Theater Thursday - Trying

We were given free tickets to Trying for Review purposes. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own.

What: Trying

Where: George Street Playhouse
             103 College Farm Road
             New Brunswick, NJ

Who: Recommended for Ages 13 and up

When: Through April 9, 2018

Mom's view: Trying is the story of the relationship of Judge Francis Biddle and his secretary. Although in the play the character is named Sarah, the story is actually based on the true story of the playwright, Joanna McClelland Glass who worked  for a time as the secretary to Judge Biddle, who was the Chief Judge at the Nuremburg trials and was also know as a major opponent of the Japanese interment camps during World War II. Judge Biddle is an irascible old man set in his ways when young Sarah comes to work for him. They are from different ages and can barely relate to each other. Over time, they develop a kind of rapport and work well together even though outwardly the Judge is as gruff as ever.  Although two character plays can sometimes drag, it is important to pay attention here because a lot of important development in the relationship between the characters happens without  a word. Sarah tenderly covers the Judge with a blanket when he falls asleep in his cot in the office. The Judge shows he trusts Sarah by allowing her to turn on the heaters without reprimanding her even though he has said many times that his secretaries are forbidden from touching the heaters. The actors in this two character play, Philip Goodwin as Judge Biddle and Carly Zien as Sarah do a good job with their roles and keep the show engaging. All in all, it is a touching story of a kind of detente between two people of different generations.

And that's our view. Tune in tomorrow for Funtivity Friday.

Photo credits: All Trying production photos by T. Charles Erickson