The Journey of the Fifth Horse (Broadway Theatre Archive) (1966) Review

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(More customer reviews)Winner of an Obie Award in 1966 for his role as Zoditch in this play by Ronald Ribman, Dustin Hoffman reprises his role here in his first television appearance, an adaptation for NET Playhouse, directed by Larry Arrick. Hoffman is the neurasthenic "first reader" of a small publishing house in Petersburg, Russia, at the turn of the century. Speaking with a high-pitched, nasal whine and with posture resembling a crane--shoulders stooped, head forward, stomach protruding--Zoditch/Hoffman is "an interruption in everyone's conversation," a man who has no friends, no ability to relax, no lady-love, and no promise for the future.
When a housekeeper (fussily played by Charlotte Rae) brings him the diary of Nicolai Chulkaturin, which was left to her when he died, Zoditch at first rejects it but is ordered to read it at home. Chulkaturin (wonderfully played by Michael Tolan), a young man who has just died of tuberculosis, emerges from the pages of the diary and soon reveals that he, too, believes himself to be the equivalent of a "fifth horse," a superfluous addition to the coach of life. When, unexpectedly, Chulkaturin meets a young woman with whom he falls in love (Susan Anspach), his life changes, until a captain in the army sweeps her off her feet.
As the action moves back and forth between the lives of Zoditch and Chulkaturin, the reader observes innumerable parallels between them. In many ways Chulkaturin is what Zoditch wishes he could be--tall, handsome, and in love. Since Anspach and several minor characters plays dual roles both in Chulkaturin's story and in Zoditch's life, the idea of Chulkaturin as Zoditch's alterego expands.
Adapted from a story by Ivan Turgenev, the play offers a bleak reality and, in its conclusion, dark humor, which puts Zoditch's yearnings and false hopes into perspective. Though Hoffman won the Obie, Michael Tolan's acting is equally good--more subtle and less one-dimensional. Susan Anspach is both ingenuous and sexy in her two roles, and Catherine Goffigan as Zoditch's landlady is a scene stealer and wonderful foil for Zoditch. Beautifully produced and movingly acted, the play brings to life turn of the century Russian values and an ineffective little man who feels like the "fifth horse." Mary Whipple


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The trailblazing genius that is Dustin Hoffman is hugely apparent in this, his first starring role on television. Originally produced Off-Broadway, Dustin Hoffman recreates his Obie Award-winning portrayal of Zoditch, a lonely, minor functionary in a publishing house. "Towering performances by Dustin Hoffman and Michael Tolan." --The New York Times. With Charlotte Rae, Michael Nolan, Susan Anspach, and William H. Bassett.

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Monkey Monkey Bottle of Beer, How Many Monkeys Have We Here? (Broadway Theatre Archive) (1974) Review

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(More customer reviews)The title for this play originates from a counting nursery rhyme that indicates who is "it" or "out", so, it may seem apropropriate for the theme of the play. Five women arrive separately to the basement of a hospital to learn the results of an experiment conducted on their mentally challenged 8-year olds. Little is known to the women regarding the experiment, except that it is "needle to the brain with no pain." So, no one knows how the experiment turned out, which of their sons could be improved or worse. Therefore, the title of counting rhyme may indicate one or another's son may have a different outcome.
The setting is the basement of a hospital, and we listen as the five woman sit in a circle, taking her place, and waiting to be called for the doctor. As they wait in closeness, the women's personalities are soon revealed, why they are in the program, their personal issues, attitudes, doubts, finances, fears, etc. There is some dramatic confrontation. So, the gist of the play is mostly that, sitting, chatting, confronting, while waiting.
The character roles are well-defined in the short time we learn about them, and, the acting is well-done. Toward the end, one woman meets with her 8-year old, and realizes he is changed. However, the kid, about 8 years old is not a good actor and unfortunately he had more than enough lines. His acting was so forced and on the brink of noticeable and irritating. It was highly distracting to the work.
Other than that, the play was nothing too memorable. Playwright Marsha Steiness, who has written about 5 plays, is new to me. ........Rizzo.


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The title for this play is taken from a little known nursery rhyme, which involves a game between mother and child. The drama opens in the elegant reception room of a clinic where five women await a first reunion with their children from who they have been separated for two months. As the scene proceeds, their discomfort escalates; the tension, now palpable, suggest there are more complicated issues at play. It seems the children have been participants in an unusual experiment - never fully revealed. The women continue to wait...collective pawns in a situation over which they have no control. Their personal reactions to the stress reveal much about their characters. By Marsha Sheiness.

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Out of Our Fathers' House (Broadway Theatre Archive) (1978) Review

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(More customer reviews)This 70s production was enlightening, and it took me a couple of views to grasp the characters identities. The play, done in a nonconventional format, is about six women with remarkable and notable lives during our history. The six women come together to share their thoughts, dreams, struggles, bravery, movements, privileges, hardships, etc.
The storyline is based on a book by Eve Merriam, Growing Up Female in America (Beacon paperback). Although the book has 10 women, only 6 are present for the play. The title, From Our Father's House, theme derives from the clutches of their father, imposed or instilled. Better yet, the play is not hand-written; the text generates from the works of their journals, letters, diaries, etc. The six women who come together, take turns sharing and listening to one another are...
Dr. Anna Howard Stern (1847-1919), the first ordained women's preacher, doctor and leader of the sufferage movement. Listen, as she determined she overcame her father's message that reading was a waste of time, and she would make nothing of her life. She chose the pulpit over her own family.
Maria Mitchell (1818-1889), the first professional astronomer, whose father was an astronomer. She learned all about astronomy, but at that time, experienced that it was not as valued by the public for a woman with that knowledge.
Elizabeth Southgate (1783-1909), a young girl of privilege, went to finishing school, adored and respected her parents. She writes about finding the right man, marrying, becoming sick, (presumably TB). She died in her mid 20s. There is an interesting collection of her letters available in book form. A Girl's Life Eighty Years Ago: Selections From The Letters Of Eliza Southgate Bowne (1887).
Elizabeth Gertrude Stein (1890-1950), writer, journalist, feminist, shares when husband became sick, she worked in a department story, had a promotion, then went back home. Later, she became a profitable writing earning much.
Elizabeth Cady Stanton (1815-1902), founder of the Women's Suffrage movement. She tells of her age at 12, when her brother in college died, and how he was the pride of her father's heart. She tried to match up to being a male, learning Greek, Latin, etc. Struggling to do it, her father said, "you should have been a boy!"
"Mother" Mary Jones (1830-1930), prominent labor organizer and powerful voice of the underprivileged. Wonderful story telling about her child labor movement. The most mature actress portraying Mary Jones has done a superb job.
Enjoyable, informative, educational, hear the voices of the past, similar to the present.....Rizzo


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This play presents the true stories of women who sought independence at any cost. The compelling text is taken entirely from the diaries, journals and letters of the characters portrayed, among them: Elizabeth Cady Stanton, the powerful founder of the women's suffrage movement; the famous labor organizer "Mother" Mary Jones; and Dr. Anna Howard Shaw, a frontier minister who protected herself by carrying a fully-loaded pistol at all times. Stars two-time Oscar famous labor organizer "Mother" Mary Jones; and Dr. Anna Howard Shaw, a frontier minister who protected herself by carrying a fully-loaded pistol at all times. Stars two-time Oscar® - winner Dianne Wiest (Hannah and Her Sisters) and two-time Emmy® - winner Carol Kane (Taxi).

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The Journey of the Fifth Horse (Broadway Theatre Archive) (1966) Review

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(More customer reviews)Winner of an Obie Award in 1966 for his role as Zoditch in this play by Ronald Ribman, Dustin Hoffman reprises his role here in his first television appearance, an adaptation for NET Playhouse, directed by Larry Arrick. Hoffman is the neurasthenic "first reader" of a small publishing house in Petersburg, Russia, at the turn of the century. Speaking with a high-pitched, nasal whine and with posture resembling a crane--shoulders stooped, head forward, stomach protruding--Zoditch/Hoffman is "an interruption in everyone's conversation," a man who has no friends, no ability to relax, no lady-love, and no promise for the future.
When a housekeeper (fussily played by Charlotte Rae) brings him the diary of Nicolai Chulkaturin, which was left to her when he died, Zoditch at first rejects it but is ordered to read it at home. Chulkaturin (wonderfully played by Michael Tolan), a young man who has just died of tuberculosis, emerges from the pages of the diary and soon reveals that he, too, believes himself to be the equivalent of a "fifth horse," a superfluous addition to the coach of life. When, unexpectedly, Chulkaturin meets a young woman with whom he falls in love (Susan Anspach), his life changes, until a captain in the army sweeps her off her feet.
As the action moves back and forth between the lives of Zoditch and Chulkaturin, the reader observes innumerable parallels between them. In many ways Chulkaturin is what Zoditch wishes he could be--tall, handsome, and in love. Since Anspach and several minor characters plays dual roles both in Chulkaturin's story and in Zoditch's life, the idea of Chulkaturin as Zoditch's alterego expands.
Adapted from a story by Ivan Turgenev, the play offers a bleak reality and, in its conclusion, dark humor, which puts Zoditch's yearnings and false hopes into perspective. Though Hoffman won the Obie, Michael Tolan's acting is equally good--more subtle and less one-dimensional. Susan Anspach is both ingenuous and sexy in her two roles, and Catherine Goffigan as Zoditch's landlady is a scene stealer and wonderful foil for Zoditch. Beautifully produced and movingly acted, the play brings to life turn of the century Russian values and an ineffective little man who feels like the "fifth horse." Mary Whipple


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The trailblazing genius that is Dustin Hoffman is hugely apparent in this, his first starring role on television. Originally produced Off-Broadway, Dustin Hoffman recreates his Obie Award-winning portrayal of Zoditch, a lonely, minor functionary in a publishing house. "Towering performances by Dustin Hoffman and Michael Tolan." --The New York Times. With Charlotte Rae, Michael Nolan, Susan Anspach, and William H. Bassett.

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