Review: Betrayal (Raven Theatre)

Review by Lauren Whalen

The PR spin on Raven Theatre's production of Betrayal is telling the story from the woman's perspective. At first I wasn't sure what this meant (was Harold Pinter's classic script being rewritten and repurposed), but director Lauren Shouseclarifies: since its world premiere, the best-known productions of have been directed by men. Now, Shouse and her mostly-female creative team seek to give the woman, Emma, her due. I hadn't seen since college - the last Chicago production was nearly a decade ago - but I found Shouse's mission statement a respectful, successful one. This is intelligent, witty and thought-provoking, with a bravura lead performance from Raven Theatre veteran Abigail Boucher.

Betrayal begins with Emma (Boucher) meeting Jerry (Sam Guinan-Nyhart) for a drink. The two haven't seen each other in years, though Jerry was once the best friend of Emma's husband Robert (Keith Neagle). Emma reveals that she and Robert are separating, and she still has feelings for Jerry, with whom she had a nine-year affair. From there, the play hops around in time, revealing the consequences of this affair (like Emma, Jerry is also married with children). Eventually, the two purchase a flat for their afternoon assignations, but soon the relationship progresses beyond sunshine and roses and becomes increasingly complex. What if the respective spouses find out? What if the ramifications are even more long-term?

Raven Theatre often goes old-school with its productions, such as last year's by Tennessee Williams, also featuring Boucher. isn't a new play, yet still feels modern and relevant. People have been having affairs since the beginning of time, and will continue to do so until the apocalypse. Non-monogamy is more on the table now than it was thirty years ago, but that also requires consent and communication from all parties. If you're deliberately keeping someone in the dark, the relationship isn't non-monogamous, it's an affair. Even cheating isn't cut-and-dried, though, and Pinter deftly illustrates the gray areas, giving both Emma and Jerry believable arcs and flaws. Robert is a bit less well-rounded: his anger and suspicion in most scenes are disappointingly one-note. I blame this on a combination of Pinter's writing, Shouse's direction and Neagle's performance (the latter comes off less experienced than the other two actors).

This Betrayal is well worth watching for Emma and Jerry's nuanced and completely believable relationship. There's sexual attraction, sure, but also genuine love - both in and out of the affair's boundaries. Emma and Jerry are human beings who have made a choice they perhaps shouldn't have. Shouse guides the action with a sure hand and a pacing that's quick and dirty, but not frenetic. Boucher's Emma is intelligent and thoughtful, driven by her passions yet also very aware of her failings. As Jerry, Guinan-Nyhart is forever conflicted, equal parts empathetic and frustrating.

explores an affair from all angles: primal, emotional and intellectual. A of infidelity, gives both woman and man the respect they deserve, but never lionizes their less-than-perfect decisions. Pinter's play shows how close we all are to the edge at any given moment, and Shouse's direction, along with a terrific cast, emphasizes that in the matters of love, everyone is somewhat at fault.

continues through December 17th at Raven Theatre, 6157 N. Clark (map), with performances Thursdays & Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays 3:30pm & 8pm, Sundays 3:30pm. Tickets are $22-$46, and are available by phone (773-338-2177) or online through OvationTix.com (check for half-price tickets at Goldstar.com ). More information at RavenTheatre.com. (Running time: 75 minutes, no intermission)

Understudies: Peter Ash (Jerry/Robert/Waiter), Katherine Bourne (Emma)

behind the scenes

Lauren Shouse (director), Lauren Nigri (set design), Becca Jeffords (lighting design), Stephanie Cluggish (costume design), Kevin O'Donnell (sound design), Clara Wendland, Mary O'Dowd (properties design), Eileen Rozycki (scenic artist), Shannon Golden (stage manager), AJ Roy (asst. director), Leni Morales (asst. stage manager), Diane D. Fairchild, Marissa Geocaris (master electricians), Aram Monisoff (dialect coach), Dean La Prairie (photography)

Tags: 16-1070, Abigail Boucher, AJ Roy, Aram Monisoff, Becca Jeffords, Chicago Theater, Clara Wendland, Dean La Prairie, Diane D. Fairchild, Eileen Rozycki, Harold Pinter, Katherine Bourne, Keith Neagle, Kevin O'Donnell, Lauren Nigri, Lauren Shouse, Lauren Whalen, Leni Morales, Marissa Geocaris, Mary O'Dowd, Peter Ash, post, Raven Theatre, Richard Cotovsky, Sam Guinan-Nyhart, Shannon Golden, Stephanie Cluggish