STAGE REVIEW : A Strong ‘Mother’ Is Also Sappy

Bob Randall’s new play, “David’s Mother,” tells a moving tale of a mother struggling to raise a retarded child.

Despite the pat ending--its weakest part--and its tendency to oversimplify and neatly resolve the issues, this Pasadena Playhouse production does a fine job of bringing home some of the raw, powerful issues facing those who love children requiring special care.

The show continues at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts through Nov. 15.

Sally, 40, is the divorced mother in this aptly titled play about a woman (Ellen Greene) who defines herself as David’s mother rather than a person in her own right. She rails about what life has handed her--in the form of a disabled son--but takes pride in being the only one who can meet the needs of David (Karl Maschek) who, at 17, communicates with mannerisms, tics and unintelligible noises rather than words.

Neither Sally nor David has any kind of a separate life. But that’s about to change. Enter Sally’s sister, Bea (Carol Locatell), who tries to get her to go out on a blind date with a rich widower. Enter Gladys (Peggy Blow), from the Department of Child Welfare, who wants David, as a minor, to be enrolled in a special education program.

Randall, who wrote the Broadway hit “6 RMS. Riv Vu” and later became producer and head writer for “Kate & Allie,” has a facility that can at times be described as facile. The humor that Sally uses to keep the world at bay flows too easily at times. You can smell the epiphany followed by the tearful resolution from the moment all the characters are set into place.

Still, while the resolution is telegraphed from the beginning, Randall gets from A to Z with the feeling and insight that can make even an obvious trip worthwhile. His best invention is the deft mix of flashbacks with the action.

The most powerful scene is one in which Sally’s new boyfriend has an argument with her that calls up a memory of an argument she had with her husband--now her ex. As the boyfriend makes his points, the husband comes on stage--seen only by Sally--and makes very similar points.

When both leave her at the same time, Randall has made the most telling point by showing that unless you change yourself, the relationships with the new people in your life are likely to end in the same way the old relationships did.

Director Josephine R. Abady summons up fine performances from a strong eight-person cast. Tall, thin and tough, the wisecracking Greene carries the show as Sally; the actress seems almost unrecognizable from the ditzy Audrey that she played in the stage and film versions of “Little Shop of Horrors.”

Karl Maschek is eloquent as David, communicating volumes without speaking a word. Leah Remini conveys the hurt and anger of Sally’s daughter Susan--whom Sally neglected to care for David. Vasili Bogazianos brings home the anger and frustration of Sally’s ex-husband. Norman Snow suggests a dignity for Sally’s boyfriend, John, that gives some dimension to a character who, as written, seems too good to be true.

Sally’s apartment, designed by David Potts and lit by Marc B. Weiss, sets up the drab conformity of an apartment in which no effort or care has been expended. Susan Denison Geller’s costumes are consistently appropriate, although they play up one of the script’s weaknesses--the cartoonish differences between poor sister Sally and her rich sister Bea that suggest that wealth and poverty are life’s only two options.

One of the easiest ways to improve “David’s Mother” would be to cut the original music by Steve Orich that frames the piece. It has that sweetened television quality that suggests that what we are about to hear is a pilot for a new feel-good dramedy. “David’s Mother” has some tough and touching things to say under its smooth surface. The music undercuts the message.

“DAVID’S MOTHER”

By Bob Randall. Director, Josephine R. Abady. Set design, David Potts. Lighting, Marc B. Weiss. Costumes, Susan Denison Geller. Sound, Jeffrey Montgomerie. Original music, Steve Orich. Production stage manager, Theresa Bentz. Stage manager, Diana Blazer. With Jennifer Blanc, Peggy Blow, Vasili Bogazianos, Ellen Greene, Carol Locatell, Karl Maschek, Leah Remini and Norman Snow. At 8 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays, 5 and 9 p.m. Saturdays, 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays, through Nov. 15. Tickets are $31.50. At Poway Center for the Performing Arts, 15498 Espola Road. (800) 883-PLAY, 278-TIXS or 748-0505.