*Disclaimer: the Albright is what I consider my home theatre, and I personally know several people in the cast. Sunday afternoon, I went to see Mauritius at the Albright Theatre in Batavia, IL. And my first question is: where was everybody? Seriously, there were like ten people in the audience! Get your butts out to sit in these seats, people! Actually, that's my only question. Okay, on with the show. Review. This was a decently long show, and there were only five people in the cast. That sort of thing always impresses me right off the bat. Maybe I'm easily impressed, I don't know. The play, written by Teresa Rebeck, is about two sisters whose mother has recently passed. Among her things is a book of stamps, which may or may not be valuable. Both sisters have different ideas for what should be done with them. They tussle both verbally and physically, go behind each other's backs, and finally come to a resolution, but not before the situation has snowballed juuuuuust a little. I'd like to single out a great performance- but I can't. Everyone was wonderful, really and truly! Shelly Rolf and Tiffany Jasinski as the sisters deliver, and make believable siblings. Richard Holloman as a less-than-trustworthy ally to one of the sisters, is energetic and sly(ish). Jeff Pripuisch as a sort of mobster philatelist (yes, really) brings intensity. And Jon Witt as a stamp expert is at turns hesitant and shrewd (and his line delivery I thought a particular treat). Every character is hiding something at some point or another, and every actor did a great job of showing this when necessary. Only thing I had an issue with- and this is just me- was the length of some of the speeches. It always impresses me no end when someone can memorize so much, and then deliver a long speech expertly, and this was by no means lacking. But after someone talks for so long- I zone out. Can't help it. Then I blink and come back and realize I did it, and then I feel horribly guilty. Perhaps I should see the play again to see what I missed! Anyway, the direction was well done; the sets were sparse but effective. In fact, I would see this again if I had the money and time, but I honestly don't. So other people, yes, all you out there: go. It's worth it. Caveat: there's a bit of language. Just a bit. ...Ok, a lot. Wish I'd known that before bringing my 86 year old Grandma, but I could have checked ahead of time, so again, my bad. Besides, Grandma loved it anyway. Even with that nap she took during the first act.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Rebecca FrohlingWriter, dancer, actress, mother, me. Archives
February 2019
Categories |