Virginia Wolfe wrote one play, Freshwater,.to be performed one time by her friends and family for "a laughing evening." The brilliant, innovative director Anne Bogart has now staged it for the rest of us. Since I wasn't onstage myself having a good time, or part of a family in-group watching friends be foolish, it didn't quite work for me.
They try for farce, but the actors mock the characters they are playing, so all gestures are broad, all words recited. To be truly funny, one has to be real in odd situations.
As usual with Bogart, all the stage pictures work -- in design and flow. There is a lovely love scene, and a great absurd punch line at the end, and I'm sure they all had a great time in 1935 when a bunch of compadres cavorted in the back yard as they mocked Tennyson and Art and Artists in general. The first-rate production features set and costumes by James Schuette, lighting by Brian H. Scott. All in all, a somewhat amusing romp.
Opened:
January 25, 2009
Ended:
February 15, 2009
Country:
USA
State:
New York
City:
New York
Company/Producers:
Women's Project, Julie Crosby & SITI Company
Theater Type:
off-Broadway
Theater:
Julia Miles Theater
Theater Address:
424 West 55 st.
Phone:
212-239-6200
Running Time:
75 min
Genre:
Comedy
Director:
Anne Bogart
Review:
Cast:
Ellen Lauren (Julia), Kelly Mauerer (Ellen), Gian Murray Gianino (John), Akiko Aizawa (Mary), Tom Nelis (Charles)
Technical:
Set & Costumes: James Schuette; Lighting: Brian H. Scott; Sound: Darron L. West; Hair/Wigs: Anne Ford-Coates; Prod Mgr: Aduro Productions
Other Critics:
NYTIMES Charles Isherwood 1/09 -
Critic:
Richmond Shepard
Date Reviewed:
February 2009
