Apologia

Apologia

Roundabout Theatre Company

Laura Pels Theatre

September 29, 2018

Photo courtesy of Roundabout Theatre Company

Stockard Channing is brilliant in Apologia, Alexi Kay Campbell’s play presently being produced Off Broadway by Roundabout Theatre Company.  The theme of self-forgiveness is prominently explored as a mother faces the feelings she kept buried deep within herself for decades, caused when her children were taken from her by their father.  Mr. Campbell has written rich, complex characters.  Through skillful dialogue and a precise structure, the story unfolds to reveal their unspoken truths.  Director Daniel Aukin masterfully builds the tension to a stunning climax.

Peter (played by Hugh Dancy) brings home his girlfriend, Trudi (played by Talene Monahon) to meet his mother, Kristin Miller (played by Stockard Channing), during her birthday celebration.  Kristin is 

The cast of Apologia in rehearsal
Photo courtesy of Roundabout Theatre Company

a world renowned art historian and political activist with an intimidating demeanor.  She is of American descent and has lived in England since she was twenty-two.  She is taken back by the discovery that Trudi is not only American, but enlightening Peter to be a born again Christian.  Her sons, both Peter and Simon (also played by Hugh Dancy), cannot live up to her highly idealistic expectations.  This includes her disappointment that Simon is dating Claire, a materialistic soap opera star (played by Megalyn Echikunwoke).  When conversations opens about Kristin’s newly published memoire, Peter attacks her because she did not mention him or his brother in the book.  The basic core beliefs of everyone are brought into question, and Kristin unearths and faces her deepest sense of loss and failure.

Stockard Channing & Director Daniel Aukin in rehearsal
Photo courtesy of Roundabout Theatre Company

Stockard Channing creates a monumental character in Kristin Miller.  The stories she tells are mesmerizing and moving.  She has a genuine chemistry with the four other actors with whom she shares the stage.  Hugh Dancy is charming and personable as Peter, then dark and introspective as Simon.  The character of Peter has a powerful moment of confrontation with his mother toward the end of Act I.  Mr. Dancy flows into that moment and delivers it with sincere force that raises the stakes for all the characters.

John Tillinger, Talene Monahon, Stockard Channing, 
Playwright Alexi Kay Campbell, Hugh Dancy, 
Megalyn Echikunwoke, & Director Daniel Aukin
Photo courtesy of Roundabout Theatre Company

In the opening of the play Talene Monahon portrays Trudi as meek and polite when she meets Kristin Miller.  Ms. Channing plays these scenes with high self-esteem and graceful condescension.  Ms. Monahon’s Trudi does not flinch.  She firmly holds her ground while being highly impressed by Kristin’s intelligence and self-assurance.  In the second Act, Ms. Monahon reveals the source of Trudi’s strength.  We see her as an equally powerful woman to Ms. Channing’s Kristin.  There is a tender moment of bonding between the two women at the end of Act II, which pushes Ms. Channing’s character to brutally face her truth.

Playwright Alexi Kaye Campbell’s most skillfully crafted dialogue is in the opening scene of Act II, between Simon and Kristin.  The scene has a rhythm and tone that draws the audience slowly and deeply into the emotional depth of both characters.  The connection between Ms. Channing and Mr. Dancy in this scene is sincere and caring.  All the action prior to this scene pours into this important interaction, then magnificently flows forward to the end of the play.

This play is amazing!  The word “apologia” is defined during the play and on the program cover as meaning “a vindication, a justification, an explanation.”  It is said that it is very different from an apology.  Apologia is running at the Laura Pels Theatre though December 16.  You must see it!

Domenick Danza