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A CurtainUp Los Angeles Review
Zastrozzi
| Once you make your one little mistake, sir, you must continue or be destroyed. The insulation of evil is the only thing that makes you survive.— Bernardo to Zastrozzi.
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Producers 49th Parallel Theatre and Open at the Top Productions have imported film noir movie posters to the lobby of the Noho Arts Center to underline the homicidal revenge motif. Co-directors Sara Botsford and Chris (CB) Brown have set a flamboyant pace laced with humor appropriately lit by Luke Moyer in a dim design that flickers like the fires of hell against Lacey Anzelc's Gothic dungeonesque set of rough stones.
Philippe Brenninkmeyer plays the complex Zastrozzi with an icy elegance that cracks with the winds of passion or vulnerability. Zastrozzi's fascinating and murderous mandate is that we must all be accountable. Since there is no God, everyone can be accountable to him.
He's complimented by sensuous Anna Khaja, a Noho Angelina Jolie, as the murderous Matilda who has a wicked way with a rapier and an even wickeder one with a bullwhip.
br> At the performance viewed Alex Robert Holmes played Verezzi as a deranged visionary whose madness may have the method of self-preservation, bringing out the humor in the play with bright vapidity. Bob Morrisey is a ruminative Victor, the ex-priest who is hi tutor. Drak Simpson is a hulking Bernardo, Zastrossi's assistant, and Holly Persell primly plays Julia, the teen-age virgin. The play, originally set in 1893, has been updated to 1948 Vienna and, even in Harry Lime's time, virgins wore demure masks then.
Zastrozzi's inspiration has trickled down to everything from the philosopher Nietsche to Humphrey Bogart movies. A fascinating and provocative study of the nature of evil, religion, obsession and sexuality that can be enjoyed on many levels.
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ZASTROZZI Playwright: George F. Walker, from a novel by Percy Byshe Shelley Director: Sara Botsford and Christopher Brown Cast: Philippe Brenninkmeyer (Zastrozzi), Anna Khaja (Matilda), Alex Robert Holmes, Hans Longo (alternates) Verezzi, Bob Morrisey (Victor), Holly Persell (Julia), Drake Simpson (Bernardo) Scenic Design: Lacey Anzelc Lighting Design: Luke Moyer Costume Design: Curtis C Fight Choreography: Victor Warren, assistant Patricia Tallman Sound Design: Jonathan Zenz Hair & Wig Design: Diane Martinous Vocal Coach: Ann Stocking Assistant Director/Stage Manager: Tara Lynn Orr Production Stage Manager: Billie Puyear Running Time: Two and a half hours, one intermission Running Dates: July 18-August 24, 2008 Where: Noho Arts Center, 11136 Magnolia Blvd, North Hollywood. Reservations: (818) 508-7101. Reviewed by Laura Hitchcock on July 19. |
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