| NewCity Chicago - Somewhat Recommended
"... As the saying goes, if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it. Despite the advice, several playwrights have taken a crack at reimagining Euripides’ classic tale of betrayal and murder. Eugene O’Neill famously sought to Americanize the Greek tragedy with his highly melodramatic masterpiece “Mourning Becomes Electra.” Here, Moser takes an entirely new route. Her adaptation is sometimes a stirring musical, and other times a sketch comedy. The rest of the time, she is fairly faithful to the classic tale. Unfortunately the result is somewhat inconsistent, as though the audience isn’t privy to a joke everyone on stage gets. Lengthy digressions from plot and story in unconventional asides often distract from the intensity. As a musical, the songs are guttural and full-bodied. The text is creatively conveyed through song, but it’s not enough to balance out the gimmicky absurdism that mostly comes across as awkward."
Read Full Review
Centerstage - Somewhat Recommended
"... There’s a moment early in Mary Arrchie’s production of Euripides’ “Electra” that holds a great deal of promise. After delivering a portentous slog of scene-setting exposition, actor Matthew Bausone takes a moment and then asks whether or not the audience understands any of what he just said. Bausone then proceeds to take a black sharpie and scrawl out the bloody family history that underlies the play’s themes of justice, vengeance and honor. Had this production, starring a cast of primarily ISU students and directed by Sonja Moser, been more purely dedicated to moments like this, a cheeky, yet down-to-earth brand of post modern interjection, it could be a great success. Likewise, had it been a simple, straightforward recounting of bloody matricide, I think this young, enthusiastic troupe could have performed the job quite admirably."
Read Full Review
Chicago Now - Somewhat Recommended
"...When the cast is in character, they are electrifying. Caitlin Boho (Clytemnestra) was outstanding as the statuesque mother. Her oration is delivered with commanding majesty. And then as Emily Nichelson (Electra) rants at her, Boho’s emotionless face has two tears run down it. WOW! Nichelson is her own little powerhouse of emotion. She spirals out of control at exhausting speed. And then she sings with divalicious ferocity. ELECTRA is a musical. And the finale is a melodious gift to the gods."
Read Full Review
|
