Total Rating: 
****
Opened: 
June 5, 2004
Ended: 
July 18, 2004
Country: 
USA
State: 
California
City: 
San Diego
Company/Producers: 
Cygnet Theater
Theater Type: 
Regional
Theater: 
Cygnet Theater
Theater Address: 
6663 El Cajon Boulevard
Phone: 
(619) 337-1525, x. 3
Genre: 
Musical
Author: 
Music: Polly Pen; Book: Laurence Klavan, adapting Abram Room film
Director: 
Sean Murray
Review: 

Immediately dial 619-337-1525 for your reservations to Cygnet's production of Bed and Sofa, a theatrical event you must see.

Bed and Sofa defies easy classification. Is it opera? Is it a silent film with music? Whatever you call it, it is a tour de force by three extremely talented actors/singers: Julie Jacobs in the role of Ludmilla; Eric Anderson as Kolya, her husband; and Michael Elliott as Volodya, Kolya's friend and occupant of the sofa. Under Sean Murray's direction, this production is flawless. Murray cast for talent, acting and singing, as well as a chemistry that is electric.

Bed and Sofa
is based on a Russian silent film of the 1920s. Laurence Klavan's book and lyrics tell the story of Ludmilla's love for her dominating husband, Kolya. Kolya's friend, Volodya, needs a place to stay in over-crowded Moscow, and Kolya invites him to use the sofa. When Kolya leave town on business, Ludmilla becomes intimate with Volodya, thus creating the drama of the story.

Polly Pen's music is engaging, dramatic and passionately evokes early 20th Century Russia. Musical director Don LeMaster on keyboard and Wendy Hoover on violin are accomplished performers and perfect complements to the fine singers. The theme song, Bed and Sofa, as it is reprised several times, symbolically delineates the changing affiliations and power shifts of the three characters.

Julie Jacobs, Ludmilla, is brilliant both in voice and acting. We know just what she is feeling as she goes from seductress to shrew, from loving wife to mistress, from despair to resolve. Eric Anderson (Kolya) is strong and dramatic, his bass range offering drama to this comedy. We feel he is totally Russian in his moves and his expressions. Michael Elliot's tenor voice contrasts well with Anderson's. He conveys Volodya's sensitivity, while depicting him as very much a Russian male.

Sean Murray's gray-scale design includes professionally rendered graphics with images of Stalin, Charlie Chaplin, a train, and classic Russian architecture. The appointments are limited since this is, after all, a rather bad time in Russian.

The action is highlighted by Karin Filijan's creative lighting and effectively enhanced by Kenny Lewis' sound design. The drabness of the period (1926) is accented by Shelly Williams' gray costumes and pallid makeup and Bonnie Durben's realistic props.

In my years of reviewing for this website, I have given the highest rating only to two productions - both have been at Cygnet. The venue should be on your permanent calendar of events, and Bed and Sofa should top your list of must sees.

Parental: 
adult themes
Cast: 
Eric Anderson, Michael Elliott, Julie Jacobs
Technical: 
Music Director: Don LeMaster; Set: Sean Murray; Lighting: Karin Filijan; Costumes: Shelly Williams; Sound: Kenny Lewis; Properties: Bonnie Durben
Critic: 
Robert Hitchcox
Date Reviewed: 
June 2004