Review - Balzaminov's Wedding

April 23, 9:30 AMIndianapolis Theater ExaminerTim Cabeen

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Courtesy of Butler Univ.

Butler Theatre's season comes to an end with the opening of the Balzaminov's Wedding at Lilly Hall.

Butler's 2008-09 theatre season focused on the comedies and tragedies of other cultures and concludes with their first by the Russian playwright Alexander Ostrovsky (1823-1886). Balzaminov's Wedding wasn't even translated into English until just recently, and with help from Alyona Yakovleva, Artistic Director of The Russian Ballet Company, director Elaina Artemiev was able to restore some of the depth and humor that was lost in the translation. 

Civil servant Balzaminov is a not-too-handsome, not-too-sharp, confidence-lacking bachelor living with his mother. He feels he is entitled to a rich wife and says that if he were making the rules rich men would only be able to marry poor women and rich women would only be able to marry poor men, but that since that doesn't happen, the rich stay rich and the poor stay poor. He fancies a pretentious wealthy daughter of a deceased businessman, who with her sister is planning to get money from their brothers by having a friend of Balzaminov's pretend to kidnap the sisters and hold them for ransom. In the meantime, an aggressive matchmaker is attempting to negotiate a marriage between Balzaminov and a very wealthy widow who is described as corpulent, and about whom Balzaminov states, "she really is very, very stout." 

Matthew Van Oss is truly the highlight of this production, He perfectly encapsulates the sheepish, scared, funny, and idealistic Balzaminov. His mannerisms, delivery, and physical dexterity are responsible for much of the humor in this 90-minute production. The unexpected choreography is another treat as several scenes contain short Russian dances and some interesting footwork by the cast.

This short, funny production was put together very well, with a clean, sparse set, nice period Russian costumes, and an enthusiastic cast of Butler students.

Balzaminov's Wedding runs through April 26, and for more information about the production, visit the Butler Theatre website here.