'The Misanthrope' upstairs at the Athenaeum Theatre

Greasy Joan and Co. has taken on a huge undertaking by bringing Moliere's The Misanthrope to the stage at the Athenaeum Theatre. Billed as Moliere's 'comic masterpiece' the play is translated from its original script which in itself leaves the door open for the expression "gets lost in the translation."

Not only is The Misanthrope a period piece (produced in 1666), it is also a French period piece which is most likely (need I say it) as foreign in its concepts to most Americans as is the author. As a great big generalization on this writer's part, the French have a very different of sense humor that most Americans are not in tune with. The subtle jabs, and ironies, and the philosophies of the French are surely lost on many viewers of this production.

The same is likely to be said about some of the interpretations of the characters in The Misanthrope by the actors. The cultural differences can lead to a very different understanding about why and how a "character" or person would react in the 1600s to the situations portrayed, and a real understanding of this is crucial to build upon.

In an attempt to "modernize" the production, Libby Ford makes some bold choices to update the sets, the costumes, and the personalities of the characters themselves. This is actually fun to see. It creates a kind of yin/yang tug between reality and fantasy.

The dialog exchanged between characters is tough at times. The actors who succeed at delivering their lines most comfortably are: Kevin Cox as Alceste, Kate Cares as Celimene, Carol Enoch as Arsinoe, and Kristina Klemetti who stands out with her exceptional level of character development. I was impressed with the shear volume of dialog that the leads seemed to have mastered to memory- especially Kevin Cox.

At times, it seemed that the rhythm of the dialog being delivered came across a bit "Seussical" in nature, and everybody took an occasional tumble into a "Cat-in-the-Hat" moment.

A very difficult production to undertake on many levels. Perhaps with a bit more refinement, and a stronger connection to the moral dilemma that Alceste has to suffer in a more concise, compact time frame would showcase some of the stronger points that have been brought to this production. 

Greasy Joan and Co. is presenting The Misanthrope by Moliere at the Athenaeum Theatre from March 5-April 5th, 2008. For ticket information, please contact the box office at (773) 935-6860 or by email at info@athenaeumtheatre.com.

Photo by Michael Brosilow: (left to right) Dan Behrendt (Clitandre), Kate Cares (Celimene), Carlo Garcia (Acaste) and Carol Enoch (Arsinoe)

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