[NoHo Arts District, CA] – A NoHo Arts theatre review of Barrymore, a play by William Luce, starring Vito D’Ambrosio, directed by Bryan Rasmussen, and returning to Whitefire Theatre Solofest 2025 on May 10.
How can you possibly capture the brilliance of John Barrymore’s career on stage and screen in one solo show?
William Luce’s Barrymore, the title role played masterfully by the phenomenal Vito D’Ambrosio, is a glorious exploration of the man in the latter part of his life. Post film career, post Broadway headliner, post four divorces. He rehearses for a showcase. He is to perform a selection of his most famous roles, and as he tries to remember his lines, with the help of his trusted and underpaid stage manager – a disembodied voice from the wings – he wanders haplessly into recollections of his life, his loves and his career.
Barrymore is a beautifully written play. Full of humor and heartbreak, all wrapped up in the marvellously melancholy drama of John Barrymore.
Barrymore’s famous stagger notwithstanding, he was an icon of American theatre, silent film and then early Hollywood movies. But he was a well-known alcoholic and that kind of relentless self abuse shortened his career as well as his life.
Vito D’Ambrosio channels Barrymore rather than plays him. The physical resemblance helps enormously, of course, but it is his embrace of the essence of the man that transforms him. He captures the comic qualities as well as the sadness and regret.
Even as he laments on lost loves and lost fortunes, his charm and wit compel us to love him. A rogue he was, but his talent could not be denied, and Vito charms us all as Barrymore, as well as himself.
To spend a hour or so in the presence of John Barrymore is an absolute gift and Vito D’Ambrosio is Barrymore. Totally and completely. Without affectation or irony, he is utterly spellbinding as this wonderful, tragic man. Larger than life and larger still in death.
I cannot recommend Barrymore highly enough. Bryan Rasmussen directs this piece with his usual brilliance, coaxing perfection from an artist already well on his way to it. I would also like to make a special mention of Mitch Rosander, who plays the stage manager from the wings with utterly perfect comic timing…
I absolutely loved this play!! Please don’t miss it in May!
Barrymore will return for the Best of the Fest, on May 10 at The Whitefire Theatre.
Tickets:
https://whitefire.stagey.net/projects/11490?performance_id=27495&tab=performance&embed=false