Arthur Miller (1915-2005) was a modern tragedian whose plays often depict how families are wrought with problems, both personal and social. He wrote Broken Glass, in 1994, but nevertheless, focused it in Brooklyn in 1938, the year of Krystallnacht (Broken Glass), when a series of violent attacks against the Jews was prevalent throughout Nazi Germany.

Sylvia Gellburg (Susan Angelo) has become obsessed with reading about the violence against the Jewish people in Germany. One evening, while out with her husband Phillip (Michael Bofshever), she suddenly collapses and can no longer walk. Her doctor, Harry Hyman (Stephen Burleigh) is at a loss as to what is causing her paralysis as he can find no physical reason for her malady.

 

When Phillip visits Dr. Hyman's office and is greeted by the doctor's wife Margaret (Peggy Dunne), he becomes agitated with her because she erroneously calls him "Mr. Goldberg" more than once, and he coldly reminds her that his name is not Goldberg, but Gellburg. Phillip also likes to boast about his high position at a very prestigious bank, and particularly about the fact that he is the only Jewish person working for Stanton Case (Lindsey Ginter) in the company. It appears that Phillip is not always comfortable in his world as a Jew. While tensions mount between Sylvia and Phillip, she seems to find the most consolation in her visits from Dr. Hyman. Though he is not a psychiatrist, he believes her symptoms to be psychosomatic and treats her as such since she refuses to see another doctor. This adds a strain on Phillips relations with Dr. Hyman as well. Why Sylvia's fixation with the news of Germany and why did her paralysis happen simultaneously?

When Broken Glass ran on Broadway, it was nominated for a Tony Award. It is probably not one of Arthur Miller's most triumphant plays nor one that is often produced. However, this production presented by the West Coast Jewish Theatre, is worth seeing because of the superb acting by a cast of outstanding actors. Elina de Santos does an excellent job directing.

Broken Glass plays Thursday through Saturdays at 8 PM, Sundays at 2 PM, through Sunday, April 17, at the Pico Playhouse, 10508 Pico Blvd., in Los Angeles. Reservations are available by calling (323) 821o-2449, or by going online at www.wcjt.org. Recommended. Also ask about the West Coast Jewish Theatre's upcoming productions, Luv by Murray Schisgal and the musical version of The Immigrant by Mark Harelik.