REVIEW: PHYSICIST LARGER THAN LIFE AT ACTORS’ SUMMIT
Anyone who thought scientists were just dry, nerdy, solitary types should take a look at Actors’ Summit’s QED to learn about the highly colorful Richard Feynman, an exuberantly eccentric, real-life American physicist.
As director Wayne Turney said, this guy did break the mold: The famous Nobel Laureate who reinvented how physicists think worked on the atom bomb and served on the federal commission that investigated the space shuttle Challenger disaster.
But Feynman also was a thespian and a bongo drummer, and developed a wacky obsession for the Russian land of Tuva.
The story takes place in Feynman’s office at the California Institute of Technology in 1988. Feynman — who is musing over his life as he contemplates death — is continually interrupted by phone calls and visitors.
This is largely a one-man show, and actor/artistic director Neil Thackaberry is up to the part. Although at times he appeared to be grasping for some of his lines opening weekend, the problem disappeared by the second act.
Thackaberry does larger-than-life very well. His booming voice and arresting stage presence are his hallmarks. Thackaberry also is no stranger to portraying historical characters (John Brown) or doing one-man shows: He did exceedingly well two years ago in the one-man comedy Fully Committed.
But Thackaberry is too young for this role: Feynman was 68 when this story took place. Feynman also is supposed to be having trouble adapting to a body that’s breaking down. Although the character talks about his ailments, we don’t get a feeling of physical frailty from Thackaberry, who has a powerful build and healthy appearance.
Actress Jocelyn Roueiheb does have several choice moments onstage as student Miriam Field, but about 90 percent of the show is Thackaberry’s. Some of the show’s funniest moments occur with extended conversations between professor and student through a closed door.
The sexual tension portrayed between Feynman and his student gave me the heebie jeebies. But that’s just the sort of guy Feynman purportedly was: He once served as a defense witness for the owner of a topless bar that he frequented.
I can just picture him writing physics equations on a napkin while watching the “entertainment.”
It’s good to see Turney — previously an Actors’ Summit regular — back in a guest directing role from DeSales University outside Allentown, Penn.
Feynman’s chalkboard mantra was “What I cannot create I don’t understand.”
For those who may worry that this play may be too science-oriented, don’t worry about any genius jargon. The character Feynman spends most of his time talking about his varied interests, his relationships and colorful anecdotes from his career, which are painted in broad strokes.
At one point, as Feynman talks about the properties of light, he alludes to how “the angle incidence equals angle of refraction.” Most people would remember that from their high school physics books, but Feynman doesn’t even use terms as technical as that.
As his character talks about physics, Thackaberry breaks the fourth wall, talking directly to the audience and even interacting with my neighbor by throwing a ball to him. The gentleman seemed tickled, but, alas, dozed off later.
Turney’s goal in presenting the play is to shed light on one of our nation’s pioneer scientists, while at the same time bridging the divide between the artistic and scientific communities.
Although my mind wandered a couple of times during the show, what struck me most about this piece was that Feynman was a renaissance man who bridged that gap just that by being himself.
QED, by Peter Parnell, contiues through Jan. 28 at Actors’ Summit, 86 Owen Brown St., Hudson. Call 330-342-0800.
From Stage to Page -- By Kerry Clawson 
Your reviews are very much needed. I heard from someone who attended All My Sons at Weathervane last night that a pre-curtain speech was made exhorting the audience to write to the ABJ editor in support of theatre reviews as the Beacon is utterly failing our community.
Village Green
January 20, 2007