At Home at the Zoo

At Home at the Zoo

Signature Theatre

The Pershing Square Signature Center

February 10, 2018

Photo courtesy of Signature Theatre

Edward Albee’s At Home at the Zoo, the two act version of his 1959 groundbreaking play The Zoo Story, is presently bring presented at Signature Theatre.  The production is excellently cast.  Director Lila Neugebauer has an expansive vision for the play.  The timing and character development are amazingly precise.

Peter (played by Robert Sean Leonard) is at home reading when his wife, Ann (played by Katie Finneran) enters from the kitchen and proclaims, “We should talk.”  Peter is so immersed in his reading that he does not hear her.  She manage to get his attention.  They get to talking, and it is viscerally understood how complacent they are in their marriage.  They are both very happy living in their Upper East Side apartment with their two daughters, two cats, and two parakeets, then Ann mentions her occasional need for something more animalistic.  Peter is perplexed.  He goes to Central Park to read, where he meets Jerry (played by Paul Sparks).  Again, Peter is so immersed in his reading that at first he does not notice that someone is talking to him.  Jerry, however, is  much more successful than Ann at getting Peter’s animal nature aroused.

Katie Finneran & Robert Sean Leonard
Photo courtesy of Signature Theatre

Robert Sean Leonard and Katie Finneran are captivating in Act I.  Their relationship is deeply rooted and realistic, based on decades of familiarity and comfort.  Their dialogue reveals new aspects of both their personalities, yet they remain calm and accepting with one another.  Paul Sparks is intoxicating as Jerry.  His rhythm and physicality keep you engaged through Edward Albee’s detailed monologues in Act II.  The connections between these characters are vital to the climactic impact of the play, and this cast masterfully creates the bonds that are needed.

Paul Sparks & Robert Sean Leonard
Photo courtesy of Signature Theatre

Scenic design by Andrew Lieberman is open and abstract.  The realistic green arm chair in Act I and the five iron and wood park benches in Act II keep the action grounded and realistic.  Edward Albee’s At Home at the Zoo: Homelife & The Zoo Story is playing at Pershing Square Signature Center through March 11.  Go see it!

Domenick Danza

Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf?

Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf?

National Theatre Live in the UK

Brooklyn Academy of Music

June 10, 2017

Photo courtesy of National Theatre Live from the UK

Brooklyn Academy of Music is presenting a series of National Theatre Live from the UK screenings.  The latest, Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf?, was live from the Harold Pinter Theatre in London.  The screening included background information on the work of Edward Albee as well as a discussion about the set and costume design of the production.  This series is an excellent opportunity to experience gripping, high quality, live theatre from across the pond.

Imelda Staunton & Conleth Hill
Photo courtesy of National Theatre Live from the UK

Martha (played by Imelda Staunton), daughter of a university president, and her husband George (played by Conleth Hill), a history professor, invite a young couple (played by Luke Treadaway and Imogene Poots) for a night cap after a university gathering.  As the drinking gets out of hand, everyone’s dark secrets come out in the open.  It is a devastating evening of truth or dare, especially when the distortion of games and facts begin to disentangle.  

Imelda Staunton as Martha
Photo courtesy of National Theatre Live from the UK

Imelda Staunton is on fire as Martha.  She bursts in at the opening of the play, only to continually escalate as the journey continues.  She is equally matched with Conleth Hill as George.  Together they take the audience on a roller coaster ride fueled by frustration, passion, disappointment and anger.  Luke Treadaway is a little stiff as Nick, yet he successfully portrays the character’s determined ambition.  Just when you think he is victorious, he breaks.  His quiet agenda swiftly crumbles.  Imogene Poots is well cast as Honey.  When her façade quickly fades, the depth of her fragility and emptiness is frighteningly exposed.

Luke Treadaway & Imogene Poots
Photos courtesy of National Theatre Live from the UK

Directed by James Macdonald, this production is sharp, biting, and unnerving.  His clear breakdown of beats in Edward Albee’s phenomenal writing gradually builds the tension while allowing opportunities for the audience to process the action.  The wild outbursts of emotion are genuinely grounded in the truth of the characters, and the heightened reactions are visceral and honest.  The balance of reality and game in the lives of the main characters is revealed in the ending.  The layers of this dark secret are essentially traced back to previous scenes where it was gradually peeled away.

BAM is presenting the following National Theatre Live productions:

Angels in America, Parts I & II - Starring Andrew Garfield, Denise Gough, Nathan Lane, James McArdle, and Russell Tovey

-          Angels in America Part I:  The Millennium Approaches

Thursday, July 20, 7:00 PM

-          Angels in America Part II:  Perestroika

Thursday, July 27, 7:00 PM

Photo courtesy of National Theatre Live

Tickets are modestly priced.  Based on this presentation of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf?, I highly recommend checking them out.

Domenick Danza