Review: SEA at Scena Theatre

By: Nov. 09, 2019

Review: SEA at Scena Theatre I have to hand it to Scena Theatre- they consistently elevate interesting, international work. Director Robert McNamara brings Jon Fosse's SEA to DC for its US debut performance at the intimate DC Arts Center, and the performance will surely leave you thinking. Norwegian playwright Fosse, one of Europe's most performed dramatists, has been translated into over 40 languages and, in 2010, won the biggest prize in global theatre- the Ibsen award. There were moments on opening night when all the stars aligned: persuasive acting, poignant dialogue, precise movements, and inspired casting. There were also moments when pacing, language, and the play's inherent incomprehensibility made engaging with Fosse's work difficult.

Scena advertises the following description of Jon Fosse's SEA:

"Join the voyage of a shipmaster who guides a bizarre band of travelers through a modern-day Hades. Six unassuming travelers face riveting challenges on the quest for ultimate salvation. Sea is an episodic tale of lost love in the otherworld that unfolds as past relationships meet present realities."

There is a shipmaster, six unassuming travelers, and threads of lost love in limbo (though the playbill would have us believe the setting is a desert island) but fidelity to the description ends there. Fosse's SEA is much quieter, and less coherent, than Scena's marketing implies. The definition of episodic as "consisting of a series of loosely connected parts or events" even feels a bit of a stretch. Fosse's work just doesn't seem to lend itself to tidy headlines.

On the whole, the actors did a commendable job working with and through Fosse's work. SEA, translated into English by May-Brit Akerholt, is linguistically and stylistically complex. Scena's casting is strong, with standout performances by Greg Ongao as The Guitar Player and Sara Barker as The Woman. Ongao breathed life into each discrete interaction and precise movement- I hope to see him at Scena, and elsewhere, again. Barker, a DC favorite, asserts once again that she is a master of her craft. The ensemble is rounded out by Buck O'Leary (Shipmaster), Eamon Patrick Walsh (The Man), Kim Curtis (The Older Man), and Ellie Nicoll (The Older Woman). Kudos to the ensemble for powerfully navigating the heavy silences demanded by the script, especially in the intimate blackbox.

I'm just not sure I understood Jon Fosse's play. Did it give me a lot to talk about? Sure. My partner and I lobbed ideas about sense of self, capitalism, and the role of the artist all the way home. I also spent the rest of the night down a Jon Fosse internet rabbit hole trying to see if perhaps a well-versed critic could help me unpack my experience. Is this a failing on my part, that I can't just live in the uncertainty demanded by such avant garde theatre? Maybe. I do wonder whether some framing by dramaturge Gabriele Jakobi could have been helpful for the less seasoned, or just plain interested, theatre-goer.

Though Fosse is internationally renowned, his work hasn't yet found roots in the US. Despite McNamara's efforts, I'm not sure SEA will turn the tides.

SEA runs through November 24th at the DC Arts Center. Find tickets here.

Run time: Approximately 60 minutes, no intermission.

(L to R): Greg Ongao, Sara Barker, Eamon Patrick Walsh and Buck O'Leary in SEA

Photo Credit: Jae Yi Photography

BroadwayWorld Awards Voting

RELATED STORIES - Washington, DC

1
Fairfax Symphony Orchestra and Fairfax Ballet to Present Tchaikovskys THE NUTCRACKER at Ge Photo
Fairfax Symphony Orchestra and Fairfax Ballet to Present Tchaikovsky's THE NUTCRACKER at George Mason University Center for the Arts

Don't miss the beloved holiday tradition of Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker presented by the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra and Fairfax Ballet at George Mason University Center for the Arts.

2
Childrens Theatre Company To Hold Virtual And In-Person Auditions For 2024-2025 Performing Photo
Children's Theatre Company To Hold Virtual And In-Person Auditions For 2024-2025 Performing Apprenticeships

Children’s Theatre Company (CTC) is holding auditions for their 2024-2025 Performing Apprenticeships. Non-Equity Actors aged 19 and above can audition for this opportunity.

3
Young Performers Career Advancement Program 2024 Artists To Perform At Carnegie Hall On Ja Photo
Young Performers Career Advancement Program 2024 Artists To Perform At Carnegie Hall On January 15

The Association of Performing Arts Professionals (APAP) announced today that five emerging classical music solo artists and a quartet of musicians from around the world have been selected to perform at Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall as part of APAP's Young Performers Career Advancement Program (YPCA). 

4
National Philharmonic to Present HANDELS MESSIAH in December Photo
National Philharmonic to Present HANDEL'S MESSIAH in December

National Philharmonic (NatPhil) will present its annual Messiah performances, conducted by Music Director Piotr Gajewski for the first time at Strathmore and Capital One Hall.

From This Author - Evann Normandin

Evann is currently an Editor in educational publishing with a background in literature and dramaturgy, and she is excited to join the DC BroadwayWorld team! Evann graduated with a double major in... Evann Normandin">(read more about this author)

Videos


The Peking Acrobats in Washington, DC The Peking Acrobats
Center for the Arts at George Mason University (3/10-3/10)
The Winter's Tale in Washington, DC The Winter's Tale
Catholic University - Hartke Theatre (2/22-2/25)
StepAfrika! Magical Musical Holiday Step Show in Washington, DC StepAfrika! Magical Musical Holiday Step Show
Fichandler Stage at Arena Stage (12/08-12/17)
Zavala-Zavala in Washington, DC Zavala-Zavala
GALA Hispanic Theatre (6/21-6/23)
Darren Criss: A Very Darren Crissmass in Washington, DC Darren Criss: A Very Darren Crissmass
The Barns At Wolf Trap (12/02-12/03)
Fiddler on the Roof in Washington, DC Fiddler on the Roof
Olney Theatre Center (11/08-12/31)
Virginia Opera: Sanctuary Road in Washington, DC Virginia Opera: Sanctuary Road
Center for the Arts at George Mason University (2/03-2/03)
Kennedy Center Chamber Players: Winter Concert in Washington, DC Kennedy Center Chamber Players: Winter Concert
Terrace Theater at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (1/14-1/14)
Atlas Presents: Navidad Flamenca (Flamenco Holidays) in Washington, DC Atlas Presents: Navidad Flamenca (Flamenco Holidays)
Atlas Performing Arts Center (12/09-12/09)
Funny Girl in Washington, DC Funny Girl
Kennedy Center [Opera House] (6/25-7/14)
VIEW ALL SHOWS  ADD A SHOW  

Recommended For You