In
playwright Scott Carter’s intriguing new play, these three famous men of
literature and politics meet after death to argue over their individual
fascination with the Gospel. In life, each one edited and created his own
version of the New Testament and we are witness to a delicious clash of personalities
and game of words. Here is a haughty Thomas Jefferson, an egotistical Charles Dickens
and a pugnacious Count Leo Tolstoy, locked in a room where they can debate for
all eternity. Then, as they are confronted with the hypocritical secrets in
their personal lives, we are faced with the question – does the good they
brought to mankind excuse their bad behavior? Well, according to the author,
you’ll have to decide that for yourself.
Under
Matt August’ stylized direction, Larry Cedar, as Jefferson, gives emotional depth
to a man ruled by his keen intellect; David Melville, as Dickens, is humorously
bombastic and eccentric; while Armin Shimerman portrays a grim Tolstoy with a hair
trigger temper – no fault to the actor but hardly fair to the man whose pacifism
influenced Gandhi!
The
stark set by Takeshi Kata is given dynamic life by Luke Moyer’s lighting,
Cricket S. Myers sound and Jeffrey Elias Teeter’s projections. The fine costume
design is by Ann Closs-Farley. Produced by Kevin Bailey of Noho Arts Center
Ensemble, Independent Shakespeare Co. & Efficiency Studios.
At
NoHo Arts Center, 11136 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood, through February 23. For
tickets: 818-508-7101 ext.6 or www.nohoace.com.
Reviewed in the February issue of NOT BORN YESTERDAY.
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