Born Yesterday

Through Feb. 23

Directed by John Shepard Playhouse…

Born Yesterday

Through Feb. 23

Directed by John Shepard Playhouse Conservatory Company

Pittsburgh Playhouse’s Rauh Theatre

(412) 621-4445

Sunday afternoon I found myself out in the “Blizzard of 2003.” It was neither for a crucial run for toilet paper or an opportunity to frolic in the winter wonderland. I trekked down the unshoveled sidewalks of Forbes Avenue to the Pittsburgh Playhouse to see the Playhouse Conservatory Company of Point Park present “Born Yesterday.”

“Born Yesterday,” directed by John Shepard and performed by a company of undergraduates, takes place in Washington, D.C. The year is 1946. Shepard strove for period authenticity, which he achieves through the use of seamed pantyhose, spats and slicked, side-parted hair. The classic uniforms of the hotel staff, as well as the costumes worn by the main characters, also serve to “date” the production.

In a tastefully furnished hotel suite, we meet Harry Brock, a corrupt million-dollar junk-man from New Jersey with more muscle than couth. Having bought a senator, Harry is ready to see the government work for him instead of against him. He brings to the city his nasal-voiced girlfriend, Billie Dawn, a former chorus girl in Cole Porter’s “Anything Goes” and part owner of the company, on paper at least. After a clumsy meeting with the hired senator and his wife, Harry decides that Billie needs an education and some grooming. He hires Paul Verrall, a sophisticated writer for “The New Republic,” to be her tutor. Trouble and laughs ensue as Billie and Paul strike up a romance and Billie decides to start reading documents before she signs them. With the help of Paul she sees past the mink coats and expensive gifts and discovers a web of deceit and corruption.

The highlights of this production were the performances by Michelle Weissgerber (Billie Dawn) and Michael F. Jansen (Harry Brock). Weissgerber was able to bring to her role the necessary mixture of “dumb-blonde” line delivery and comedic timing, while still making Billie a likable and vulnerable character. Jansen did a marvelous job of executing the physical nature of his character as well as molding Harry into the classic 1940s mobster. The chemistry between the pair is carried most of the performance.

Aside from an animated hotel staff, the supporting characters often exaggerated their performances and constantly reminded us that we were indeed watching a play. I found the interactions between Paul Verrall, played by Paul Pakler, and Billie to be particularly disappointing, especially when they had such potential for sparks. The actors lacked the chemistry and energy present in the exchanges between Billie and Harry.

The production aspects of the play were well executed. Fight choreographer Shaun J. Rolly did a superb job with the physical scenes. The actors performed the movements cleanly and smoothly without inhibitions, making punches and lunges realistic and energetic for the audience. A colorful set design, along with smooth sound effects and subtle lighting, helped to create a vibrant atmosphere for the action.

Despite “Born Yesterday’s” shining moments, Point Park’s Conservatory Company was unable to perform this critically acclaimed script to its full potential. After having trudged through the snow and weathered the biting wind, I wish I had just rented the video.