Sticks and Bones

Sticks and Bones is playing at Pershing Square Theatre located at 480 West 42nd Street. The show runs two hours and forty five minutes with one intermission. It closes on December 14, 2014.

David Rabe is the playwright. He won a Tony Award for “Sticks and Bones” (1972). David was nominated for three Tony Awards “Streamers” (1997), Hurlyburly” (1984) and “In the Boom Boom Room” (1974).

“Sticks and Bones” is the second play in a trilogy following “The Basic Training of David Hummel” and preceding “Steamers”

The play opened off Broadway at the Joseph Papp’s Public Theatre in 1971. The Broadway production opened in March 1, 1972 at the John Golden Theatre. It ran 246 performances. It won the 1972 Tony Awards for Best Play and Feature Actress (Elizabeth Wilson). It was nominated for two Tony Awards for Best Direction (Jeff Bleckner) and Best Leading Actor (Tom Aldredge).

Richard Chamberlain is best known for his roles in “Dr. Kildare” (1961-1966), “Shogun” (1980” and “The Thorn Birds” (1983).

Holly Hunter won an Academy Award for the “Piano” (1993). She received three Academy Award nominations for “Thirteen” (2003), “The Firm” (1993) and “Broadcast News” (1987). Holly won an Emmy Award in 1989 for “Roe vs Wade”. She was nominated for four other Emmy Awards “Saving Grace” (2008-2009), “When Billy Beat Bobby” (2002), “Harlan County Way” and “The Positively True Adventure of the Alleged Texas Cheerleader-Murdering Mom” (1993).

The family priest Father Donald (Richard Chamberlain) visits Harriet (Holly Hunter) and Ozzie (Bill Pullman). His stay is short.

Their young son Rick (Raviv Ullman) walks around the house with a camera and guitar around his neck.

Sergeant Major (Morocco Omari) brings their son David (Ben Schnetzer) home from Viet Nam war. He is delivering soldiers all over the United States to their families. Unfortunately Davis is now blind.

David is angry about this and lashes out at his family. They try their best. Father Donald cannot even reach him. He is haunted by the women he was involved with over there and his war experience.

The ending is strange.

I had many questions on what was going on and not enough answers. One thing is I’m not sure of, is who is more off the wall, David or his family.

Holly Hunter is great as the wife trying to please her family.

Review by Rozanna Radakovich.

Photos by Annazor.

To read a candid interview with the cast, scroll down to the left for recent photos. Click on recent photos for this and other shows.