‘View’ a Gritty Tale of Bigotry

The stage at the Marilyn Monroe Theatre just isn’t big enough for the impressively gritty new version of “A View From the Bridge,” Arthur Miller’s famous Brooklyn tragedy.

Director Anthony Caldarella has trouble containing the action--including the climactic street brawl among residents of an Italian-American ghetto--in the narrow venue. But one wonders whether any production could contain Burt Young, who plays Eddie Carbone, the bigoted dockworker who tries to prevent his niece Catherine (Anne Morea) from marrying the illegal immigrant Rodolpho (Michael E. Rodgers).

Young--best-known for his work in the “Rocky” film series--may be too rough technically to offer the definitive interpretation of this working-class anti-hero. But the actor still gives the play a good sock to the chops. His Carbone endears with some amusingly vulgar habits (he sniffs his socks after removing them) but still frightens with bluster and bravado.

Susan Giosa suggests a Mercedes Ruehl-like strength as Carbone’s cowed wife, Beatrice, while Carmen Argenziano is adequate as Alfieri, the lawyer who narrates the tale.

* “A View from the Bridge,” Marilyn Monroe Theatre, 7936 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood. Thursdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m. Ends Nov. 5. $15. (213) 650-7777. Running time: 2 hours, 30 minutes.