Golden Boy - Has Some Punch

Golden Boy a 1937 revival by iconic playwright Clifford Odets about a young man struggling between two opposing careers:  a violin virtuoso or violent boxer.  The dichotomy between the artisitic world and boxing world are too punishing to reconcile.  Joe Bonaparte, a brash young fighter barges into the run down offices of Tom, a boxing manager, promoting himself as the next great white way.  Bing, bang, boom - Joe's taken under the wing of Tom and finds himself quite taken with Tom's mistress, Lorna.  This takes place on the eve of Joe's 21st birthday.  Joe's Italian, immigrant father is played winningly by Tony Shalhoub (a real pro.)   Mr. Bonaparte is waiting at home to present Joe his birthday gift, an expensive violin he has worked & saved for to ensure his son a musical occupation.  Shalhoub does not hit a false note.  In fact, he delivers a knockout performance of a loving father who wants what's in his son's best interest.  Joe's interests have taken a surprise left hook into the boxing ring  baffling his father and taking his own soul down for the count. There are various other rounds of conflicts in the play.  The major bout is Joe's, "I'm a sparrow but I wanted to be an eagle and soar.  Now I'm half a man.  I'm useless."  Mr. Bonaparte also mourns the loss of Joe's freedom & future.  "An artistic man must be free for music."  Odets' Golden Boy is still a contender, but it is Mr. Shalhoub's performance that gives the show power in its corner.