THE ARTS

'Brooklyn Boy' strikes a touching chord

(Page 2)
. . . g in Los Angeles.

The production is at its strongest and most believable whenever Bruce Sabath appears as Eric's childhood friend Ira Zimmer, who still lives in his family home. They prepared for their bar mitzvah together, and Ira has delved more deeply into their religion while Eric has expelled it from his life.

There's a genuineness and honesty to Sabath's performance that makes him come across as the mensch next door. Even though it's been about 25 years since they last spoke, Ira still thinks of Eric as a friend, and wants to help ease the pain he's suffering.

Steve Mitchell's scenic design is relatively simple, dominated by hazy images of the Brooklyn Bridge, and Marcella Beckwith's costumes fit the presence and attitude of the characters.

They serve to help us understand the contradictions in Eric's mind and the reality of his life. These are not necessarily new discoveries, but Margulies delivers them in a moving and humorous way.

Last modified: December 13. 2005 8:02AM

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