Extraordinary art must be tamed. Simon Grindberg is the world’s most illustrious children’s book writer and illustrator —but his next masterpiece is a decade overdue. Peter Chandler is a starving artist with unparalleled potential—but he doesn’t yet know his own value. The two men are thrown together by Clair Forlorni, an ambitious editor who hopes Peter’s youthful exuberance can unleash Simon’s aging genius for one final story. But creativity comes at a cost. The Stone Witch, by Shem Bitterman is a wondrous, hopeful and heartbreaking new play where imagination runs wild.

Directed by Steve Zuckerman (Nuts, “Murphy Brown”) the three-member cast features Dan Lauria (“The Wonder Years,” Lombardi) as Simon Grindberg, with Rupak Ginn (Shakespeare at Fenway, “Royal Pains”) as Peter Chandler, and Carolyn McCormick (Equus, “Law & Order”) as Clair Forlorni.

The creative team for The Stone Witch includes Yael Pardess (set & projection art content design), Mimi Maxmen (costume design), Betsy Adams (lighting design), Christopher Cronin (sound design), Brad Peterson (projection design), and Roger Bellon (composer). The Production Stage Manager is J.P. Elins and Michael Friedlander is Assistant Stage Manager.

Thank goodness Dan Lauria was in this play. The simple and underwhelming storyline by award-winning playwright Shem Bitterman found only a scattering of amusing moments with some clever quips scattered here and there. The Stone Witch, now playing at Westside Theatre, is a story about an aging famous and eccentric author, Simon Grindberg (Dan Lauria), whose last great book was published 12 years ago. His publisher, Clair Forlorni (Carolyn McCormick), is eagerly awaiting his next finished work and sends in a young newcomer author, Peter Chandler (Rupak Ginn), to attempt to assist and motivate Grindberg to finish his book. It was a thrill to see Lauria completely embody a character that, although unoriginal, was delivered with great finesse and commitment to characterization. Lauria’s talents seemed to have been stretched to their limits by being forced to remain in character and continue his spot-on delivery despite performing opposite Ginn and McCormick who did nothing to prove their impressive credits and failed to react with any kind of sensibility against Lauria’s credible impassioned moments. Direction by Steve Zuckerman was stiff, particularly during the set up scene taking pla …Read more