Prayer for the French Republic | The Sleepless Critic

REVIEW: Endearing yet complex, The Huntington’s ‘We Had a World’ an exceptional love letter to family

Posted on March 4 by The Sleepless Critic

Award-winning playwright Joshua Harmon brings insight into his multifaceted life with textured humor in We Had a World, Harmon’s deeply personal family memory play inspired by his grandmother.

Will Conard brings warmth and amiability to narrator Joshua Harmon who highlights his indelible bond with his grandmother Renee and the mark and influence she made on his life, even as he has only seen her through rose colored glasses.

Amy Resnick and Will Conard in The Huntington’s ‘We Had a World’ Photo by Annielly Camargo

Soulfully directed by Keira Fromm, The Huntington continues the regional premiere of Joshua Harmon’s autobiographical play We Had a World live and in person at the Calderwood Pavilion through Sunday, March 15. This wonderful semi-interactive production runs one hour and 40 with no intermission and contains some adult humor. Click here for more information and for tickets.

Will Conard in the Huntington’s ‘We Had a World’ Photo by Annielly Camargo

Joshua Harmon is a brilliant playwright and is no stranger to depicting family dynamics as demonstrated in his fascinating and intricate French and Jewish multi-generational play, Prayer for the French Republic spanning from 1944 to 2016 recently presented at the Huntington in 2022. It’s a family portrait with depth and complication taking place over decades and though it differs in tone, We Had a World also depicts its own intimate family portrait.

A play within a play of sorts, We Had a World focuses on Conard as playwright Joshua Harmon growing up with Eva Kaminsky as his orderly and sensible mother Ellen and Amy Resnick as his adventurous grandmother Renee spanning from the 80s through today. It delves into family drama with wit and humor while exploring missteps, misunderstandings, trauma, abuse, and family secrets.

Will Conard and Eva Kaminsky in The Huntington’s ‘We Had a World’ Photo by Annielly Camargo

Courtney O’Neill’s stylish and detailed brick trimmed setting acts as several significant places in this family’s life including Renee’s elegant Upper East Side NYC apartment and a posh Parisian hotel room. Parisian love seats, warm lighting and upscale décor are just part of this inviting and multi functional backdrop.

Amy Resnick in The Huntington’s ‘We Had a World’ Photo by Annielly Camargo

Tyler Micholeau’s meticulous lighting cleverly clicks and darts on each character as if under the limelight to share their unique perspectives. Each cast member is remarkable, but Amy Resnick is marvelous as Renee and a bit of a scene stealer. Regardless of the flaws she has within her family, you still can’t help but revel in her unfiltered personality. Bawdy, unapologetic, adventurous and a bit naughty, Resnick encapsulates Renee who can alleviate almost anything through her charismatic and unfiltered sense of humor. Conard’s agreeable, peacemaking and well meaning Joshua blends well with Renee’s laissez faire rapport which hones a rare curiosity for the world as they learn from one another. Resnick speaks to her grandson like an aspiring adult rather than a child which does not always sit well with Kaminsky’s Ellen. Kaminsky’s Ellen is practical, a tinge jealous and guarded while Renee seems carefree and wild. With stubbornness and lively personalities, Kaminsky and Resnick share a fascinating rapport and together make quite the impression even as they insist they are not alike.

Eva Kaminsky in The Huntington’s ‘We Had a World’ Photo by Annielly Camargo

A familiar and believable tight knit family, they undermine and judge one another and are so close, they cannot help but challenge each other as they thrust one another under the microscope. At times casual and humorous and other times unflinching, We Had a World has its share of raw and bitter resentments and family squabbling which has the potential to cut to the quick, but never lets the production become too heavy and serious even during intense times.

The production’s witty dialogue boasts a natural flow and the distinctive way these characters confide in each other and the audience with humor, candidness and ruefulness at times within the same thought makes it one of the best shows I’ve seen this year. Humorous and poignant, it is a show you won’t soon forget.

The Huntington continues the regional premiere of Joshua Harmon’s autobiographical play We Had a World live and in person at the Calderwood Pavilion through Sunday, March 15. Click here for more information and for tickets.

REVIEW: Tom Stoppard’s indelible epic ‘Leopoldstadt’ at the Huntington

Posted on October 4, 2024 by The Sleepless Critic

Flanked with brass and crystal embellishments, a gorgeous Vienna apartment is festively adorned as a beautiful upper class family celebrates Hanukkah….and then Christmas and the Nativity. It is subtle at first, but there lies a divide in this extended Jewish family reaching further than 1899. Over the stretch of 56 years through war, strife, turmoil, heartache and tragedy lays a growing divide that impacts generations and it only gets more complicated.

Directed conscientiously by Carey Perloff, The Huntington and Shakespeare Theatre Company presents Tom Stoppard’s epic Tony Award-winning production of Leopoldstadt live and in person at The Huntington in Boston, Massachusetts through October 13. This multi-generational production is two hours and twenty minutes plus one 15 minute intermission. Click here for more information and for tickets.

Left to right: The cast of Leopoldstadt b. Forefront (L to R): Brenda Meaney and Rachel Felstein
Tom Stoppard’s Leopoldstadt; directed by Carey Perloff
September 12 – October 13, 2024 at The Huntington Theatre, 264 Huntington Ave.
Photo by Liza Voll

The Huntington has recently been presenting family multi-generational productions which include The Lehman’s Trilogy also directed by Perloff about the Lehman Brothers spanning a 163-year period before exploring the world of the Salomon family in Joshua Harmon’s Prayer for the French Republic spanning almost 70 years.

Leopoldstadt is inspired by Stoppard’s own family experiences which span a pivotal time from 1899 to 1955. The show has a large cast which explores resilience, identity, grief, survival, fear, hate, and the struggle with one’s own faith in the face of growing darkness.

The cast of Tom Stoppard’s Leopoldstadt; directed by Carey Perloff
September 12 – October 13, 2024 at The Huntington Theatre, 264 Huntington Ave.
Photo by Liza Voll

Scenic designer Ken MacDonald impressively reflects transformation over time starting with the opening of the production in an opulent Vienna apartment with built-in bookshelves packed with various selections, a large decorated window with a stellar view of the city, a feast at the dining room table with a real Christmas tree lit with live burning candles. The Merz-Jacobovicz family is decked out in their best in colorful embroidered gowns and classic patterns in velvet and lace as the men dress in timely suits by costumer Alex Jaeger. A portrait of a family celebrating Hanukkah and Christmas on the same day as Phyllis Kay, in a dual role as Eva and here as fascinating Grandma Emilia, uses terms seemingly lightly such as ‘Christianized’ and presenting the tree ‘for the papists.’

Left to right: The cast of Leopoldstadt b. Foreground (L to R): Brenda Meaney, Nael Nacer
Tom Stoppard’s Leopoldstadt; directed by Carey Perloff
September 12 – October 13, 2024 at The Huntington Theatre, 264 Huntington Ave.
Photo by Liza Voll

This extended family is its own melting pot of beliefs and heritage which is often explored through deep discussion between Brothers Nael Nacer as textile manufacturer Hermann and Firdous Bamji as mathematician Ludwig. The conversations intensify as the show progresses between Hermann as a Jew converted to Catholicism and Jewish Ludwig as they explore politics and their stirring reasons behind their demeanors and beliefs as time and turmoil takes hold through two world wars and as a new generation enters the world.

Left to right: Holden King-Farbstein, Joshua Chessin-Yudin, Quinn Murphy, Firdous Bamji
Tom Stoppard’s Leopoldstadt; directed by Carey Perloff
September 12 – October 13, 2024 at The Huntington Theatre, 264 Huntington Ave.
Photo by Liza Voll

Another key figure in the production is Brenda Meaney in a nuanced depiction of Hermann’s complex wife Gretl who is Catholic yet enamored with Jewish tradition and takes part in a scandalous and unpredictable storyline. Samuel Adams is also memorable in a dual role as egotistical and shrewd Officer Fritz and English journalist Percy. However, Mishka Yarovoy is haunting in a dual role as devastated soldier Jacob and Leo who are both replete with loss.

Left to right: Mishka Yarovoy, Nael Nacer, Brenda Meaney
Tom Stoppard’s Leopoldstadt; directed by Carey Perloff
September 12 – October 13, 2024 at The Huntington Theatre, 264 Huntington Ave.
Photo by Liza Voll

This historically significant and symbolic production takes some time to build as does the nature of fascism in its escalating subtlety and the revelations in this production are deep and impactful. The show’s affecting familial layers unfurl with resonance and familiarity as startling details take shape about these critical years including a riveting depiction of The Night of Broken Glass in 1938 infusing Jane Shaw’s stunning sound design, Robert Wierzel’s evocative lighting and Yuki Izumihara’s astonishing projections sure to stay with you long after the production has ended. Leopoldstadt is a timeless and cautionary piece of theatre not to be missed.

The cast of Leopoldstadt
Tom Stoppard’s Leopoldstadt; directed by Carey Perloff
September 12 – October 13, 2024 at The Huntington Theatre, 264 Huntington Ave.
Photo by Liza Voll

Directed conscientiously by Carey Perloff, The Huntington and Shakespeare Theatre Company presents Tom Stoppard’s epic Tony Award-winning production of Leopoldstadt live and in person at The Huntington in Boston, Massachusetts through October 13. This multi-generational production is two hours and twenty minutes plus one 15 minute intermission. Click here for more information and for tickets.

REVIEW: The Huntington’s ‘Prayer for the French Republic’ a contemplative family drama

Posted on September 30, 2023 by The Sleepless Critic

How does one live in fear?

Two linked tales unfold at times simultaneously onstage. Having recently presented the epic multi-generational play, The Lehman’s Trilogy, The Huntington explores the world of the Salomon family whose stock in trade is selling pianos in Joshua Harmon’s Prayer for the French Republic. Though a piano sits center stage, it is less about the family business, but about this French Jewish family’s experiences over the years residing in Paris at a pivotal time in 1944 and 2016. The Salomon Family has resided in Paris for five generations. Fear may change its face over the years, but somehow remains the same.

With shrewd direction by Loretta Greco, The Huntington presents Joshua Harmon’s Prayer for the French Republic continuing through October 8. The show is two hours and 50 minutes with one ten minute intermission and contains adult content. Click here for more information and for tickets.

Left to right: The cast of Prayer for the French Republic; photo by T Charles Erickson

Andrew Boyce’s chic and moving turntable scenic design complete with crown molding, distinctive gold framed paintings, cozy fireplace, and canapé sets a signature Parisian tone as a vintage piano sits center stage. After two starting revelations, Prayer for the French Republic unravels two tales delving into loneliness, family, fear, love, grief, and the hardships and persecution the Jewish face, questioning the meaning behind ‘Republic for all.’

Left to right: (foreground) Tony Estrella; (background) Peter Van Wagner, Phyllis Kay; photo by T Charles Erickson PRAYER FOR THE FRENCH REPUBLIC By Joshua Harmon The Huntington Theatre 09/06/23 Directed by Huntington Artistic Director Loretta Greco Lighting Design: Christopher Akerlind Costume Design: Alex Jaeger Scenic Design: Andrew Boyce PRAYER FOR THE FRENCH REPUBLIC is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. http://www.concordtheatricals.com T Charles Erickson Photography Photograph © T Charles Erickson tcharleserickson.photoshelter.com

The show has an enigmatic air tied together by Tony Estrella who acts a narrator and family member. As Estrella sets up the audience for what is next and weaving in and out of the narrative, his semi-interactive and complex role as Patrick paints him as antagonist, thoughtful narrator, and brother with a frank and natural delivery.

Left to right: Amy Resnick, Tony Estrella; photo by T Charles Erickson PRAYER FOR THE FRENCH REPUBLIC By Joshua Harmon The Huntington Theatre 09/06/23 Directed by Huntington Artistic Director Loretta Greco Lighting Design: Christopher Akerlind Costume Design: Alex Jaeger Scenic Design: Andrew Boyce PRAYER FOR THE FRENCH REPUBLIC is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. http://www.concordtheatricals.com T Charles Erickson Photography Photograph © T Charles Erickson tcharleserickson.photoshelter.com

The show explores some traditional Jewish customs and is a study in ancestry as Amy Resnick as Marcelle takes a moment to explain this strong willed family tree. Carly Zien is a bit of a scene stealer and delivers a crackling performance as witty, moody and seemingly unstable Elodie, Marcelle and Charles’s daughter. Zien’s fast talking and frank delivery as Elodie offers equal amounts horror and humor as she explains the frustrating state of the world to Talia Sulla as bright eyed, lively, well meaning but increasingly outspoken Molly. Molly’s cheery disposition is refreshing to orderly and increasingly tense psychiatrist Marcelle depicted keenly by Amy Resnick and the mother and daughter dynamic is thrust into overdrive as Resnick and Zien butt heads on almost every issue. Nael Nacer steps in as fair minded Charles for this performance and Joshua Chessin-Yudin depicts headstrong, sympathetic and unassuming Daniel, Elodie’s brother. Chessin-Yudin and Sulla share some endearing scenes as they wrestle with the other’s point of view.

Left to right: Talia Sulla, Joshua Chessin-Yudin; photo by T Charles Erickson

Contentions within the family and the future are laid out in a piece of clever staging as their dining room table steadily shifts. Another noteworthy incident builds prickling tension and silent trauma as Molly overhears an argument in the next room with only Sulla’s face visible in the shadows. Phillis Kay as Irma and Peter Van Wagner as Adolphe make a disquieting yet charming couple, but it is Jared Troilo as Lucian with Jesse Kodama/Will Lyman as Pierre Solomon who makes the greatest impact with a startling revelation that presses for more questions than answers.

Left to right: Phyllis Kay, Jesse Kodama, Jared Troilo; photo by T Charles Erickson

Prayer for the French Republic is contemplative and direct with its share of lighter moments as both tales converge to beg the question: How do we move forward? How to move forward in the face of fear?