WSU’s Bonstelle Theatre has never shied away from challenging, demanding work, so we were delighted, rather than surprised, to see that their season opener would be a Bertolt Brecht play. As the tough economy forces more theatres to serve up a strict diet of proven crowd pleasers, we applaud those who still carry the torch for important work and essential playwrights.
In a recent preview on this site, we commented on the nature of this play – The Caucasian Chalk Circle – and how it is a morality play and socio-political commentary in the best Brecht style.
Now that we’ve seen this production of The Caucasian Chalk Circle, we can recommend it. This is an ensemble production in which the large cast (35 members) serves as chorus – in the Greek sense as well as the modern sense – by telling the story via song. Except for the principal players, everyone in the cast plays multiple parts, which adds to the audience’s fun as the peasants become soldiers become live musicians become children become old men … you get the idea.
Sienna Hassett, as Grusha, brings a frankness and simplicity to her role as the peasant heroine – resisting the temptation to play to audience sympathies. (Brecht eschewed sentimentality.) Patrick Loos, as Azdak, is the most nuanced character in the show and is brilliant as the cunning scoundrel whose native intellect is more than a match for his social superiors.
A key figure in telling of the story is ‘The Singer’ – brought to life through Cal M. Schwartz – who brings a striking voice and broad vocal range to the somewhat daunting Mark Nichols score. He is supported by ‘peasant’ musicians who play charming folk music – and under the direction of George Abud actual ly add sound design to heighten the texture of the storytelling.
Another surprise is a lovely ballet that appears in the middle of the play and serves as a visual ‘thought bubble’ – illustrating the emotional dimension of a ballad sung by a woman to her lover going off to war.
This production is satisfying on many levels. It’s a no-brainer for Bertolt Brecht fans, and a safe bet for anyone who is curious about Brecht but intimidated by his reputation for dreary endings.
Congratulations to the entire Bonstelle company.
The cast includes
Sienna Hassett(Grosse Pointe Park, MI) as Grusha, Patrick Loos (Highland, MI) as Azdak, the Judge, Colin Mallory (East Lansing, MI) as Governor Georgi Abashvili, Kerianne Fergurson (Detroit, MI) as Natella, Dave Cowan (Detroit, MI) as Simon, Cal M. Schwartz (Dearborn, MI) as The Singer, Andrick Siegmund (Ferndale, MI ) as Lavrenti, Alexander Trice (Oxfordshire, UK), as Yussup, Derrell Jones (Detroit, MI), as Arsen Kazbecki, Celeste Shropshire (Detroit, MI)as The Sister-in-law, Jacquie Michnuk (Dearborn, MI) as The Expert, Kelli Sarakun (Grosse Pointe Park, MI) as The Mother-in-law, and Steve Carson (Grosse Pointe, MI) as The First Ironshirt, Alyssa Lucas (Garden City, MI), Annabelle Young (Dearborn, MI), Anthony Scamihorn (Marshall, MI), Britta Peele (Harrison Twp.), Caitlin Morrison (Romeo, MI), Jackson McLaskey (Mount Clemens, MI), Joanne Nelson (Detroit, MI), Kara Frizzell (Garden City, MI), Kelsey Lusch (Clinton Twp., MI), Billy Dean (Wyandotte, MI), Taurean Hogan (Detroit, MI), Mackenzie Conn (Walled Lake, MI), Matthew Kurtz (Detroit, MI), Megan Fuller (Warren, MI), Nancy Florkowski (Redford, MI), Sarah Kline (Royal Oak, MI), Sharayah Johnson (Birch Run, MI), William Turbett (Dearborn, MI), and Yasmeen Mikhail (Wyandotte, MI), George Abud (Grosse Pointe, MI), and Robbie Dwight (Detroit, MI).
The creative team includes
Jesse Merz (Director), Mark Nichols (Composer), Becky Garcia(Production Stage Manager), Caitlin Morrison (Choreographer), George Abud (Musical Director), Fred Florkowski (Scenic Designer and Technical Director), Mary Copenhagen (Costume Designer), Donald Fox (Lighting Designer), Michael Thomas (Sound Designer), Anthony Karpinski (Properties Master) and Nikki Allen (Production Publicity Manager).
The Caucasian Chalk Circle runs October 15 to October 24, 2010. Tickets are available through the Box Office, open Tuesday – Saturday from 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., at the Hilberry Theatre. Tickets may be purchased at the door at the Bonstelle Theatre (3434 Woodward Ave.) one hour prior to performances. Regular tickets are available for $15, and $12 discounted tickets are available to seniors ages 62+ and Wayne State University faculty, staff, and Alumni Association members. Group discounts are also available. For more information, please visit the theatre’s website.
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