Therese Raquin
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Cititour.com Review
Movie star Keira Knightley is the marquee name behind the new Broadway production of Therese Raquin, but it’s members of the supporting cast that shine brightest in this Roundabout Theatre show, a considerably cold and distant venture that never burns with the passion or pain it needs.
Adapted by British scribe Helen Edmundson from Emile Zola’s once-scandalous 19th-century French novel, it centers on a young woman with little say in her own life. Raised by her possessive aunt, Madame Raquin (Judith Light), after being orphaned, Therese is married off to her self-absorbed cousin Camille (Gabriel Ebert), but her spirit remains restless.
Enter Laurent (Matt Ryan), a passionate young man who works with Camille as a railway clerk but dreams of being a painter. Once he arouses Therese’s ardor — with almost comical speed — the pair conclude that the only way they can be together is to kill Camille.
That plan backfires for the characters as well as the audience, because losing the talented Ebert — a Tony winner for the musical Matilda — for the whole second part of this two-and-a-half-hour show makes Act II a very dreary experience indeed. Camille may be a bratty, spoiled mama’s boy who would rather admire his own painted portrait than the beauty of his wife, but it’s hard to take your eyes off Ebert, who embodies his character with great zest.
Fortunately, there’s still Light, herself a two-time Tony winner. Even as Madame Raquin becomes increasingly incapacitated, the actress reveals depths of character just by moving her eyes. But Brits Knightley and Ryan, who have the lion’s share of the stage time, generate few romantic sparks as they spout generic romantic platitudes. Neither has a commanding stage presence, but they also don’t have top-notch material to work with. Edmundson’s adaptation is filled with choppy scenes and grows increasingly melodramatic, especially in the second act, as Therese and Laurent are haunted by their dark deed.
Director Evan Cabnet appears to have devoted more attention to the production’s design elements, which are stunning. Beowulf Boritt’s imposing set includes a river with actual water, where the dramatic Act I finale plays out. Keith Parham’s lighting invokes the chilliness of Therese’s somber world. But that mood doesn’t extend to the story or most of the performances. What should be a steamy and heart-wrenching story of passion and torment becomes a rather dangerless liaison.
By Diane Snyder
Visit the Site
http://www.roundabouttheatre.org/Shows-Events/Therese-Raquin.aspx
Cast
Keira Knightley, Gabriel Ebert, Matt Ryan, Judith Light, David Patrick Kelly, Jeff Still, Mary Wiseman, Glynis Bell, Alex Mickiewicz, Sara Topham, Ray Virta
Open/Close Dates
Opening 10/29/2015
Closing 1/3/2016
Preview Open/ Preview Close Dates
Preview Opening 10/1/2015
Closing Open-ended
Box Office
212- 719-1300
Theatre Info
Studio 54
254 West 54th Street
New York, NY 10019
Map
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