The Heart of A Man

When Barry Levinson and Tom Fontana were filming their short lived, albeit excellent, television series, The Jury Mr. Levinson had to step into the judge’s shoes when the original portrayer, Sidney Lumet, had to step aside. Well, if anyone could possibly fill a top notch director’s shoes it would be another top notch director. Once again it seems that Mr. Levinson is going to fill Mr. Lumet’s shoes by taking on Arthur Miller’s A View From the Bridge. Anthony LaPaglia will reprise his theatrical triumph from 1998 as Eddie Carbone in Mr. Levinson’s upcoming film (2006). In the meantime theater goers in Dublin, Ireland at the Gate Theater on July 28 will experience Mr. Christopher Meloni in the impassioned role.

Mr. Lumet’s 1961 film with Raf Vallone was a study in working class sexuality and male identity. The right actor with the right intensity and control just might be able to pull all those elements together. Those who are familiar with Mr. Meloni and his work find this a stroke of casting genius.

One of Meloni’s favorite novels is Christ in Concrete and there are some parallels in the telling of these Italian-American working class tales. Most people know Mr. Meloni from the small screen and in many instances the passion required for his literal and figurative voyage into the heart of American Drama can be seen there. Chris Keller (OZ) and Jimmy Leary (NYPD Blue) in particular were Christopher Meloni’s acting manifestations that evidenced his acting coglioni, which is Italian for heart.