La Ronde
Written by Arthur Schnitzler
Directed by Tim Curtis
at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont (map)
thru April 15 | tickets: $20-$28 | more info
Check for half-price tickets
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Incendiary classic still has some bite
Street Tempo Theatre presents
La Ronde
Review by Keith Glab
Around the dawn of the 20th century, Austrian playwright Arthur Schnitzler published La Ronde, a play depicting a series of sexual encounters between pairs of characters. Each of the ten characters appears in successive scenes that explore the before and after of (usually illicit) coitus. The play was banned due to its raunchy content and did not get produced until 1920.
As controversial as it was in its time, Schnitzler’s La Ronde doesn’t have the same impact today, as modern audiences have become desensitized to seeing sexual acts depicted. Moreover, his script doesn’t call for the sex to be shown; a blackout occurs just as the sexual act in each scene begins, and a brief ticking clock sound cue takes us to the aftermath. This cast nevertheless puts high-charged sexual tension and evocativeness into their performances, which helps propel ten scenes that, while connected by repeating characters, doesn’t have any cumulative arc.
At the play’s thematic heart, characters break class, age, and marital boundaries in order to achieve an intimate connection with another. While the mores of interclass coupling and such have softened in the past century-plus, the urgency to seek out this connection is perhaps stronger than ever. With the artificial closeness that the digital age brings us, the need for genuine intimacy becomes that much stronger. Many of the scenes have one character asking “do you love me?” or “how many others have you been with?” In each instance, the question is evaded, preserving the illusion that the connection the two of them have is unique. Obviously, since the character is sleeping with someone else in either the preceding or subsequent scene, it is not.
The gender roles in La Ronde appear archaic by today’s standards. The scenes with Laura Sturm as The Actress stand out, as hers is the only female character who consistently wields power over her mate. The other female characters are only afforded brief moments of strength before succumbing to often clumsy advances by their male scene partners. Chris Lysy’s ability to find humor in the role of Husband stands out among a cast more concerned with hitting emotional notes.
The Count (Vincent P. Mahler) closes the play by suddenly breaking the fourth wall and dropping some philosophy on the audience. He tells us that there’s no such thing as love or happiness, which apparently explains why these characters never stop searching for those things in another bed. This device is too blunt and unnecessary when the previous hundred minutes of theater speaks for itself.
Ultimately, La Ronde runs a bit long for a show that doesn’t do much to develop plot or characters, instead repeating a scenic formula to develop a theme. But the themes presented are worth considering and the attractive ensemble will keep you engaged with their erotic interplay.
Rating: ★★½
La Ronde continues through April 15th at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont (map), with performances Thursdays at 8pm, Saturdays at 7pm, Sundays 5pm. Tickets are $20-$28, and are available by phone (773-327-5252) or online at Vendini.com (check for half-price tickets at Goldstar.com). More information at Stage773.com. (Running time: 1 hour 45 minutes, no intermission)
 
 
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Photos by Brian Work
artists
cast
Dan Planz (Soldier), Lauren Bourke (Whore), Megan Keathley (Maid), Brandon Galatz (Young Gentleman), Stacie Barra (Young Wife), Chris Lysy (Husband), Elise Spoerlein (Young Miss), Carl Lindberg (Poet), Laura Sturm (Actress), Vincent P. Mahler (Count)
behind the scenes
Tim Curtis (director); Katie Johnson-Smith (production manager); Emily Clarbourne (technical director); Claire Chrzan (lighting); Laura Wilson (costumes); Dave Ferguson (set design); Nicholas Kelm (sound design); Danni Parpan (props); Winter Davis (stage manager), Brian Work Photography (photos)
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