Is the Past Repeating Itself

Fear and Misery of the Third Reich – Haven Theatre

 

Bertolt Brecht wrote this play between 1935-38 as a reaction to the spread of Nazism. Originally a montage of 24 individual scenes, Brecht’s theatrical piece collectively adds up to his indictment that the movement wasn’t something that occurred naturally. It was a political movement that could’ve been stopped. Is the past repeating itself?

In Haven Theatre’s production, translated by Eric Bentley, Artistic Director Josh Sobel has reduced his production to 18 vignettes. Bringing the stories to life is Sobel’s ten talented ensemble cast members, each of whom portray a variety of different characters. Brecht’s seldom-produced piece is also the product of a large company of unseen artists, as well. Clair Churzan’s lighting design is appropriately dark and moody; Sarah D. Espinoza has orchestrated a sound track that’s as dramatic as it is startling; and Izumi Inaba’s drab-colored costumes evoke the darkly dismal and dangerous tone of a people whose lives are being unnerved.

Yu Shibagaki’s unique scenic design, however, offers some problems for the audience. On paper, it sounds exciting. But she’s ripped out the customary auditorium seating and replaced it with hard, wooden benches, located around the outskirts of the room. The seating is uncomfortably cramped and many of the rows offer no back support. Several rows of seats are even buried inside two trenches that lie within the set. Some of the scenes are set midway along the wall, which prevents many theatergoers from seeing what’s going on. In this arena staging, Josh Sobel has sometimes forgotten his audience, in favor of art, often staging his ensemble to block the actors who are the main focus. The show, despite it being advertised as two hours and 45 minutes, actually runs well over three hours. For most audiences, this production turns into a very painful, disagreeable ordeal.

Some of the best of the many gut-wrenching scenes include “The Informer,” during which a a husband and wife agonize over the fear that their young son, a member of the Hitler Youth, will misconstrue information about his parents and divulge it to the authorities. Alexis Randolph and Niko Kourtis play the wife and husband, with Joe Bianco as the chilling little son. In a scene called “The Jewish Wife,” Alsy Dickerson talks by telephone to several friends and family members, making up gossipy stories to prepare them for her upcoming time in Amsterdam. In reality, she’s a Jewish woman who plans to flee her German home, in order to protect her successful, gentile husband, played by Joe Bianco.“In Search of Justice” presents a Judge (beautifully portrayed by Amanda De La Guardia) wrestling with his conscience, as he prepares to try a case in which a Jewish jeweler was unjustly attacked. He listens to a biased Prosecutor ( Siddartha Rajan), an unreliable inspector (Simon Hedger), an bigoted, older judge (Niko Kourtis), his Attendant (Alys Dickerson) and his Maid (Alexis Randolph). As the Judge leaves for the courtroom we know the outcome of this case.

It’s very clear that Josh Sobel’s motivation to present this chilling collection of scenes is that history frighteningly seems to be repeating itself in America. However, many of the stories go on far too long; a few more scenes could easily be cut, without losing the horror of how the Third Reich touched its people. Those familiar with Bertolt Brecht’s plays know to expect a lengthy evening, but today’s audiences may feel this production becomes interminable. Sobel’s staging often makes it difficult to see each actor. It’s also sometimes hard to understand what’s being said. While the ladies’ diction is quite good, it’s sloppy in some of the men. Sobel also laced his production with far too many long, meaningless pauses, during which very little happens. Coupled with some very uncomfortable seating, this long production’s strength lies primarily with its talented cast.

Somewhat Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

 

Presented February 8-March 11 by Haven Theatre at the Den’s Bookspan Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago.

Tickets are available at the box office, by calling 773-697-3830 or by going to www.haventheatrechicago.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.