Let me start off by saying that I didn’t read the John Irving book nor see the 1999 movie.
This is a fine staging of the Peter Parnell adaptation of the book. The Zeum Theater on Fourth off Mission was well suited to the production, which featured many and rapid entrances and exits by the large cast. Most of the actors played several roles, and several female characters were portrayed by men.
My most notable criticism is the length. While there is a lot to tell, it is just half the novel, and the play could have been easily shortened by the removal of a scene or two, notably the unsuccessful adoptions. The play covers the story up to the time when Homer goes off to the apple farm.
John Bull and Seton Brown were very good in the leading roles (Wilbur Larch and Homer Wells), though the latter seemed a bit goofy, rather than just naive. Notable in supporting roles were Brennan Leath “cross-cast” as Nurse Angela, and Lucas Rocco Alifano, who played four roles, including a perfect Mrs. Grogan.
The story is interesting and quite serious, raising some interesting ideas about abortion, love, and other subjects, but the play comes off as a comedy thanks to the inventive adaptation and energetic acting.
Well worth your time, I give it an A-. (This is San Francisco, so I assume no one is gonna be grossed out by some bare-ass, frank sexual representations, and clinical treatment of dead fetuses. )
