BWW Reviews: Kicking Off The O'Neill Festival With AH, WILDERNESS!

How lucky we are in the DC area. Rich with culture, the region has an especially vibrant theater scene. Arena Stage is a prominent part of that scene and this year they are treating us to something special – The Eugene O'Neill Festival. Arena is working with other area venues to present the festival for two months. They have kicked off the festival with O'Neill's comedy, Ah, Wilderness!

Ah, Wilderness! reflects back on a simpler time when home is where the heart is and poetry can cause a scandal. It is 1906 and the Miller family is in high spirits and all ready to celebrate the 4th of July. Only young Richard isn't in the mood. At 17-years-old, he is full of romantic ideas and righteous indignation. When it is discovered that Richard has been so bold as to have sent poetry to his true love, the 4th of July revelers aren't the only ones setting off fireworks.

Known more for heavy pieces like Long Day's Journey Into Night, O'Neill's Ah, Wilderness! takes a lighter turn. It has been said that O'Neill's childhood was not ideal but he was able to create the home he missed out on in this play. The picture he paints of a typical American family is charming and Arena's take on it is enjoyable despite some flaws.

Directed by Kyle Donnelly, the show seems to drag in spots and some of the actors overdo it. However, the play does exhibit some moments that are rather lovely.

DC theater vets Rick Foucheux (Nat Miller) and Nancy Robinette (Essie) are simply wonderful. At times, it is easy to be taken out of the moment by some lesser performances but Foucheux and Robinette pull the viewer back in with their authentic portrayals. They are joined by Kimberly Schraf as Essie's sister, Lily. Ms. Schraf's nuanced performance is beautifully played.

William Patrick Riley (Richard) holds his own with these skilled actors as he successfully portrays teenage angst and youthful naiveté. He works well with June Schreiner (Muriel), who is known to DC audiences as Ado Annie in Arena's highly regarded production of Oklahoma! Ms. Schreiner does not spend a great deal of time on stage but she makes the most of her brief appearance.

The set design by Kate Edmunds is unique while still capturing the feel of the early 1900s. The lighting by Russell Champa is effective and the costumes by Nan Cibula-Jenkins manages to capture the essence of each character.

All of the elements are there – a good script, some fine actors and a talented creative team. Sadly, the show is slightly out of step. Still, there are those lovely moments – the ones that stay with you - and despite the problems, those moments are what theater is all about.

Ah, Wilderness! runs through April 8th.

Arena Stage is located at 1101 Sixth Street, SW, Washington, DC 20024-2461

Theater and ticket information may be found at www.arenastage.org

Photo Credit: Scott Suchman

 

 

 

 

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