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Misbegotten
Delves Into the Shadows of the Soul
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Kerri
Kanelos
October
13th 2003 |
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 Although
one of the most prominent American playwrights
of all time, Eugene O'Neill had one major
regret during the final years of his life.
Eugene dismissed his alcoholic brother James
and let him rot away in a New Jersey sanitarium
without ever paying him a visit. Since most
pieces of art are dedicated or inspired by
certain individuals in an artist's life, O'Neill
sat down in his regret and sorrow to pen A
Moon for the Misbegotten in homage to
his ill brother. Now playing at Trinity Repertory
Company, O'Neill's Moon is in part the sad
biographical journey of James and how this
famous playwright hopes his brother found
eternal peace.
A Moon for the
Misbegotten opens in 1923 with Phil (William
Damkoehler) and Josie Hogan, a quick witted
yet rather rough-around-the-edges father and
daughter duo. Once a large Irish Catholic
family, the Hogans have slowly dispersed throughout
Connecticut because of Phil's alcoholic tirades.
He curses the wealthy, the religious, the
successful and most of all, God, for taking
his wife while giving birth to their son Michael.
Josie, played
by Trinity regular Janice Duclos, is a marvel
of a woman-an incredible combination of natural,
maternal and sexual attributes. Her larger
than life personality provides some rather
comical moments throughout the performance.
She appears to run through life with wild
abandon, running her mouth and sleeping with
every man in town. She scoffs at anyone who
mentions the idea of marriage. However, these
instances only shadow her innermost insecurities
and weaknesses in the end.
The final character
that creates Moon's power trio is James Tyrone
Jr. (Fred Sullivan, Jr.), the wealthy and
successful landlord and friend of the Hogans.
Despite his career as an actor and prominence
in a wealthy local family, Jim Tyrone appears
a little off balance. Intoxicated during every
visit to the Hogan's, Jim enjoys flirting
wildly with Josie and sharing drinks with
Phil.
During the final
act, all bets are off as the real truth and
true personality of each character comes to
light. Jim confesses his true feelings for
Josie and asks for one night together with
a woman who doesn't act like the "tarts"
on Broadway. Josie consoles Jim as she listens
to his past and the demons that continue to
haunt him. Eventually, the bourbon wears away
and reveals just how empty and sorrowful Jim
Tyrone's life has become. The facades of Jim's
acting career, wealth and notoriety shed themselves
to reveal that he is in a much sorrier situation
than any poor pig farmer. Much like O'Neill's
brother, Jim Tyrone is completely consumed
in the plight of his alcoholism. The audience
also learns about the actual motives behind
Josie's relationship with Jim Tyrone and how
Phil really feels about his only daughter.
Eugene O'Neill's
work is no stranger to the cast or Trinity
Rep as a whole. During its 1995-1996 season,
Trinity showcased O'Neill's first autobiographical
piece Long Day's Journey into Night. This
performance delved deeply into the lives of
the Tyrone family and served as a prequel
to Moon. Both William Damkoehler (Phil Hogan)
and Fred Sullivan, Jr. (James Tyrone, Jr.)
starred in the 1995 performance as James Tyrone,
Sr. and Edmund Tyrone respectively. Janice
Duclos played the same role as Josie less
than two years ago for the Washington Arena
Theatre's adaptation of Moon.
Duclos shined
in her repeat role as Josie. After performing
in Moon for a second time, she has mastered
the attitude and air of this commanding role.
Fred Sullivan, Jr. also embodied Jim Tyrone
to the fullest extent. However, the true theatrical
magic occurred when Duclos and Sullivan performed
together. Their onstage relationship was truly
believable-uplifting yet heartbreaking at
the same time. William Damkoehler enchanted
the audience with his drunken, comical snippets
and money grubbing ways.
While each actor
in A Moon for the Misbegotten adapted their
roles skillfully, they were not without flaw.
There were quite a few fumbled lines for such
a seasoned and experienced collection of actors.
Also, whenever the scene became heated with
shouting and yelling, the cast seemed to lose
their Irish accents.
The set design
for this performance beautifully transformed
the Dowling Theatre. Seating was completely
rearranged to form almost a full circle audience
around the farmhouse set. From the rusted,
legless bathtub in the yard to the rotting
wood used to support the Hogan house, the
scenery created a perfect picture of an early
20th century farm. A smooth, seat-shaped rock
became the pivotal piece on the stage as it
held Josie and Jim during their dramatic final
scene together. Also, many audience members
were very impressed with the running water
pump and centrally place tree.
Although Moon
is set in the early twentieth century, there
is not one aspect of this performance that
doesn't ring true today. There still remains
a rather fine and guarded line between one's
reputation and one's true, inner personality.
O'Neill's masterpiece not only brings the
dark secrets of his family to light, but it
also causes viewers to reflect on their own
situations and to hope for the future.
A Moon for
the Misbegotten runs at Trinity
Repertory Company in Providence now through
November 8th. Tickets are $28 to $48. For
tickets or more information, call the Box
Office at (401) 351-4242
This article was previously
published on www.lovethyjob.com |
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