The Stagecrafters Present a Thought Provoking Production of the Visit

Theater: The Stagecrafters
Show Title: The Visit
Opened: November 9, 2007
Seen: November 17, 2007
Reviewer: Arnie Finkel
Submitted: November 18, 2007

When you see a play that is important and thought provoking; when you see a performance that is exceptional; when after the curtain is down you are interested in discussing what you have seen; then—you realize there is nothing better than live theater.

The Q & A session (unusual for the Stagecrafters) proved that all of the above points were met by the current presentation of The Visit.

The story of Friedrich Duerrenmatt’s 50 year old Tragi-comedy The Visit involves the return of Claire Zachanassian to her poor, shabby middle European home town, Guellen, after many years. When she left, she was a disgraced 17 year old beauty, 7 months pregnant, and without any means to cope with the world. She returns as the richest woman in the world. She then offers the town and its people a billion (of some kind of currency)to give her “justice”. The one requirement for the money is to kill one of the town’s leading citizens, Alfred Schill, her one time lover, who was the cause of her disgrace.

The rest of the evening is devoted to the effect the offer has on the townspeople and on Herr Schill. The moral dilemma is investigated from all sides. Is murder ever justified? How powerful an impetus is greed to people who have nothing and no hope? Madam Zachanassian is content to sit on her balcony with her strange entourage and just wait.

Over the years there have been many interpretations of The Visit. Is it the depiction of Nazi Germany, or of Communism, or a European version of the US as a materialistic villain? How heavily does guilt weigh on the conscience of a man? What is the true nature of “Justice”? The play asks you to come away with your own answers.

The Stagecrafters production is a marvel. E Ashley Izard as Claire Zachanassian was imperious, stern, driven and altogether believable in a part that could easily become a cartoon character. She manages to be a person driven by hate who cannot let go of a lost love.

Court van Rooten as Alfred Schill was every bit as strong. He manages the difficult transition from the “good” man, through the fearful man, to at last the resigned, almost noble man with great skill.

The 19 person cast was all up to a fine level. T. J. DeLuca as the officious Mayor, Richard Geller as the School Master and conscience of the town, Michael Mogar as the Priest, Jeff Ragan as the Police Chief, and Gerry Stokker as the Town Physician all had their moments and did well by them.

Jim Lewis, James Hern, David Coffin, Hilton Gieseke, Paolo Barolat-Romana, Greg Pronka, Leah O’Hara, Michael Tamin Yurcaba, Bernie Weinstein, Ginny Kaufmann, Jennifer Lynn Close, and Mary McNeill Zell round out the players all of whom contributed (some doubling for characters) mightily to the excellent performance.

The 17 scenes required by the script were no problem for set designers Yaga Brady and Richard Stewart. The unit set was ingenious. It required the cast setting the pieces in a half light which, in this instance, did not impede the flow of the action.

The costume design by Jen Adams reflected the correct 50’s period and, especially in the case of Claire, was spectacular. Gilbert Todd and Harry McKinney III did wonders with the few instruments available to light the show.

Director Yaga Brady deserves a Tony for moving 19 people around beautifully on the limited space the Stagecrafters have to work with. She has obviously done her homework and has a great understanding of the play. I was particularly struck with the second act curtain scene. Ms. Yaga brilliantly had the scene played with a quiet menace that was effective. She correctly did not blur the poetry in the prose dialogue. The pace with the slow humorous build of act one to the end of the play was exactly right.

All in all, I am glad that I had the experience of this fine production. It is the 489th offering of Stagecrafters in their 79th season. I will be glad to return for more of their season.