The Present

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THE PRESENT

Photo: Joan Marcus

Cititour.com Review
For anyone even vaguely familiar with the work of the great Anton Chekhov, the double meaning that author Andrew Upton has chosen by titling his play “The Present,” a freehand reworking of the Russian dramatist’s little-known “Platonov,” should be fairly clear.

First, the almost typically Chekhovian assortment of friends, relations and hangers-on who congregate on a country estate – in this case, sometimes in the mid-1990s to celebrate the 40th birthday of free-spirited widow Anna (Cate Blanchett) – constantly struggle to break free of their pasts (personal and ideological) to live in the present day. Second, there is the first literal present (of the birthday kind) we see: a gun that belonged to Anna’s late husband, a beloved general, which in true Chekhovian fashion (no real spoiler here) will go off before the weekend is over.

A rather sprawling and sometimes unfocused three-hour piece that teeters between melodrama and farce, “The Present” ends up as neither first-rate Chekhov, nor I suspect even first-rate Upton. But it contains plenty of touching and hilarious moments, numerous deep-seated truths about human relationships, and some award-worthy acting. Indeed, the rare chance to see this excellent all-Australian ensemble on stage, led by Oscar winner Blanchett and the blazingly charismatic Richard Roxburgh (as the self-important, womanizing Mikhail Platonov), shouldn’t be missed.

The many intertwining plotlines of “The Present” are occasionally dizzying to follow, especially as Upton has slightly shifted the original work’s focus away from its real protagonist Platonov, a math teacher whose favorite subject is women. Though vaguely content in his marriage to the plump yet sweet Sasha (Susan Prior), his roving eye and untamed heart also land on long-ago flame Sophia (Jacqueline McKenzie), a serious-seeming doctor recently married to Platonov’s close friend and Anna’s former stepson, the milquetoasty Sergei (Chris Ryan), as well as the nubile Maria (Anna Banford), who is not-so-seriously entwined with his other childhood pal, the vaguely immature Nikolai (Toby Schmitz).

Yet, there’s little doubt that the strongest connection lies between Platonov and Anna, who apparently had an affair before her marriage to the General at 19. The chemistry between Roxburgh and Blanchett, who have worked together on numerous occasions, is almost as explosive as the fireworks that go off right before intermission, blowing parts of the estate (and the play) to smithereens. When these two actors are on stage together, one can only dream of all the great plays they could do together. (A revival of “Private Lives” anyone?)

As good as the stars are, John Crowley’s assured direction allows even those actors with brief stage time, such as Marshall Napier as Sasha’s foolish, drunken father Ivan, and Eamon Farren as the know-it-all 20something Kiril, to make a strong impression. His use of period music is also quite effective (even if the play rarely seems to be actually set in the 1990s).

As for Blanchett (long married to Upton), she deserves extra kudos for making this show her Broadway debut, as the role of the conflicted Anna is a less-than-ideal showcase for her protean talents. (If only “A Streetcar Named Desire” had made it to Broadway!) Still, the magnificent verbal and physical specificity Blanchett brings to each line and movement, no matter how minor or major, is something wondrous to behold – and perhaps the greatest present an audience could receive to kick off 2017.
By Brian Scott Lipton


Visit the Site
http://www.thepresentbroadway.com

Cast
Cate Blanchett, Richard Roxburgh, Anna Bamford, Andrew Buchanan, David Downer, Eamon Farren, Martin Jacobs, Brandon McClelland, Jacqueline McKenzie, Marshall Napier, Susan Prior, Chris Ryan, Toby Schmitz

Open/Close Dates
Opening 1/8/2017
Closing 3/19/2017

Preview Open/ Preview Close Dates
Preview Opening 12/17/2016
Closing Open-ended

Box Office
212-239-6200

Theatre Info
Ethel Barrymore Theatre
234 West 47th Street
New York, NY 10036
Map



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