Network
Belasco Theatre
April 6, 2019
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| Photo courtesy of Network |
When
Network was first released in 1976,
it struck a chord to a generation who grew complacent. We easily bought into any
belief system that kept us calm and happy.
The movie aroused our anger. We
rose up crying, “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore!” We all felt the freedom that comes with
expressing pent-up emotion. Today, forty
years later, as the expression of anger seems common place and out of control,
we can listen to and appreciate the powerful message Network imparts that is beyond the mere facing of repressed
emotion. Adapted for the stage by Lee
Hall, the Broadway production of Network
delivers the expected impact and offers these deeper introspective
moments. Director Ivo Van Hove creates a
high tech production that combines video and sound to keep the action fast
paced and in the moment. Brian Cranston
is riveting.
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| Brian Cranston as Howard Beale Photos courtesy of Network |
After
twenty-five years as a broadcast news journalist and anchor, Howard Beale
(played by Brian Cranston) gets fired.
To add insult to injury, his best friend and colleague, Max Schumacher
(played by Tony Goldwyn) is the one responsible for delivering the fatal
news. Howard, in a moment of
desperation, announces he will commit suicide while on the air. This threatens an even sooner demise to his
career, until Diane Christensen (played by Tatiana Maslany) decides to use it
to improve ratings. She proposes to the
network to make Howard Beale a prophet to the common people. They buy it. It works.
Ratings soar. Millions are
made. Then everyone realizes who really
holds the power.
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| Tony Goldwyn & Brian Carnston Photos courtesy of Network |
In
our present day of reality TV and presidents winning election on their
celebrity, the use of personal hardships and biased information to boost rating
seem unfortunately normal. It is,
however, heartbreaking to watch Brian Cranston’s portrayal of the downfall of
Howard Beale. His character has lost all
sense of reality, and is pushed further down the dark path for other people’s
gain. Mr. Cranston creates genuine and
powerful moments of panic and despair.
He is able to pull himself up, but we know it is based on falsehood, and
therefore only temporary. The ending is
shocking. Mr. Van Hove knows how to
build a moment and explode it unexpectedly.
The
Broadway production of Network has
been extended through June 8. Go on line
and get your ticket. If you liked the
move, you must experience this production.
Do not leave during the curtain call.
Mr. Van Hove leaves the audience with a few very timely images that
drive the theme home after the cast leaves the stage.
Domenick Danza
