You Doer HAVE To Co DowAirowiv TO `Horowitz And Mrs. Washington' AUDREY BECKER n Special to the Jewish News enry Denker's play Horowitz and Mrs. Washington explores an unlikely friendship that develops between an elderly Jewish man recovering from a stroke, and the black woman who is hired to care for him. Before the onset of the stroke, Horowitz was knifed in an attempted mugging by young black men. This event has heightened his pre-existing racism and has prejudiced him even further. When his son Marvin employs Harriet Washington, a nurse trained in physical therapy, Horowitz refuses and resists, but — as the only way to maintain his inde- pendent living — finally agrees that she become his full-time aide. Mrs. Washington, too, has her motives for accepting a job rehabilitat- ing a man who makes hostile verbal attacks and racial slurs: she needs the income to help out her daughter and her grandchildren. The theme of black and white learn- ing from each other in mundane cir- cumstances may not seem radically new — think Driving Miss Daisy, or NBC's short-lived drama series I'll Fly Away — but Denker's script is touching. However, although somewhat effec- tive on an emotional level, the play is not terribly challenging on issues of race relations and ethnic difference. What weakens Denker's script is that Mrs. Washington is comparatively underdeveloped. She's a familiar char- acter type: the resilient, determined, wise, motherly black woman. What are her shortcomings? Her mispercep- tions? Denker doesn't give her any. The play would be far more interest- ing if Mrs. Washington was written with greater insight, idiosyncrasy and detail. JET's current production, directed by Pat Ansuini, is lively and energetic, mostly due to the thoughtful perform- ance by Robert Grossman in one of the title roles. Grossman carries the show, bringing layers of nuance to the Horowitz character with Jerry Stiller- esque timing. Grossman's cadences sound genuine, adding an inspired naturalism to the part. It's a confident performance, demonstrating remark- able range. . Jennifer Jones brings a stateliness to the role of Harriet Washington. Although the actress looks consider- ably younger than Mrs. Washington is meant to be, Jones projects an appeal- ing quality of maturity and agelessness that underscores the character. While Denker hasn't given her as much to work with as Grossman, Jones projects Mrs. Washington's competency and compassion, and — more importantly — her charitable willingness to forgive Horowitz's obstinate bigotry Greg Trzaskoma, a JET veter- an, makes a small appearance in a supporting role as Marvin, Horowitz's son. As always with Trzaskoma, the perform- ance is warm and wonderful. However, with Mona, Horowitz's bossy daughter, played by Linda Rabin Hammell, Denker resorts to the easy cliche. Hammell, unfortunately, plays up the caricature and doesn't give Mona much additional depth. One of the most impressively consis- tent aspects of recent JET productions has been Monika Essen's artful set design. In Horowitz and Mrs. Washington, Essen comes through again, creating a lovingly worn New York apartment, decorated with walls of old photographs. It contributes immensely to the play's overall sense of sincerity. The play succeeds as a portrait of human dignity in the face of hatred and vulnerability. But as far as its comment on race relations, Horowitz and Mrs. Washington — which Denker adapted from his own novel — is dis- appointingly conservative. We know at the beginning of the play that the closed-minded Mr. Horowitz is able to accept blacks only on a one-on-one basis. Familiarity, it seems, dissipates his contempt. But his "friendship" with Mrs. Washington doesn't necessarily overturn his racist worldview. We are left with a sadly nagging question: Has Horowitz truly grown, or has he just grown accus- tomed to her face? Cl Jewish Ensemble Theatre pres- ents Horowitz and Mrs. Washington through June 10 at the West Bloomfield Jewish Community Center. Show times are 7:30 Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays; 8 p.m. Saturdays; and 2 p.m. Sundays. For more information or to purchase tick- ers, call (248) 788-2900. air THE Zfpf "Tops on my list... "The best Pizza their Filet Mignon" in Metro Detroit" ... John Tanasychuk, Detroit Free Press • Pasta Specialties • Pizza • Steaks• Chops • Poultry • Seafood • Cocktails OPEN DAILY - LUNCH & DINNER OPEN WEEKDAYS UNTIL 2:00 AM WEEKENDS UNTIL 3:30 AM A Ferndale Favorite Since 1961 MinMatblirtt.vi 4 COMO'S mercan Italian-A i Family Restaurant Woodward at 9 Mile • (248) 548-5005 e lassic American cuisine with regional and contemporary accents. 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