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The Night of the Iguana
By Tennessee Williams
Directed by Michael Menendian
At Raven Theatre
6157 N. Clark
Chicago, IL
Call 773-338-2177, tickets $25 ($20 die seniors & students)
Thursdays thru Saturdays at 8 pm
Sundays at 3 pm
Running time is 2hours, 40 minutes with intermission
Through December 8, 2007
“Do you want to see the Iguana. At the end of its rope? Like YOU! Like ME! Like Grandpa with his last poem.” --- Shannon
Dazzling tropical set fuels sizzling Williams’ classic
Raven Theatre celebrates its 25th Season with Tennessee Williams’ 1961 provocative The Night of the Iguana. Michael Menendian and Leif Olsen’s set was impressive as the large porch of the tropical shanty of the 1940’s Mexican hotel. This realistic set establishes the tone nicely. Director Menendian specializes in remounting classics true to the originals. Here with Iguana he has the four pro-Nazi German tourists gloating over London burning during the 1940 Blitz that gets cut from many remounts.
We meet Maxine Faulk (JoAnn Montemurro) as the worldly, tough hotel proprietor recently widowed. She lusts after her young Mexican waiters and cherishes a visit from her husbands only friend, Reverend Shannon (Paul Dunckel)—a defrocked Episcopal priest stuck in Mexico as a tour guide for church women’s groups. Shannon is one of the most complex characters Tennessee Williams ever created. He is crippled by sexual desires and promiscuity with teenage girls. He is an alcoholic wandered consumed with guilt, lust and passion. His struggles include being pursued by “spooks” as well as self-hatred for his sexual desires. He was locked out from his parish for “fornication and heresy.”
Maxine lusts after Shannon now that her husband is gone. Hannah Jelkes (Kristen Williams Smith) and her 97 year grandfather, Nonno (Tom Porter)—the oldest published poet in the world—two wondering arts end up at the rural hotel broke and disillusioned. Hannah is a 40ish spinster dedicated to Nonno and her water colors and sketches. She is impressed with Shannon and slowly sparks fly between the two lost souls each seeking purpose and passion in their life journeys. Maxine tries hard to keep the two apart as the sexual tension soars.
The drama contains intense emotions, repressed sexuality peopled with odd characters. The dialogue is marvelously poetic (a Tennessee Williams trademark). It is surprising filled with humor as well as biting wit. The large set conveys the proper sizzling atmosphere with Christine Ferriter’s lighting and Peter Storms sound design. The terrific cast is anchored by JoAnn Montemurro’s smart, crusty Maxine. Paul Dunckel plays Reverend Shannon with a complex and truthful understanding of the struggles and contradictions of the neurotic ex-priest. Dunckel is charismatic and empathetic. His chemistry with Kristen Williams Smith’s Hannah is electric. Smith is wonderful as the lost and desperate soul struggling to find love and passion. This drama has a fine blend of humor, angst and sexuality. The ensemble delivers terrific supporting work---Esteban Andres Cruz (Pancho) and Jason Lorenzo (Pedro) added depth as the Spanish only speaking servants.
The Night of the Iguana was Tennessee Williams’ last hit show and it contains his rich language that is sweet music to my ears. The elocution here played homage to Williams’ genius. Raven Theatre once again proves that non-Equity theatre can be first rate.
Highly Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
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Date Reviewed: October 18, 2007
Jeff Recommended
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