 |
| Armin Shimerman, David Melville and Larry Cedar
PHOTO CREDIT: Michael Lamont
|
The Gospel According
to Thomas Jefferson, Charles Dickens and Count Leo Tolstoy: DISCORD
by Scott Carter
Playwright Scott Carter’s heady imagining of a meeting of
great minds, huge egos and inevitable questions unfolds in a limbo reminiscent
of Jean-Paul Sartre’s “No Exit” and Tad Mosel’s “Impromptu.” A stark bare space. A modern door.
“Don’t Close The Door!” Catapulted through a modern door we meet a taller Thomas
Jefferson (Larry Cedar) to find three aluminum Navy chairs, a bare white walled
enclosure, a table with drawers that do not open. The Fourth Wall, a mirror in which Jefferson finds himself
attractive. He examines his new
surroundings.
Jefferson is followed by colorfully costumed Charles Dickens
(foppish David Melville) who ignores Jefferson’s shout, “Don’t close the
door!!” Brilliant dialogue
sprinkled substantially with familiar quotes or partial quotes pit the 18th
century Jefferson against the 19th century Dickens and then the two become
three with the arrival of Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy (bearded and barefoot Armin
Shimerman), who also allows the door to close. Three brilliant minds: Tolstoy
aware of Jefferson and Dickens, Dickens aware of Jefferson and Jefferson
without a clue to the other two.
Thus begins a heady inspection of morals, ethics, confessions and inquiries
brilliantly mounted on Takeshi Kata’s crisp white walls with projected graphics
by Jeffrey Elias Teeter that are becoming standard fare even for smaller
theatres today.
What may have become a simple/not so simple talking heads
piece, under Matt August’s able direction, we encounter three entirely
different characters in a pas des trois literally pacing, almost dancing around
the table that eventually relinquishes its drawers to reveal a quill, a dip pen
and a fountain pen; blank journals and a King James Bible. This leads to the three thinkers beginning
to dictate their own personal “gospels” examining ‘personal truths’ which may
eventually set them free.
Wealth and power permeate the text. Tolstoy eventually abandoned … or so he
says, all of his copyrights.
Jefferson discusses the difficulties of being responsible for so much of
his personal life and the lives of his slaves (including Sally Hemmings) and
the new United States of America. Dickens relates his difficult early
youth and eventual successes including the guilt of abandoning his wife. And, then, they pace.
Fine tech introduces hash marked ‘chapters’ with animated projections
which become a palpable part of the play.
Perfect lighting by Luke Moyer and authentically theatrical costumes by
Ann Closs-Farley are wonderful. To fully enjoy the dialogue, familiarity with
the three men is a must. To each
actor’s credit, and to director August’s imaginative stage pictures, we get a
feeling for each man’s times in style and approach. Read up. Go see it!
The Gospel According
to Thomas Jefferson, Charles Dickens and Count Leo Tolstoy: DISCORD
By Scott Carter
NoHo Arts Center
11136 Magnolia Blvd.
North Hollywood, CA 91601
Runs January 17 through February 23, 2014
Thursday, Friday, Saturday at 8PM
Sundays at 3PM
$35 Top
818 508 7101 Ex 6 
Further information: www.jdtproject.com 
No comments:
Post a Comment