Reviews

'Stieglitz' a Standout at Fremont Theatre

by Frances Baum Nicholson

When listing the great romances of the 20 th Century, one cannot leave out the tempestuous, artistically rich relationship between Alfred Stieglitz and Georgia O'Keeffe. When the man who introduced photography as an art form to the United States met O'Keeffe, with her unique take on painting and nature, there was an explosion of creativity and passion on both parts, which helped shape the art of their era.

Now the Fremont Centre Theatre in South Pasadena is presenting the Outer Critic's Circle Award-Winning "Alfred Stieglitz Loves O'Keeffe" by Lanie Robertson, a satisfying tribute to the two dynamic individuals and the world they created.
Using, as its touchstone, the day of Stieglitz's death, it looks back at major moments in a relationship as complex as it was rich. The dual of intellects provides moments of great humor, considerable insight, and the touching connection between two spirits whose friction inspired their expression.

The two-member cast brings all of this to vivid, delightful life. Pamela Gaye Walker's grounded, forthright style matching the O'Keeffe one has seen in interviews and with the real artist in her later years; humorous, dedicated, convinced with the rightness of her choices.

Jim Ortlieb brings to Stieglitz, the humor, passion and conviction which allowed him to buck convention and family expectation to foment an artist movement.

Director Mary-Pat Green has a strong visual style, using the combination of live action and projected art with an innate naturalness, and offering in the live action, whispers of photographs any aficionado of this couple remembers, all the while avoiding overstating the case. It's a lovely mesh of media, and the whole proceeding works like a well-oiled clock.
Of the shows I have seen recently at small theatres, "Alfred Stieglitz Loves O'Keeffe" stands out providing a solid script, polished professionalism, a passion for the subject matter and impressively memorable performances. For any art lover to miss it would be a shame.