Dead Poets Society
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Cititour.com Review
“O Captain My Captain.” While the words are Walt Whitman’s, give Oscar-winning screenwriter Tom Schulman the credit for making them the mantra of impressionable teens everywhere after using them in the 1990 crowd pleasing film “Dead Poets Society.” Well, guess what? Thanks to the movie’s new stage adaptation at Classic Stage Society, penned by Schulman and directed with his trademark mixture of simplicity and ingenuity by Tony winner John Doyle, audience members of all ages will likely be repeating them all over again.
The “captain” in this case is no military man or great seafarer, but rather free-thinking 1950s’ boys prep school teacher John Keating (Jason Sudeikis), who urges his small band of students to “carpe diem” (seize the day). In doing so, he both opens up their minds and hearts, and leads them, perhaps unwittingly, to destinies unforeseen.
Keating, a former alum of the school, has been asked to teach by stern headmaster Mr. Nolan (the truly excellent David Garrison), and quickly bonds with his rag-tag troupe of six students, who include lovestruck Knox Overstreet (an endearing William Hochman) and aptly-named Steven Meeks (Bubba Weller). Most of all, he encourages golden boy Neil Perry (Thomas Mann) to defy his stern father (Stephen Barker Turner) and pursue acting, and helps bring super-shy Todd Anderson (a fine Zane Pais) out of his shell. That none of the boys will be the same after less-than-one semester with Keating shouldn’t surprise anyone, even if they’ve never seen the film.
Sudeikis, the former “Saturday Night Live” star who is making his official stage debut with this play, brings his rather unusual brand of gentle charisma and sharp-yet-loving sarcasm to the role. It’s a rather different take on Keating than his formidable screen predecessor Robin Williams (who, admittedly, seemed at times to have just escaped from a nearby asylum), but it ultimately works quite well for Doyle’s lower-key, less sentimental interpretation.
Doyle is aided in his endeavors by a top-notch creative team, including designer Scott Pask, who has filled the entire back wall with ultra-tall book cases (and trust me, the books won’t all stay there), complete with a moving ladder; costume designer Ann Hould-Ward, and lighting designer Japhy Weidman, all of whom do their customarily excellent work.
By the way, given how well the show is selling, you may have to seize whatever opportunity you can if you want a ticket to the show. If not, find a copy of Whitman and just read it at home.
By Brian Scott Lipton
Visit the Site
http://www.classicstage.org/season/dead-poets-society
Cast
Francesca Carpanini, David Garrison, William Hochman, Cody Kostro, Yaron Lotan, Thomas Mann, Zane Pais, Stephen Barker Turner, Bubba Weiler
Open/Close Dates
Opening 10/27/2016
Closing 12/18/2016
Box Office
212-352-3101
Theatre Info
CSC
136 East 13th Street
New York, NY 10003
Map
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