The
Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, a sprawling history of two fictional cousins,
Joe Kavalier, a Polish escapee from Nazi occupation in 1939, who comes to stay
with Sammy Clay (nee Clayman), a comic book lover who aspires to emulate
Superman’s creators success. It turns out Joe can really draw, and Sammy can
really create great stories, in a match made in buddy-story-heaven.
Turning his far-ranging book into a Book-It style production
was gutsy and overwhelming. Deciding to give it a four hour run time was almost
inexplicable. Would audiences accept an epic evening of theater that includes
two intermissions and a meal break? The answer is, “YES!” Virtually all the
reviews and word of mouth, so far, have been positive and encouraging.