A LITTLE BIT OF SOUTHERN CHARM SERVED UP WITH A SIDE OF INSANITY AND CANNIBALISM
Theatre 9/12’s latest production is Tennessee Williams’ Southern drama, “Suddenly Last Summer.” Originally, the one-act play was a part of a double bill with another of Williams’ plays, “Something Unspoken,” when it opened on Broadway in 1958.
Set in New Orleans, the play tells the story of a Southern grand dame named “Mrs. Venable,” (played by Lisa Carswell) who seeks to squelch the damning and supposed insane allegations made by her niece, “Catharine Holly” (played by Sarah Milici), concerning the scandalous circumstances of the death of Venable’s son, “Sebastian.”
In order to control her niece, Venable solicits the expertise of Doctor Cukrowicz (aka “Dr. Sugar,” played by Joey Fechtel), who specializes in performing lobotomies on the mentally ill.
After the doctor gives Catharine a “truth serum,” we learn, indirectly of course, that Sebastian was both a homosexual and a pedophile, and that he died gruesomely at the hands of the young boys whose sexual favors he sought. He was literally torn apart by them and cannibalized.
(Gotta give it to us Southerners — which I am! As the saying goes: “We don’t hide crazy! We parade it on the front porch and give it a cocktail!” — And then we write a play about it, put it on Broadway, and turn it into a movie starring Elizabeth Taylor and Katharine Hepburn!)
Although structurally speaking, “Suddenly Last Summer” is not one of Williams’ strongest plays, as it consists primarily of two long monologues; it nevertheless has all of the delightful (and highly autobiographical) elements that we have come to expect from the playwright’s work: beautiful language with powerful imagery and symbolism that drips with poetry, dynamic and emotionally rich characters who would give even the best psychoanalyst a challenge to understand, and of course, a glimpse into both the charm and the ugly underbelly of Southern culture.
But enough about the script, let’s talk about 9/12’s production! It is directed by Charles Waxberg, and features a cast of both union and non-union actors who, according to the playbill, “long to develop their talents and skills through workshops and performance.”
So obviously, the company’s primary focus is on the acting rather than trying to wow audiences with spectacular scene, sound, lighting, and costume designs. And this is obvious in their production of “Suddenly Last Summer.”
The set is more functional than elaborate. The music, which consists primarily of old jazz pieces from 1930s New Orleans is appropriate, but minimal. The same goes for the costumes, which are not that memorable. There were a few mood lighting effects during the more intense moments of the play, but overall, the lighting was also simple and functional like the other technical elements.
So let’s get to the heart of the show: the actors. Lisa Carswell does an excellent job in her role as the controlling and aging, Mrs. Venable. She captures the character’s uncanny ability to live in denial about her son’s true identity and to cling on to an illusion of him as a sensitive and fragile poet.
Sarah Milici, as well, delivers a spectacular performance in her role as the emotionally distraught “Catharine.” She balances the vulnerability and strong passion of “Katharine” with finesse and grace.
Joey Fechtel comes across as a bit stiff in his portrayal of Dr. Cukrowicz. Perhaps it is due to the nature of Williams’ dramaturgy, but we never really connect with him as an audience member, and find it hard to believe in the sexual attraction that is suggested between him and Catharine.
As for the other characters, it is unfortunate that we do not get to know more about Mrs. Holly (played by Kate Szyperski) and her son George (played by Eric Olson). Most of their time on stage is spent listening to the two main characters’ monologues. It is too bad that Williams’ did not give more attention to these two characters as it would have been interesting to see what they ultimately felt about the situation and about the threat that Mrs. Venable posed to Katharine.
Rounding out the cast is Ellen Dessler who plays the nun, “Sister Felicity,” and Charissa Adams, who plays the servant, “Miss Foxhill.” We really do not get to see much from them, as their roles are quite limited.
Overall, “Suddenly Last Summer” is a good, yet safe production. It would be nice to see Theatre 9/12 branch out from it’s traditionalism and become a bit more experimental in terms of its staging techniques, but of course, I say that about a lot of theatres here in Seattle. Nevertheless, what they do, they do quite well! I was entertained.
One last suggestion, Williams wrote a one-act play, keep it that way. The intermission really interrupted the emotional flow of the show.
“Suddenly Last Summer” plays through July 29 at the Trinity Parish Church, 609 8th Avenue. Website: theatre912.com
