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`IMMIGRANT` A HUDDLED MASS OF SWEETNESS

”The Immigrant,” Mark Harelik`s new play, is the author`s affectionate tribute to his grandfather, a Russian Jew who came to the United States in 1910, settled in Hamilton, Tex. (pop., 1,200), opened a dry-goods business there, raised three sons, watched his family multiply and lived on to a very old age.

Harelik himself played the title role in his play`s premiere at the Denver Center Theatre Company, and you can tell that this piece, which Wisdom Bridge Theatre is now introducing to Chicago, came straight from his heart.

The story begins with his grandfather Haskell`s arrival in Texas, and, with the aid of slides from the Harelik family album, it focuses on Haskell`s long friendship with a folksy Gentile couple who give him his first helping hand and thus become his saviors in the new land.

The play is simple and sweet, to a fault. It is capable of producing a catch in the throat through eloquent sentiment, but it also can almost force one to gag on its gooey overwriting.

By limiting his cast of characters to two couples–Haskell and his wife Leah, and banker Milton Perry and his wife Ima–he achieves a neat balance and an uncluttered storyline, but he also limits his range in exploring more complex areas of the immigrant`s experience.

There is some talk of Haskell`s having been fired upon by rowdy, prejudiced townsfolk when he first sets forth with his peddler`s wagon, and there`s an awkwardly prolonged, increasingly bitter dinner table debate between Haskell and Milton Perry over American isolationism in World War II. On the whole, however, the play sticks to ”Fiddler on the Roof” truisms and domestic drama cliches: the Jewish boy and the Texas folk being aw-shucks neighborly, the shy child bride arriving from the old country with pots and pans strung around her neck, the nervous husband awaiting the birth of his first child, etc.

The tale of a stranger making his home in a strange land is a moving one, and Harelik often imbues it with tenderness and humor. He also goes on far too long for this slender memoir, writing scenes that could be much better if they were much shorter. And the ending, which abruptly brings the audience up to date on the grandfather`s advanced senility, surprisingly and ironically sours the play`s sweetness.

Director Doug Finlayson and the Wisdom Bridge production staff have papered over many of the play`s odd jumps and cracks with an attractive design. Russ Borski`s scenery, a painted Texas sky in the background and stage wagons wheeled on for specific settings, efficiently glides the story along, and Richard Woodbury`s original music is very effective as background and bridge to the action.

Within the limitations of their characters, the four actors perform well. Durward McDonald is excessively crusty but lovable as Milton Perry; Mary Ann Thebus is amusing and touching as his wife Ima (though she too faithfully captures the irritating voice about which her husband complains); and Leyla Modir is gentle and wide-eyed as Haskell`s wife.

As the hero Haskell, David Studwell, growing from youth to old age, has the charm and the presence, as well as the skill and sincerity, to make even the play`s slightest writing assume a third dimension.

`THE IMMIGRANT: A HAMILTON COUNTY ALBUM`

A play written by Mark Harelik and conceived by Harelik and Randal Myler. Directed by Doug Finlayson, with a set by Russ Borski, lighting by Julie Mack, costumes by Kathryn Schimmelpfennig, music by Richard Woodbury, slides by Doug Smith and sound by Rob Milburn. Opened May 22 at Wisdom Bridge Theatre, 1559 W. Howard St., and plays at 8 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, 5 and 8:30 p.m. Saturday and 3 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, through July 13. Length of performance, 2:40. Tickets are $15 and $17. Group rates are available. Phone 743-6442.

THE CAST

Haskell Harelik……………………….David Studwell

Miton Perry…………………………Durward McDonald

Ima Perry……………………………Mary Ann Thebus

Leah Harelik…………………………….Leyla Modir