By Dale King
Other People’s Money is a gritty drama, a modern-day tale of greed and financial seduction with just a smidgen of mirth. The 1989 play by Jerry Sterner attracted sold-out crowds to the Delray Beach Playhouse through most of its three-week run, which ended Sunday.
The production focuses on the planned hostile takeover of a long-established, but out-of-date, company in a small, unnamed Rhode Island town. It juxtaposes dark humor with the quest for monetary gain at all costs. Clearly, avarice trumps romance and family values, though several characters fight for truth, justice and the right of honest, hard-working people to keep their jobs in the face of tough times.
Five solid, well-cast actors make this intriguing story work. The set, created by Chip Latimer and Cindi Taylor, resembles an old Rhode Island mill building with its tall brick walls. Randolph DelLago uses his trove of experience to direct the action.
Perhaps the only negative is the dialogue, particularly in Act I, which occasionally bogs down with investment jargon and Wall Street lingo. It may be a little hard for those unfamiliar with high finance to follow, even though the characters usually provide an explanation.
Lawrence Garfinkle, known sarcastically as “Larry the Liquidator,” is the wolf in this Little Rhody fold. Portrayed with fanged glee by Delray Playhouse regular Mark Hetelson, Larry engineers a plot to take the helm at New England Wire and Cable, despite protestations from the firm’s owner, Andrew “Jorgy” Jorgenson (Paul Chuzi) and President Bill Coles (Todd Caster).
Of course, the New York-schooled Garfinkle has no intention of operating a business in a town he can’t stand. He can make more money by closing the factory and selling the assets — which is his forte. Of course, all 1,200 workers would be terminated, but that’s not his concern.
Enter Kate Sullivan (Kari Budyk), a sexy, high-powered lawyer and daughter of Jorgy’s long-time assistant, Bea Sullivan (Charlotte Sherman). The lady barrister steps in to challenge Larry on own turf — in his Manhattan office. While they are butting heads, they’re getting a palpable thrill from the fighting. Clearly, it’s a sexual buzz, with Larry flirting and making indecent proposals while Kate flashes her supple legs and doesn’t say no.
This results in some language and subject matter that aren’t appropriate for kids’ ears, not that they would appreciate the play’s financial themes anyway.
The legal wrangling takes center stage, though Jorgy continues to grasp at the threads of ownership. Despite his attempts to save the company, Coles is looking out for Coles. Seeing the handwriting on the wall, he approaches Garfinkle about a golden parachute severance package.
Jorgy finally agrees to put the clash before the company’s stockholders, who vote on whether to go for Larry the Liquidator’s buyout or stay with family ownership. Packed with tension, the scene also tests the actors’ talents — and, as expected, they come through with aces. Chuzi and Hetelson are outstanding in their opposing pleas to the crowd.
In his nasty role as Garfinkle, Hetelson continues to play against type. For years, he has been cast in comic portrayals. But he opened this season as a bad guy in Wait until Dark — and did a nice job. During his 17 years at the Playhouse, he has rarely, if ever, given less than full throttle.
Back in South Florida from Boston, Budyk portrays the gutsy Kate with passion and verve. The audience doesn’t know if she’s falling for Larry’s line of bull or holding her own. The role is at least a 180-degree turn from her recent role as one of the ditzy Pigeon sisters in The Odd Couple at Lake Worth Playhouse.
Chuzi is excellent as Jorgy, a character steeped in hope and family pride. He brings New England charm and fortitude to the role. His plea to save the company is particularly heart-wrenching and dramatic.
In his role as Bill, Caster is multi-faceted, showing one face to management and another to Larry. His defection is something of a surprise since it comes out of the blue. He does well to keep that side hidden.
Rounding out the cast is another Delray Playhouse staple, Charlotte Sherman. A familiar face on this stage, she has appeared in many roles, including a lead spot in last year’s You Can’t Take It With You, where she shared the stage with Chuzi.
Editor’s note: Technical difficulties prevented this review from being posted before the end of the show’s run.