July 8, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Theater Review: Arthur Miller’s Broken Glass:

In these times of social networking, Twitter, fast food, sitcoms that toss commercials in your face every fifteen minutes, and an expectation of instant gratification where we are instructed to “cut to the chase,” Arthur Miller’s searing, perhaps metaphorical drama requires patience as this most esteemed playwright takes his time in unfolding his rather complex story. Miller is, after all, a quintessential storyteller who takes his time delving deeply into the unconscious of his characters to subtly reveal motivations for their behavior.

West Coast Jewish Theatre’s production of “Broken Glass,” directed with sheer perfection by Elina de Santos whose talented ensemble services the material with integrity, takes no short cuts in the revelations that slowly take place.

The story begins in Brooklyn in 1938. Hitler has invaded Austria and the infamous “Kristallnacht” – the night of broken glass – took place and the world became aware of the violence being committed against the Jews. Sylvia Gellburg, beautifully played by Susan Angelo, has mysteriously lost the use of her legs after reading about the atrocities taking place in Europe. She was particularly moved by the story about old Jewish men with beards being forced to scrub sidewalks with a toothbrush while onlookers laughed and jeered.

Her button down, uptight husband Phillip, magnificently played by Michael Bofshever, shows indifference to the political situation in Germany and discourages his wife from reading the newspapers which she devours daily. He is somewhat concerned that Hitler’s behavior might encourage an outbreak of anti-Semitism in America.

Phillip is at a loss to understand her physical illness, since all her tests are negative, and seeks advice from Dr. Harry Hyman, strongly played by Stephen Burleigh, who endows his character with just the right amount of sympathy and determination to uncover the reason for Sylvia’s “hysterical paralysis,” which today would be diagnosed as a psychosomatic disorder. Her devoted sister Harriet, well played by Renae Geerlings, reveals some uncomfortable truths about Phillip’s past treatment of Sylvia, shedding light on her sister’s possible suppressed feelings.

Philip might be described as an anti-Semitic Jew who desperately wants to assimilate into the Gentile world. He has tried to distance himself from the Jewish community and is, indeed, the only Jewish executive at the Brooklyn Guarantee and Trust Company, heading the mortgage department. His quintessential Gentile boss, Stanton Case, is played with just the right amount of “Waspy” reserve by Lindsey Ginter, who we meet for the first time with him wearing sailing clothes. He actually helped Phillip get his son into West Point, a rarity indeed. However, his faith in Phillip gets shaken after a deal falls through at the hands of another Jew. Was any collusion involved?

As the play progresses, we see Phillip slowly unravel from being almost a mean-spirited, dictatorial husband to a wreck of a man who has been plagued by impotence and guilt for 20 years. He is at the same time concerned about his wife’s condition and furious, accusing her of getting back at him for making her give up her career as a bookkeeper and being in a loveless marriage. Bofshever’s highly-textured, multi-layered, deeply emotional performance is almost a tour-de-force and is matched equally by Angelo’s conflicted Sylvia who constantly apologizes for her condition. The question remains: Is she secretly enjoying her malady in some perverse way?

Miller weaves a tapestry of complex relationships. All is not wonderful on the home front with Dr. Hyman and his seemingly cheerful wife Margaret, played by Peggy Dunne, who slowly reveals the layers of emotions lurking below her happy exterior. He has had affairs in the past and she is suspicious that he is falling in love with Sylvia. Is he? Is Sylvia falling in love with him? With all the characters, the surface behavior is a mask for the troubles buried under social appearances.

As Miller takes us through the action, Phillip, who in the beginning is the least likeable of the people living in his world, becomes the most tragic figure of all and it isn’t until he suffers a heart attack that there is a transition in Sylvia’s malady. His words “I can’t find myself in this life” spoken earlier, are particularly poignant as the play comes to a close.

Run: Thursday-Sunday thru April 17

Reservations: 323.821.2449

Pico Playhouse, 10580 Pico Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90064

in News
<>Related Posts

Anti-Drunk Driving Resolution Introduced as City Council Honors Late Palisades Teen Killed in Crash

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Levi, who was set to attend the University of Virginia this fall, was killed by a drunk driver on May...

Free and Reduced Price School Meals Available for Eligible Families in Santa Monica-Malibu District

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Parents in Need Encouraged to Apply, SMMUSD Commits to Nutritious, Accessible Meals By Brandyi Phillips, SMMUSD Chief Communications Officer Santa...

Big Blue Bus to Raise Fares for First Time in Nearly a Decade

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

The fare increase aims to offset rising costs for fuel, utilities, and supplies, according to the agency. The Santa Monica...

Shore Hotel: A Local Destination for Summer Fun

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Bring on all things summer. Walking or biking along Santa Monica Pier, you might find yourself taking a pause at...

Santa Monica’s 150th Anniversary to be Celebrated with Vibrant State of the City Event

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets, beach chairs, and picnics to enjoy during the performances Santa Monica will mark its...

Soprano Golda Zahra Returns to BroadStage For a One-Night-Only Musical Celebration

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Hailed as “the rising star of the opera world” by The Hollywood Times, internationally acclaimed soprano Golda Zahra makes her much-anticipated return to BroadStage in...

(Video) Hundreds of Drones Light up the Sky for Palisades to Celebrate July 4th

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

The Event Marked One of the First Large Gatherings Among Palisadians Since the January Wildfires. The Event Marked One of...

Transform Your Life: The Free Virtual ONENESS GLOBAL SUMMIT Debuts July 18-20, 2025

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

The ONENESS GLOBAL SUMMIT, a transformative three-day virtual event, is coming, July 18-20, 2025, offering participants worldwide a free opportunity...

Santa Monica Home Defies Convention: Architect Eric Owen Moss Debuts Shape-Shifting Design

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Pistachio-Colored Marvel Boasts Curving Walls, Sharp Angles, and Challenging Design A striking residence in Santa Monica is turning heads with...

Caitlyn Jenner’s Friend and Former Foundation CEO Dies in Malibu ATV Crash

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

ATV Plummeted 350 Feet After Rear-Ending Vehicle in Malibu Sophia Hutchins, former CEO of the Caitlyn Jenner Foundation and longtime...

New SaMo Bridge Program Refers 56 People in First Month; 37 Connected to Services

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

According to city officials, the program is on pace to meet its goal of serving 260 individuals annually Santa Monica’s...

Multi-Family Venice Property on Rare Double Lot Lists at Over $5M

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

In total, the four units provide 5,398 square feet of living space A multi-family property located one block from Venice...

Hama Sushi Hosts Weekly Music and Comedy Open Mics

July 5, 2025

July 5, 2025

The venue, a Venice Beach staple since 1979, has recently expanded its legendary happy hour to the entire patio Hama...

Connections Breakfast to Network Local Business Professionals in Malibu

July 5, 2025

July 5, 2025

The event, sponsored by Malibu Country Mart, will feature a breakfast mixer where attendees can meet new contacts  A Connections...

12th Annual Gopher Scramble Golf Tournament to Benefit Venice Heritage Museum

July 5, 2025

July 5, 2025

The museum opened to the public in March 2024 at the Main Street Design Center with its inaugural exhibition, “This...