Strawdog explores intersection of religion, magic, insanity – and actors
Strawdog Theatre presents |
The Master and Margarita |
Adapted by Edward Kemp Based on novel by Mikhail Bulgakov Directed by Louis Contey at Strawdog Theatre, 3829 N. Broadway (map) through April 2 | tickets: $20 | more info |
Reviewed by Katy Walsh
As artistic differences threaten the theatrical production of Pontius Pilate, Satan arrives in town to set the record straight. Strawdog Theatre presents The Master and Margarita. In anti-religion Moscow, a writer works feverishly to create a masterpiece play. His girlfriend Margarita believes he is ‘The Master’ and is willing to do anything to support his writing. The government’s theatrical department interferes with his show. They want to ensure Pontius Pilate discredits Jesus’ existence. Satan and his cronies visit for a little civilization observation. They also want to get their magic show on the stage. Arrested, committed, beheaded, the poor souls of Russia are in chaos. When Satan sheds insight into mortals’ psyches, the balance of life has a peaceful neutralization. The Master and Margarita blurs the division between magic and religion, imagination and psychoses, theatrical and actual, life and death.
Is it a play about a play about the historical decision maker Pontius Pilate? Or is it the full blown hallucination from an asylum inmate? Is it pro-religion or just anti- being anti? The Master and Margarita is for certain an epic of biblical portions. On a primarily stark set, crowd scenes are choreographed using cast as colorful and changing scenery. The large ensemble is white-faced (make-up designer Aly Renee Amidei) and sometimes black-masked. (Special nod to Amidei for the Centurion’s makeup: I was transfixed.) The mass unified look effectively emphasizes the alternating mood from theatrical to threatening to comical to spooky. Costume designer Joanna Melville goes hellish, dressing up an underworld ball in goth prom attire. The vibrant swirl of activity is non-stop. Under the direction of Louis Contey, the multiple themes and scene transitions flow smoothly and briskly into the next.
A plethora of Russian names, myriad of actors playing numerous roles, and the whitening effect add to a quandary of identification. Among the easily recognized, the damned bunch are hilarious misfits. Tom Hickey (Woland aka Satan) leads with smug wisdom and a surprising twisted kindness. Anderson Lawfer (Behemoth) is hysterical as a talking cat. Without even that many lines, Lawfer drawls the funny out with a bow tie without pants comment. Double-vision, Danny Taylor (Fagott) has a comedic and mysterious allure. Anita Deely (Azazello) is the non-nonsense assistant from hell. As the enduring lovers, Dennis Grimes (The Master) is a gentle martyr-type and Justine Turner (Margarita) is his strong lovely rescuer. The entire ensemble are convincing as actors playing theatre types, actors playing crazies or actors playing people going to hell… or maybe there isn’t a distinction.
The first act is a bubbling manifesto of intriguing confusion. The intermission is a pause from the frenzy to admit uncertainty to the point of the show. At some point in act two, there is an ‘A-ha moment.‘ All the dots connect for art open to interpretation. To sum it up, the cat said it best in one of the final scenes, ‘now, I get this play!’ What the cat said!
Rating: ★★★ |
The Master and Margarita continues through April 2nd, with performances Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 4pm. There is no performanceSunday, April 3. Tickets are $20 with group, senior and student discounts available. Tickets may be ordered by calling 773.528.9696 or by visiting www.strawdog.org.
Running Time: Two hours and thirty minutes with a ten minute intermission
Artists
Cast
Christy Arington Alejandro Cordoba Anita Deely * Kyle Gibson Sarah Goeden Dan Granata |
Dennis Grimes Tom Hickey * Anderson Lawfer * Ian Maxwell Loretta Rezos Jude Roche |
John Stovkis Danny Taylor Ron Thomas Justine C. Turner John Wilson
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Production
Director Set Design Costume Design Props Design |
Sound Design Choreography Technical Direction Dramaturge |
Stage Manager Master Electrician Production Manager Chris Oken |
Filed under: 2011 Reviews, Katy Walsh, Strawdog Theatre | Tagged: Alejandro Cordora, Anderson Lawfer, Anita Deely, Chris Oken, Christy Arington, Cortney Hurley, D.J. Reed, Dan Granata, Danny Taylor, Dennis Grimes, Edward Kemp, Eileen Mallary, Ellen Willett, Ian Maxwell, Joanna Melville, Joe Schermoly, John Stokvis, John Wilson, Jon Nook, Justine C. Turner, Katy Walsh, Kyle Gibson, Loretta Roche, Lou Contey, Louis Contey, Maren Robinson, Mikhail Bulgakov, Mikhail Fiksel, Ron Thomas, Sarah Goeden, Strawdog Theatre, The Master and Margarita, Tom Hickey |
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