Date: Fri 02-Jul-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: SARAH

Quick Words:

Moliere-Yale-Cabaret-April

Full Text:

THEATRE REVIEW: Sisterhood Shines At Yale's Summer Cabaret

By June April

NEW HAVEN -- The relevance of Moliere's wit shines once again in the opening

production of Yale University's Summer Cabaret. Running through July 3, a

lively and pointed look at relationships and feminism once again demonstrates

the meaning of the terms "classic" and "farce."

The Sisterhood was translated and adapted by Ranjit Bolt, who conceived of

updating Moliere's play to a contemporary Parisian setting. It works! The

seven players have clearly committed to their roles, bringing to the audience

credible portrayals.

Under the guiding hand of director Alec Wild, the actors appear to have

thoroughly delved into their characters.

The Sisterhood is the story of a strongly matriarchal family who is seeking to

marry off the younger daughter, Henriette, to Trissotin, a sophomoric,

narcissistic money-grubbing supposed poet.

Brandon Miller does an amusing rendition of the outrageously ludicrous

Trisotin, who professes his intent to be a rock star (when he grows up...). Mr

Miller also plays a second character in the play, Ariste, who is Henriette's

uncle.

Cutting an imposingly impressive figure as the domineering wife Philaminte,

Kate Nowlin balances imperiousness with absurd behaviors. Filled with

pseudo-cultural values, her blindness to reality is humorously pathetic.

Offsetting Philaminte's authoritative manner is her seemingly spineless

husband, Chrysale, who is not quite as weak as he seems. In fact, he might

have the clarity of vision that few others in the household lack.

Brennan Brown offers a fine portrait of this character and also has a

secondary role of Vadius. Another poet, Vadius decries the attention

Trissotin's poetry is receiving. He openly declares it to be ostentatious and

banal.

Also noteworthy is Alice Dodd, whose portrayal of the sharp-tongued servant

Martine is one of the best in the production. As Henrietta's sister Armande,

she sometimes spoke her words rather than acted them, but was totally

delightful as the feisty servant.

Adriana Gaviria played the pragmatic Henrietta. Though her performance was a

little uneven and sometimes her voice dropped the final words in a line, she

was energetic and credible in her role.

Henriette's faithful love Clitandre, played by Jason Lambert, had a real sense

of being rooted, in the nicest way, in his role. Mr Lambert's control of his

voice was in contrast to some of the loud posturing of some of the other

characters.

Aunt Belise, Chrysale's sister (Henrietta's father's sister), as played by

Lael Logan, brought in a solid performance and promises to be someone to keep

an eye on.

With tasty food available in the basement theatre, it is a relaxing and

entertaining way to spend a summer evening. Celebrating a quarter of a century

of existence, Yale's Summer Cabaret is always fun, and it's certainly

reasonable.

(Ticket prices range from $9 to $16, with reduced season rates available. For

further information and to make reservations, call 432-1567. Dinner is served

at 6:15 pm, and the show begins at 8 every night.)