|
Oedipus Complex
Adapted and Directed by Frank Galati
At the Goodman Theatre
170 N. Dearborn Ave
Chicago, IL
Call 3120443-3800, tickets 420 - $68
Wednesdays at 7:30 pm
Thursdays at 2 & 8 pm
Fridays at 8 pm
Saturdays at 2 & 8 pm
Sundays at 2 & 7:30 pm
Special Tuesday performance May 29 at 7:30 pm
Running time is 1 hour, 45 minutes with no intermission
Through June 3, 2007
Stunning production values lifts psychosexual work
Frank Galati is a marvelously imaginative storyteller capable of making dense material into a stunningly visual work of art. He is at his finest with his adaptation of the Greek mythological story of Oedipus. This provocative riff features Sigmund Freud (Nick Sandys) and Oedipus’ (Ben Viccellio) interaction and interpretation the riddle of the Oedipus Complex. The Freudian dreams involving Oedipus helped shape modern psychoanalysis. Galati has woven the ancient story with early 20th Century Vienna where Freud challenges Oedipus to solve the riddle. The result is a boldly innovative night of theatre.
“Oedipus Complex is a mesmerizing, gorgeous piece of theater that is at once scary and seductive, sophisticated and primal—which shapes an astonishing dramatic dialogue,” states Robert Falls, Goodman Theatre Artistic Director.
Featuring 14 of our top leading men working flawlessly as a unison chorus in the pure Greek theatrical style, and set upon a Vienna lecture hall circa 1900 (set design by James Schuette) featuring long black-on-black coats, Oedipus Complex marvelously weaves modern psychology notions with ancient Greek riddle. The sexual dreams wherein a man is fated to murder his father and marry his mother finds relevance to Freud’s beliefs on early sexual urges.
Nick Sandys is riveting as Freud as he clearly articulates the founder of modern psychoanalysis’ personal story as the basis of his early sexual trauma. Susan Hart is outstanding as the emotionally tormented Jocasta, Oedipus’ wife who may know more than she’s willing to admit. Ben Viccellio’s Oedipus is a strong and honest performance where he is haunted and determined to solve the riddle in order to find peace. Viccellio is sensual and youthful enough to be a believable and effective Oedipus.
I especially like the 14 person chorus whose unison pronouncements added depth to the tone. Jeffrey Baumgartner’s Teiresias’ was spell bounding while Patrick Clear, Roderick Peeples and Bradley Armacost added nice performances.
Oedipus Complex is captivating seminal tale filled with a nice mixture of sexual, psychological and dramatic power that unfolds as a fresh perspective on the Oedipus Rex myth. Frank Galati’s work here is an awesome theatrical experience.
Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: May 8, 2007
Jeff Recommended
|
