If Thompson's Helen were any more no-holes-barred violent, broken furniture (all of it black, clever) would be strewn about the stage. Yet Thompson has this come from a driving willfulness rather than selfishness, if the distinction makes sense. Her rage clearly is coming from the kind of indomitable spirit that will drive the post-play Helen Keller to learn several languages in Braille and graduate from Radcliffe.
All of this understated acting, in the context of strong emotions surging below, has its desired effect. A friend who attended and avers that she never, ever cries at weepy movies said that she was teary by the end of this production. That's testimony to actorly honesty, of which there is no scarcity in this fine company.
By the way, 2nd Story will be staging Front Page this season instead of Death of a Salesman. As artistic director Shea put it on press night, "I decided this wasn't the best time to do a play about a guy who commits suicide because he can't find a job." After all, the can-do inspiration of Annie and Helen can last only so long.
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Topics:
Theater
, Entertainment, Performing Arts, Theater, More
, Entertainment, Performing Arts, Theater, Theatrical Plays, William Gibson, Helen Keller, Helen Keller, Ed Shea, Jonathan Jacobs, Amy Thompson, Less
