Incident at Vichy

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INCIDENT AT VICHY

Photo: Joan Marcus

Cititour.com Review
With this being Arthur Miller’s centennial year, and anti-Semitism back in the rise in Europe (and elsewhere), could there be a more timely play to revive than “Incident at Vichy”? And while the play was a noted Broadway flop back in 1964, audiences at the Signature Theatre Center are more likely to give Michael Wilson’s well-acted production of Miller’s examination of the causes of the Holocaust hearty ovations rather than boos.
Admittedly, like many Miller works, “Vichy” has its shortcomings; it can feel overly philosophical, preachy and a touch schematic. But this 90-minute one-act also has enormous visceral power, as well as serving as a potent reminder of how the unthinkable became real. Yes, the play is set in France in 1942 (during the German occupation), but you only have to read the news to realize it could be France in 2015 if things don’t change soon.

Miller’s set-up is simple: a group of nameless men are being held in a detention room (evocatively designed by Jeff Cowie), unaware or unable to admit their awareness of why they’re there. Ostensibly, they’ve been taken off the street so authorities can check their papers, but it doesn’t take long for the nervous artist Lebeau (a high-pitched turn by Johnny Orsini) to put a name to the game. Isn’t everyone in the room Peruvian? (Of course, he means Jewish!) And isn’t it why they’re there?

As the room fills up, there’s only one person whose “racial” identity is made clear from the start: Prince Von Berg, a gentile – and gentle -- Austrian aristocrat who will prove to be even nobler than his title. He’s played here, authentic accent and all, by Richard Thomas, who hands in a performance of remarkable feeling and hidden depths that will stay with you for days.

Indeed, it’s the true veterans in this 17-ensemble cast who shine the brightest, even in smallish roles: Derek Smith as the strutting actor Monceau; Jonathan Hadary in the practically non-verbal role of the “Old Jew”; and John Proccacino as the proper businessman Marchand. The most surprising work comes from James Carpinello, who delivers a stunning fire-and-ice turn as a conflicted Army major. And in perhaps the largest and showiest part, Darren Pettie effectively alternates between bluster and blabber as the uber-rational psychiatrist LeDuc (although he seems stalwartly American, rather than European).

History lessons from the far past (“Hamilton”) to the recent past (“Allegiance”) and near future (“King Charles III”) are all the stage rage today. For better and worse, “Incident at Vichy” proves to be another one well worth heeding.

By Brian Scott Lipton


Visit the Site
http://www.signaturetheatre.org/tickets/production.aspx?pid=4280

Cast
David Abeles, Curtis Billings, James Carpinello, AJ Cedeño, Quinlan Corbett, Brian Cross, Demosthenes Chrysan, Jonathan Gordon, Jonathan Hadary, Alex Morf, Jonny Orsini, Darren Pettie, John Procaccino, Alec Shaw, Derek Smith, Richard Thomas, Evan Zes

Open/Close Dates
Opening 10/27/2015
Closing 12/20/2015

Box Office
212-244-7529

Theatre Info
Signature Theatre
480 W 42nd St
New York, NY 10036
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