Alexander Dinelaris has a powerful axe to grind: the genocidal slaughter of Armenians by the Turks in 1915. His fascinating, intricate play about a man’s search for his past, Red Dog Howlsis deeply funny and profoundly moving as the man (Alfredo Narciso) finds his 91-year-old grandmother (Kathleen Chalfant) living in New York and secrets are gradually revealed.
Florencia Lozano is lovely as the pregnant wife of the grandson, and Narciso communicates well. Chalfant gives one the most brilliant, transcendent performances I have ever seen, bringing a depth of emotion and a physicality (enhanced by an accurate accent) to her role that is a rare treat for someone who sees one to two hundred shows a year.
With well-focused direction by Ken Rus Schmoll on Marsha Ginsberg’s workable set, with expert lighting by Tyler Micoleau, the play is totally gripping, with the audience fully emotionally engaged for most of its 90 minutes— until — the crime described near the end is so grotesque and horrible that I found myself emotionally standing back from the play and seeing it intellectually-- in a way, losing contact (which I then regained).
Questions are answered and motivations understood by the end, and Red Dog Howls is indeed a vivid howl about actual historical events and their effects on a family. In his fascinating 1976 book, “Passage to Ararat,” Michael J. Arlen similarly explored his Armenian past in San José, in Soviet Armenia, and, eventually in Turkey, where he found the attitude to be: “We didn’t do it, and even if we did, they’re only Armenians.”
I was particularly interested in the play because in the past couple of years I performed at mime festivals in Armenia, and a few months ago in Istanbul, Turkey. I felt warmth and hospitality in both countries. The Turks never mentioned the Armenians. The Armenians mentioned the Turks.
Previews:
September 4, 2012
Opened:
September 24, 2012
Ended:
October 14, 2012
Country:
USA
State:
New York
City:
New York
Company/Producers:
New York Theater Workshop
Theater Type:
off-Broadway
Theater:
New York Theater Workshop
Theater Address:
79 East 4th Street
Phone:
212-279-4200
Website:
nytw.org
Genre:
Drama
Director:
Ken Rus Schmoll
Review:
Cast:
Kathleen Chalfant, Florencia Lozano, Alfredo Narciso
Technical:
Set: Marsha Ginsberg. Lighting: Tyler Micoleau. Sound: Jane Shaw
Critic:
Richmond Shepard
Date Reviewed:
September 2012
