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Regional Reviews: San Francisco Eurydice Also see Richard's reviews of The Country House and The Phantom of the Opera
This 90-minute drama is very poetic and nothing is straightforward in the production. There are many magical elements, thanks to director Erika Chong Shuch, including a menacing Hades (Nils Frykdahl) and a Greek chorus of Stones (Jeannine Anderson, Peter Griggs, Beth Wilmurt). The opening is a spectacular gymnastic love scene between Orpheus and Eurydice (Megan Trout is a former gymnast). Later, the couple joyfully dance at their wedding (whimsically choreographed by Liz Tenuto) to the tune of "Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree." The playwright's take on the tale is really a contemplation on death and anguish, recollection and forgetting. It's humorous and caring, nightmarish and irrational, with the tones shifting suddenly and simply from one moment to the next. Sean Riley's set is two-levels of massive steel tanks, water pipes, tiers of buckets, and rope pulleys that dominate the intimate Ashby stage. There is even rain coming from the overhead pipes onto the stage. Christine Crook has designed outlandish, dazzling costumes for the Stones and Hades. James Carpenter gives an impeccable performance as the father. Even his movements are pitch perfect in this dream play. Megan Trout's performance as Eurydice is impressive. She beautifully plays the role as a naïve and innocent character. Kenny Toll balances adroitly between anguish and absurdity in the role of Orpheus. Nils Frykdahl comically rocks as the Lord of the Underworld. Jeannine Anderson, Peter Griggs, and Beth Wilmurt as the Stones are dressed like a Las Vegas chorus in a Cirque du Soleil show and are excellent in their respective roles. Eurydice plays through October 4, 2015, at the Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave, Berkeley. For tickets call 510-841-6500 or visit www.shotgunplayers.org.
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