Theater Review: The Ruskin Group Theatre, Substance of Fire
by Anne Hulegard
The Ruskin Group Theatre presents a revival of award winning playwright Jon Robin Baitz’s “The Substance of Fire,” a timeless story of survival, family, loss, secrets, and how our past can shape us.
Isaac Gelbhart (Rob Morrow) survived the holocaust and arrived in New York City an eight-year-old orphan. His past ignited a fire to recreate himself and a meaningful life. He built a publishing empire from scratch and became well respected for championing important works.
Decades have passed and times have changed, but Isaac has not. Publishing “important books” has become less popular and Isaac’s business is failing. His three estranged children have come to help save the company, suggesting foreign investors and more commercial novels. But Isaac views this as a hostile takeover and an assault on everything he’s built. He struggles with this new generation that chooses to follow their dreams over hard work. Son Aaron tells his father, “I don’t have to suffer to feel alive.”
Isaac’s parenting style lacks and may stem from a belief that his criticism will make his children stronger survivors. He refers to Aaron as a “gardener” when in fact he is a college professor of Landscape Architecture. Although the siblings defend their individual accomplishments, beneath the surface they all have dysfunctional secrets, perhaps resulting from a desperate need for their father’s love and approval.
Isaac Gelbhart has suffered many losses in his life, including having just lost his wife and now he faces losing his business, his children and everything he believes in.
In the second act, a few years later, Isaac is alone, forced out of his company and forced to sell his beloved private collection of books to pay bills. He’s antisocial, resentful and depressed. His children, now concerned about their father’s competence and mental state, schedule a social worker to evaluate him. Enter social worker Marge (Marcia Cross) who challenges Isaac and things get very real. They dig deep, revealing buried truths which sparks a process of healing the past. In the end, Isaac finds hope for his future and for a reconciliation with his children.
Mike Reilly (Director) keeps the pace tight and the story on track. Siblings played by Emmitt Butler, Fiona Dorn and Barret T. Lewis are all excellent actors. Lead actor Rob Morrow (Northern Exposure, Numb3rs) is a seasoned performer who beautifully portrays Isaac with restraint, layers and heartbreak. Marcia Cross (Desperate Housewives) has an authentic and powerful stage presence. The Ruskin is a small, modest theater but “good theater is good theatre” and this is.
“The Substance of Fire” closes Sept 1.
Ruskin Group Theatre, 3000 Airport Avenue, Santa Monica. Ample free parking in front.
(310) 397-3244. Ruskingrouptheatre.com. ER