Drama

Whatever doubts I had about seeing an early Brecht polemical play evaporated once the dialogue began. Rather than some embalmed period piece, Peter Mellencamps great new translation realized through Michael Rothhaars first-rate direction spoke to me instead of the seemingly neverending battle by ordinary folks for any paying jobs & illusive job security in our latest economic bubble, just as wealthy Wall Streeters wring their hands in despair at the downturn while clinging hard to their excessive pay, perks & power. Brecht apparently lifted heavily from Shaws "Saint Joan" & "Major Barbara", besides from Fritz Langs 1927 classic German film "Metropolis", using its heroine, Maria, & its callous capitalist captain of the industrial machine, Frederson, to create Joan Dark, piously sanctimonious street preacher to the great unwashed, & Pierpont Mauler, feckless, conceited manipulator of the meatpacking masses, for his modern view of the downside of monetary martyrdom in "Saint Joan of the Slaughterhouses". The production is fabulous! The intimate setting at Pacific Resident Theatre puts the audience right in the center action in Brechts perfect modern passion play of all-corrupting greed & abuse by amorally selfish power. Dalia Vosylius is luminous & totally outstanding in her star turn playing the extremely demanding role of Joan Dark. An excellent, thoroughly professional supporting ensemble cast essay fine, measured performances, especially those of Andrew Parks, Robin Becker, Daniel Riordan & Norman Scott as palpably sleazy, grasping titans of industry, giving a contemporary cutting edge to this wonderful production, particularly with Norman Scotts inspired set & lighting design. Highly recommended. See it soon!

rating: 38477 stars  ·  posted on 6/28/2009 at 7:46 PM

I saw this play, St. Joan of the Slaughterhouses last week. Brecht can be a hard pill to swallow... but the production at Pacific Resident Theatre is nothing short of amazing. The set, costumes and lighting create a sort of 1930s noir time and place. The acting by this seamless ensemble is breathtaking. There are no missed notes. Everyone hits their high marks from beginning to end. The direction is by a man named Michael Rothaar, who must be responsible for the bright and furious clip that this show has. Again, outstanding performances from Dalia Vosylius, Andrew Parks, Norman Scott, Robin Becker, Daniel Riordan and more.... The story could have been written yesterday, as it has a central theme of market manipulation leading to market crash. Sound familiar? Its a shame that a play 80 years old about the problems of our system remains so succinct. This is a huge show in a small theatre. Which reminds me... make your reservations as soon as you know when you can go. It is a small theatre. The show was sold out, and there were people on the waiting list...

rating: no rating  ·  posted on 6/25/2009 at 2:30 AM

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