The Rehearsal
Jean Anouilh is a French playwright who descends with from the inspirational school of Moliere. His work combines a balance of farcical and serious qualities with a dash of cynicism to add an extra dimension of reality. The Rehearsal is an icy romantic, dramedy presented by A Noise Within and ANW Co-founder/Director Julia Rodriguez-Elliot captures both the wit with a crackling pace and the bitter heartbreak of life.
The play is set in France during the 1950’s and revolves around a ball where the characters are going to perform Marivaux’s The Double Inconstancy. Since much of the play pertains to preparations for the ball, the characters spend most of the show in 18th century costumes, blurring the lines between their world and Marivaux’s. The drama of the play stems from Count Tiger threatening the very balance of his court’ world when he turns from a life of pursing pleasure to the love of a young visitor. The whole court is thrown for a tail spin as their fragile world of excess and narcissism is blown apart.
Robertson Dean, an ANW Resident Artist, plays the Count with such a spoiled, child-like flair you love to hate him in the beginning and then learn to just plain love him by the end. The Countess is played by Susan Angelo, in her ANW debut, with such grace and poise, that even in the face of total destruction, she will stop at nothing to keep the status quo as it is and how she feels it should be all while keeping the appearance of dignity.
Other notable performances included ANW Co-founder Geoff Elliott as the drunkard Hero. Two of the very best moments of the show were his, with his only one on one confrontation/dialogue with the Count and then his later scene with Lucile – he gave such dimension and reality to a character. Also Lenne Klingaman as Lucile plays the virtuous and innocent creature that draws the Count’s whole heart and the ire of the court with such ease.
The set by Michael Smith is simple and perfect and the costumes by Robin Vane add the right dimension to an already well orchestrated and beautifully acted night of theatre. A Noise Within has struck the heart and the funny bone with this – be sure to see it before time runs out.
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Theater: A Noise Within
Website: http://www.anoisewithin.org/
Tickets: (818) 240-0910 x 1
Dates: Through May 24, 2009