THE HOUSE OF THE SPIRITS
Cast, Director, and Playwright, Caridad Svitch
SU Drama's 'House of Spirits' creates theatrical magic (Review)
By Tony Curulla
What happens when the real and the supernatural coexist in the same stage production, and seem to combine their respective energies to create theatrical magic?
You can see a fine example of this combination in "The House of the Spirits", the second offering of the season by the Department of Drama at Syracuse University. This unusual play, adapted for the stage by Caridad Svich from the novel by Isabel Allende, is directed by drama faculty member Celia Madeoy.
Framed by a stunning single set with a variety of locations within it, the play tells the story of a single family with representatives from three generations often appearing simultaneously. Given the creative use of space, with locations separated by translucent scrims of materials, some of the play's intentional obscurity is tamed, rendering it less confusing than it may sound.
With a 20th century South American locale, not unlike the country of Chile, Svich's adaptation uses the family of Esteban Trueba (Daniel Ramirez) to tell the story of that family and of the political and social aspects of the unnamed country.
While protests and violence have been raging in the streets of the capital city, many have been taken prisoner by the harsh military dictatorship and beaten and tortured. Among them is Alba Trueba (Michelle Elizabeth Arotsky), granddaughter of the family patriarch, Esteban.
At various times throughout the play, we bear witness to the violent treatment, even rape, of Alba represented as filmy images taking place in a room behind one of the scrims. At the same time, we see, as flashback, the interaction of Esteban and his wife Clara (Sarah Herrman) many years before Alba's mother, Blanca (Aliana Kilmer-Setrakian) was born. The violent treatment of Alba in "present" time is juxtaposed with the violent nature of her grandfather, Esteban, many years before when he mistreated his wife, his daughter, and his sister, Ferula (Kristen Misthopoulos).
Although set in the context of political upheaval, violence, and revolution, at the play's core is how the same destruction is mirrored within a family, engendering several decades of personal destruction brought on by the forces of jealousy, revenge, and suspicion fueled by excessive ego.
Among the fine performances by this student ensemble, those of Ramirez and Misthopoulos are of particular note at opposite ends of the character spectrum. His character's violent, unforgiving nature is omnipresent, almost palpable, throughout, while her duel-character role of mistreated sister and awkward, comical, would-be suitor (Count of Satigny) are played with great effect.
Exacting movement instruction is evident in a well-choreographed dance sequence with five couples by choreographer Anthony Salatino. Rasean Davonte Johnson's evocative scenic design, replete with eerie window curtain movement and stunning wall projections, delineating growing intensity within the family as well as the outer society, is, alone, worth the price of admission.
Details:
What: "The House of the Spirits"
Where: Syracuse University Department of Drama, Syracuse Stage Complex, 820 E. St. Syracuse
When Seen: Opening Night, Saturday, November 11, 2017
Attendance: Full House in the Storch Theater
Length of production: 2 hours, 30 minutes, including a 15-minute intermission
Family Guide: High School +, contains violence, gunshots, images of rape, and adult language
Runs: Through November 18
Information and Tickets: 315-443-3275 and vpa.syr.edu/dramatickets
- Published: Nov. 12, 2017, 6:47 p.m.
By Tony Curulla
What happens when the real and the supernatural coexist in the same stage production, and seem to combine their respective energies to create theatrical magic?
You can see a fine example of this combination in "The House of the Spirits", the second offering of the season by the Department of Drama at Syracuse University. This unusual play, adapted for the stage by Caridad Svich from the novel by Isabel Allende, is directed by drama faculty member Celia Madeoy.
Framed by a stunning single set with a variety of locations within it, the play tells the story of a single family with representatives from three generations often appearing simultaneously. Given the creative use of space, with locations separated by translucent scrims of materials, some of the play's intentional obscurity is tamed, rendering it less confusing than it may sound.
With a 20th century South American locale, not unlike the country of Chile, Svich's adaptation uses the family of Esteban Trueba (Daniel Ramirez) to tell the story of that family and of the political and social aspects of the unnamed country.
While protests and violence have been raging in the streets of the capital city, many have been taken prisoner by the harsh military dictatorship and beaten and tortured. Among them is Alba Trueba (Michelle Elizabeth Arotsky), granddaughter of the family patriarch, Esteban.
At various times throughout the play, we bear witness to the violent treatment, even rape, of Alba represented as filmy images taking place in a room behind one of the scrims. At the same time, we see, as flashback, the interaction of Esteban and his wife Clara (Sarah Herrman) many years before Alba's mother, Blanca (Aliana Kilmer-Setrakian) was born. The violent treatment of Alba in "present" time is juxtaposed with the violent nature of her grandfather, Esteban, many years before when he mistreated his wife, his daughter, and his sister, Ferula (Kristen Misthopoulos).
Although set in the context of political upheaval, violence, and revolution, at the play's core is how the same destruction is mirrored within a family, engendering several decades of personal destruction brought on by the forces of jealousy, revenge, and suspicion fueled by excessive ego.
Among the fine performances by this student ensemble, those of Ramirez and Misthopoulos are of particular note at opposite ends of the character spectrum. His character's violent, unforgiving nature is omnipresent, almost palpable, throughout, while her duel-character role of mistreated sister and awkward, comical, would-be suitor (Count of Satigny) are played with great effect.
Exacting movement instruction is evident in a well-choreographed dance sequence with five couples by choreographer Anthony Salatino. Rasean Davonte Johnson's evocative scenic design, replete with eerie window curtain movement and stunning wall projections, delineating growing intensity within the family as well as the outer society, is, alone, worth the price of admission.
Details:
What: "The House of the Spirits"
Where: Syracuse University Department of Drama, Syracuse Stage Complex, 820 E. St. Syracuse
When Seen: Opening Night, Saturday, November 11, 2017
Attendance: Full House in the Storch Theater
Length of production: 2 hours, 30 minutes, including a 15-minute intermission
Family Guide: High School +, contains violence, gunshots, images of rape, and adult language
Runs: Through November 18
Information and Tickets: 315-443-3275 and vpa.syr.edu/dramatickets