REVIEW: Larry Bryggman in Edward Albee's "Occupant"

A portrait of the late, legendary artist Louise Nevelson is created by her longtime friend — Edward Albee — in the Signature Theatre Company's world premiere, Edward Albee's Occupant, starring Larry Bryggman (ex-John, AS THE WORLD TURNS) and Mercedes Ruehl.

This new staging is directed by Pam MacKinnon, who staged Albee's Peter and Jerry at Second Stage. Albee has said there has not been any rewriting in the part of the reporter, who is now played by an older actor.

According to Signature, "Edward Albee's Occupant is a portrait of acclaimed sculptor Louise Nevelson and a quest to capture a charismatic and complex artist and persona. What is the relationship between creator and creation? Who was Louise Nevelson? Only she knew."

I thought both Bryggman and Ruehl play their parts beautifully and realistically but at times, the show seemed to drag. I'm not sure what more the two actors could have done to make this script more intertaining. It was a fascinating character piece, but the entertainment value was not what I was expecting based on the two actors involved.

GRADE: C