Reviews

by Jose Ruiz

People can be a powerful force on others, especially when emotions are involved. In the case of photographer Alfred Stieglitz and painter Georgia O'Keeffe, we see two people whose passions engulfed their art, their lives, and each other to the point that they felt their very existence depended on the other. Yet, O'Keeffe fought desperately to deny her reliance on Stieglitz; she even separated from him to prove to herself that she could paint without him. This semi-biographical tale explores both artist's frustrations and need for recognition in a world where photography was not yet an art and all recognized painters were men.

In a love story that had torrid peaks and apathetic valleys, the could whose age was separated by more than a score of years, is skillfully and empathetically portrayed by Pamela Gaye Walker and Jim Ortlieb in sensitive and compelling performances. Director Mary-Pat Green guides the actors in a studied presentation that is obviously conscientious enough to explore the inner feelings of the protagonists.

Lanie Robertson's lucid dialogue and story takes us through the important highlights of the lover's lives. Starting with Stieglitz's death, the play goes on to flashback to their first meeting, to their first intimate encounter, to their arguments and then to their tormented separation; all of these scenes underscore the volatility of the two artists and their quests for expression.

O'Keeffe's uncertainty could easily be that of most women, as she wonders if being one means having to give birth, and if doing so would change who she is as an artist as well as a human being. He, on the other hand, feels the need to always create, and claims that "the light never goes out when you're an artist". Yet they both seem unfulfilled as they desperately try to fill an uncertain void. The same could be said for many, who go through life wondering if more could be done, if enough was done, or if anything can be done without someone near and dear. Georgia O'Keeffe continued painting after Alfred Stieglitz died in 1946, but we are never sure if she continued to be as fulfilled as she felt when she was with him.