Martin Sheen is supposed to be the sentimental draw inThe Subject Was Roses, the revival of a Pulitzer-Prize winning play by Frank Gilroy, which runs through March 21 at L.A.s Mark Taper Forum.
When it opened on Broadway in 1964, Sheen played the son who returns from WWII; this time hes the dad.
Naturally, the 69-year-old actor is terrific as the emotionally detached John Clearly, who attempts to use beer and boxing to reconnect with son Timmy, played adequately enough by Brian Geraghty (The Hurt Locker).
Credit: Craig Schwartz
Ultimately, though, its Frances Conroy (Six Feet Under) who stands out as Nettie Clearly, the lonely wife who lives with the sad truth that the bloom has long been off the rose of their marriage.Grade: B
(Tickets:centertheatregroup.orgor 213-628-2772)
