Nicholas Podany Hits the Mark as Buddy in Jim Leonard’s ‘Diviners’

Theater Review

Nicholas Podany, a 14-year-old freshman at Brentwood School, gives a dynamic performance as Buddy Layman, in ‘The Diviners,’ playing at Pierson Playhouse in Pacific Palisades through February 20. Set in a rural Indiana town named Zion during the Great Depression, Jim Leonard’s play follows the friendship that forms between Buddy and an out-of-towner, C.C. Showers (actor Brett Chapin), a disillusioned preacher. C.C. strives to help Buddy overcome his deep-seeded fears. Meanwhile, the community, which has been without a preacher for 10 years, turns to C.C. to restore the gospel, which results in a tragic turn of events.   Podany has appeared in ’13, the Musical,’ ‘Oliver!’ and ‘Nicholas Nickleby.’ In this play, he compellingly portrays a mentally disabled boy who is terrified of water after his mother drowned while saving him. His body literally quivers whenever a bucket of bathing water is brought near him. He transforms from a playful boy chasing bugs and birds to grabbing his head and falling to the ground whenever it begins to rain. Playing C.C., Chapin gives an impressive performance, conveying his affection for Buddy. In one poignant scene, he tells Buddy, who wants to fly like a bird so that he can be reunited with his mother in heaven, that his loved ones would want him to stay on earth as their brother, son and friend. Actor Oh Ryne effectively portrays a loving father who doesn’t know how to cope with Buddy’s condition.   Also notable is actress Pat Perkins who humorously plays the dubious neighbor (Luella Bennett). She questions everybody about everything with rolling eyes and disdainful looks. Actors Jordan Bland, James Giordano and Emma Hawley, as the town’s teenagers, also elicit laughter with their carousing and dancing.   The sound and lighting effects at the end of the play create a sorrowful and dramatic ending. The show plays on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. The theater is located at 941 Temescal Canyon Road at Haverford Avenue. Information and reservations: (310) 454-1970. Tickets are available at the box office, Wednesdays-Saturdays, 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.