Pierre Corneille's The Liar "slapdapted" by David Ives
Thanks to Melinda Peterson, I learned that Antaeus was a
Titan, not a God, who always kept one foot on the ground. As long as one foot was on the ground,
he was immortal. He lost immortality
if he allowed himself to go airborne. Antaeus Theatre Company has both feet planted firmly on the ground and if their current productions of The Liar are any
indication, they must continue to flourish.
I had a musician friend whose vanity license plate, “A440,” referred
to perfect pitch. Approaching perfection is a goal. To achieve it is rare, but
one thing that I’ve seen over the years with Antaeus Theatre Company is that their
choices of material and dedication to the heart of theatre continue to strive
for perfection. Their current
offering, The Liar, written by David Ives is adapted from Pierre Corneille’s 1644 adaptation of Spanish-American playwright, Juan Ruíz de
Alarcón’s La Verdad Sospechosa which was published in 1634. Ives’ “translaptation”: a rhyming
adaptation in iambic pentameter, is a gem. He has even been so bold as to hippity hop almost four hundred
years with contemporary references in clever dialogue which director Casey
Stangl has instilled in her actors to romp with. Yes. It’s a
romp.
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| Nicholas D'Agosto as Dorante, Bo Foxworth as Alcippe Photo by Geoffrey Wade |
The beauty of this first performance (a second cast follows
with Antaeus’s tradition of doing a complete double casting) is that the
language, the attitude and the style all meld to perfect pitch and
rhythms. It’s not easy to keep a
beat, but the beat goes on starting with the familiar preshow admonition to turn
off electronic devices and such when the house lights go down and a spot comes up
inhabited by Cliton (Brilliant Rob Nagle) who cannot tell a lie. He is not a simpleton, but a pretty basic
guy who starts the show with a little exposition that leads us down the garden
path to lies and more lies and mistaken identities and ... what else? A happy
ending.
The Liar, himself, Dorante (gaining traction with every step, Nicholas D’Agosto), arrives in the Tuilleries ready for action. He soon enlists Cliton to be his
wingman as in come hotsy totsy Clarice (dark and slightly S and M Jules Willcox) and
not so hotsy in her hornrims, Lucrece (really very attractive Joanna
Straap). Playing twins, warm and
cuddly Isabelle and not so cuddly Sabine (Gigi Bermingham), all add to the mixup
as Dorante thinks he’s fallen for Clarice, but remembers Lucrece’s name!
It gets better.
Alcippe (rabid Bo Foxworth) and his pal, Philiste (staid Jonathon Lamer)
keep the ball in the air as we finally meet Dorante’s daddy, Geronte (flip
shades Peter Van Norden), whose goal is to marry off his son. Oh frabjous day!
Rhymes and pacing never flag, which is all thanks to Stangl’s
fluid and dramatic direction. Lines fly fast and furious with never a
syllable lost. Minimal set by
Keith Mitchell functions perfectly. Costumes: black on black on black (with a
little lace: black) by Angela Balogh Calin are just right. This is professional theatre in a
storefront that matches or outweighs most anything I’ve ever seen. These are theatre folks dedicated to
the stage. Of course, many of the
Anteaus members work regularly in features or on TV, but the camaraderie of the
company is totally dedicated to the ensemble, which, of course is pitch perfect
when everyone is so enjoying the process of creating the gift of a great
performance. A440!
Pierre Corneilles’s THE LIAR
slapdapted by David Ives
slapdapted by David Ives
Antaeus Theatre Company
5112 Lankershim Boulevard
NoHo, CA 91601 (1 ½ blocks south of Magnolia)
Two casts: The Cherries and The Tangerines
Opens October 10, 2013
Opens October 10, 2013
Continues Thursdays through Sundays
Closes December 1, 2013
Call theater or check the Antaeus website for specific casts, dates and
times
818 506 1983
$34.00 Top
Michael Sheehan
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