****1/2New York Theater Workshop
Photo: Joan Marcus
BALLS OUT! Simply put, that is director Ivo Van Hove's M.O. as he reimagines Molière's The Misanthrope for the stage. Currently in previews at NYTW, Ivo does not offer us the traditional but instead heads straight to the emotional gut of this 1666 masterpiece and literally shines a fluorescent light on all the rage and jealousy exploding in this play. Check out the production photos. Does that look like a Molière to you?? Hell no, but I've never understood The Misanthrope more clearly than I did here. Bill Camp, pictured, is already giving an astounding performance as the people hating douchebag who can't keep his mouth shut and the rest of the top notch cast fits right into this ultra modern ketchup-splattered world. I am now upset with mystupidself for missing Ivo's reimaginings of A Streetcar Named Desire and Hedda Gabler. I will not be so foolish as to miss whatever play he fucks with next.
Also blogged by: [Aaron]
Right on. That's exactly how I felt: stupid for not having seen his other works. Now, the bet is on: does he do a Chekhov or a Shakespeare next? (I'd say Beckett, but NTYW is already doing some of those this year.)
ReplyDeleteas Ivo is coming from left field I would not know where to begin in predictions of what play he chomps into next.
ReplyDeleteI will however offer up a wish list:
The Crucible
The Skin Of Our Teeth
Cyrano de Bergerac (for the internet chat age...yeah??)