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Weathervane characters explore moral principles and unexamined taboos in Albee's 'The Goat'
By Kerry Clawson
Beacon Journal staff writer
POSTED: 08:36 p.m. EST, Nov 02, 2009
What if your moral code was so shattered, you didn't even know how to begin to pick up the broken pieces?
That's the heavy question playwright Edward Albee asks but does not choose to answer in The Goat, or Who is Sylvia? playing at Weathervane's black box Dietz Theater.
In this story, highly successful architect Martin, at the pinnacle of his career, commits a revolting act that's outside the realm of his wife's imagination. Martin doesn't see what he's done wrong, although his behavior is abhorrent, far beyond the rules of acceptable society.
In this controversial 2002 tragedy, the hero's flaw is, to put it delicately, that he ''cruises livestock.'' That may sound laughable, utterly revolting or both. But Albee uses the metaphor of the goat to make us question the parameters of our own moral tolerance.
Albee, 71, is best known for his savage humor in the 1962 marital throwdown Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? In this play, the battle between husband and wife continues, dominated by the steely fury of actress Dede Klein's Stevie, who methodically smashes vases and other ceramics all over the stage floor.
It's a stunning process to behold — both the couple's living room and their lives become a shambles as wronged wife Stevie confronts Martin.
Albee has said in interviews that he got the idea to write about bestiality after hearing such an anecdote from a real-life farmer. But he says the play's not so much about that as it is about unexamined taboos and moral principles.
Looking at Alan Scott Ferrall's set, we never forget we're watching a tragedy of ancient Greek proportions. Two large Ionic columns dominate the entrance to the couple's living room, which Stevie alternately leans on flirtily or clings to for dear life as the family crisis unfolds.
This play is for adult audiences only, both for its language and mature content. Albee covers ugly territory as he unapologetically reveals a human being's base nature and animalistic impulses.
Director Derek Davidson has a strong four-person cast that understands the tragic core of this story. When Stevie lets out a guttural scream, we fully feel the agony of Martin's betrayal.
We also sympathize with Martin, whose distracted demeanor Richard Worswick brings to life in a paradoxically obtuse manner. As lost as Martin has become, we recognize that his fall from grace could happen to anyone.
As best friend Ross, Vincent Richards doesn't seem sharp enough in his moral outrage when Martin first confesses. Keith Foster seems a bit subdued portraying son Billy's shock too, but the gangly young actor warms up to his role as a scared, confused teenager.
Albee intentionally blurs the line between realism and absurdism, and the results do have some humor. He scatters little bits of comic relief throughout the play as his characters engage in semantic games. Martin and Stevie enjoy harping on word meaning and usage, which is something every wordsmith can appreciate.
The playwright has plenty of clever plays on words, not the least of which is choosing the name ''Billy'' for Martin's son. In an amazing scene of revenge, the object of the adulterous Martin's affections gives new meaning to the word ''scapegoat.''
Hypocrite Martin also tries to make Ross a scapegoat for exposing the truth about him. That may be a problem for many audience members, for in this thought-provoking drama, Martin is never truly remorseful and is not redeemed.
Kerry Clawson may be reached at 330-996-3527 or kclawson@thebeaconjournal.com.
Details
Play: The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia?
When: Continuing through Nov. 14, 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 2:30 p.m. Sunday
Where: Weathervane Community Playhouse, 1301 Weathervane Lane, Akron
Onstage: Richard Worswick, Dede Klein, Vincent Richards, Keith Foster
Offstage: Edward Albee, playwright; Derek Davidson, director; J.T. Buck, stage manager; Alan Scott Ferrall, scenic designer; Jill Sutton Filo, costume designer; Scott Crim, lighting designer; Cheryl Stadler, sound designer; John Grafton, properties designer
Cost: $18
Information: 330-836-2626, http://www.weathervaneplayhouse.com.
What if your moral code was so shattered, you didn't even know how to begin to pick up the broken pieces?
That's the heavy question playwright Edward Albee asks but does not choose to answer in The Goat, or Who is Sylvia? playing at Weathervane's black box Dietz Theater.
In this story, highly successful architect Martin, at the pinnacle of his career, commits a revolting act that's outside the realm of his wife's imagination. Martin doesn't see what he's done wrong, although his behavior is abhorrent, far beyond the rules of acceptable society.
In this controversial 2002 tragedy, the hero's flaw is, to put it delicately, that he ''cruises livestock.'' That may sound laughable, utterly revolting or both. But Albee uses the metaphor of the goat to make us question the parameters of our own moral tolerance.
Albee, 71, is best known for his savage humor in the 1962 marital throwdown Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? In this play, the battle between husband and wife continues, dominated by the steely fury of actress Dede Klein's Stevie, who methodically smashes vases and other ceramics all over the stage floor.
It's a stunning process to behold — both the couple's living room and their lives become a shambles as wronged wife Stevie confronts Martin.
Albee has said in interviews that he got the idea to write about bestiality after hearing such an anecdote from a real-life farmer. But he says the play's not so much about that as it is about unexamined taboos and moral principles.
Looking at Alan Scott Ferrall's set, we never forget we're watching a tragedy of ancient Greek proportions. Two large Ionic columns dominate the entrance to the couple's living room, which Stevie alternately leans on flirtily or clings to for dear life as the family crisis unfolds.
This play is for adult audiences only, both for its language and mature content. Albee covers ugly territory as he unapologetically reveals a human being's base nature and animalistic impulses.
Director Derek Davidson has a strong four-person cast that understands the tragic core of this story. When Stevie lets out a guttural scream, we fully feel the agony of Martin's betrayal.
We also sympathize with Martin, whose distracted demeanor Richard Worswick brings to life in a paradoxically obtuse manner. As lost as Martin has become, we recognize that his fall from grace could happen to anyone.
As best friend Ross, Vincent Richards doesn't seem sharp enough in his moral outrage when Martin first confesses. Keith Foster seems a bit subdued portraying son Billy's shock too, but the gangly young actor warms up to his role as a scared, confused teenager.
Albee intentionally blurs the line between realism and absurdism, and the results do have some humor. He scatters little bits of comic relief throughout the play as his characters engage in semantic games. Martin and Stevie enjoy harping on word meaning and usage, which is something every wordsmith can appreciate.
The playwright has plenty of clever plays on words, not the least of which is choosing the name ''Billy'' for Martin's son. In an amazing scene of revenge, the object of the adulterous Martin's affections gives new meaning to the word ''scapegoat.''
Hypocrite Martin also tries to make Ross a scapegoat for exposing the truth about him. That may be a problem for many audience members, for in this thought-provoking drama, Martin is never truly remorseful and is not redeemed.
Kerry Clawson may be reached at 330-996-3527 or kclawson@thebeaconjournal.com.
Details
Play: The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia?
When: Continuing through Nov. 14, 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 2:30 p.m. Sunday
Where: Weathervane Community Playhouse, 1301 Weathervane Lane, Akron
Onstage: Richard Worswick, Dede Klein, Vincent Richards, Keith Foster
Offstage: Edward Albee, playwright; Derek Davidson, director; J.T. Buck, stage manager; Alan Scott Ferrall, scenic designer; Jill Sutton Filo, costume designer; Scott Crim, lighting designer; Cheryl Stadler, sound designer; John Grafton, properties designer
Cost: $18
Information: 330-836-2626, http://www.weathervaneplayhouse.com.
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