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Community Corner

Theater Review: 'The Gronholm Method'

The play focuses on the cutthroat methods of making it big in the corporate world.

If you are looking for a play about the foibles and travails of psychology in today’s business world, look no further than The Gronholm Method. 

The production is by Jordi Galceran Ferrer and presented by Baby Tiger Productions, Daniel Wallace and Trish Whitehurst in association with the Falcon Theatre running through Sep. 30 at the Falcon Theatre in Burbank.

This play is rare because instead of telling us how the human mind works, it shows us.

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Four corporate warriors come together in one room to compete for one senior management position using The Gronholm Method, a system meant to separate the weak from the strong.

In this game of manipulation, betrayal and reversals, left is right and right is left.

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This is more a work about the injustice and tragedy of the psychological brotherhood and sisterhood than it is about anything else.

The method points-out the oft-thought, but rarely-spoken philosophy that psychologists may be more disturbed than their patients and therefore take advantage of them rather than vice versa.

It certainly underscores a certain amount of treachery and lack of humanity in the profession.

This play also highlights the depth to which corporate interviewees sink to land that dream job. And it isn’t pretty.

Ferrer’s language is direct and in-your-face. What is not said is as important as what is stated. Ferrer has a unique knowledge and understanding of both the boardroom and the human heart. Here he meshes them like toast and butter.

B.T. McNicholl’s direction is energetic, highly-paced and creates a unique chemistry and bond between the four characters which is seen as well as unseen.

Stephen Spinella (Rick) proves to be funny and realistic, creating a character one will not soon forget. His opening moments set the tone for the rest of the play.

Graham Hamilton (Carl) is a convincing actor who gets stronger as the play moves along. His is a rare combination of believability and sensitivity.

Lesli Margherita (Melanie) is sexy, yet intelligent. She does not allow herself to be kicked-around by the three men. She displays an inner confidence which adds to the play’s backbone.

But it is Jonathan Cake (Frank) who runs away with the play. Combining stage presence, humor and courage he whisks the audience off to an ending we think we understand until the play completely changes direction in the final 15 minutes.

Adding to the play are Jennifer Schriever’s lighting design, Ann Closs-Farley’s costume design, Cricket Myers’ sound design and Brian Webb’s scenic design.

All in all, The Gronholm Method should be seen not because it makes a clear statement, but because it leaves the final assessment up to the audience.

Showtimes and ticket prices:

Tue.-Fri. At 8 p.m.

Sat. at 2 p.m. & 8 p.m.

Sun. at 4 p.m. & 7 p.m.

Weekdays (Wed/Thurs): $34.50-$37

Wekends (Fri/Sat/Sun): $39.50-$42

Tickets: (818) 955-8101

The Falcon Theatre, 4252 Riverside Drive, Burbank.

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