Review: Einstein’s Gift (Genesis Theatricals)

Einstein's Gift

Fascinating story falls flat

Review by Lauren Whalen

Albert Einstein is a well-known, renowned figure in science and pop culture. His friend and contemporary, Fritz Haber, is not. Einstein's Gift contrasts the two men from Haber's perspective, and while the two men's commitment to their respective scientific fields is the same, their differences are sharp and vast. In the end, it is these differences that alienate them, from society and each other, but only one is remembered worldwide. Sadly, Verne Thiessen's play turns a fascinating true story into a dull, flat hour and 45 minutes that feels more like an AP History project than a fully-fledged production. Elayne LeTraunik's direction does nothing to draw out the actors, several of whom are miscast.

Haber (Chris Saunders) and Einstein (Guy F. Wicke) first meet on a German university campus, and almost immediately find both companionship and dissonance in one another. Einstein is a pacifist and proud Jew who eschews fancy lab equipment and spends his spare time playing the viola, while Haber is loyal to Germany, even renouncing his Jewish faith and getting baptized Christian in order to get ahead professionally. Einstein views science as a means to a positive end, whereas Haber uses his intelligence and skill to assist the German government in World War I. When a second world war looms and Germany becomes increasingly militaristic, Einstein and Haber find their friendship at a crossroads.

The story of Fritz Haber is an intriguing one, replete with loud declarations, two very different wives, and a rather quiet, sad end. It's unfortunate that Thiessen didn't write a better play about him. Einstein's Gift is a series of dragging scenes, most of which end in Haber yelling about something, and punctuated by cliché devices, including reading of letters or stating the year of the scene about to take place. (In some ways, though, the latter is a nice tracking device for the audience: despite the play spanning 30-plus years, no one appears to age or grow in any way.) Only Einstein's narration is even somewhat coherent, but that's more because of Wicke's lovely, understated performance of the great genius than Thiessen's interpretation of him. LeTraunik's staging doesn't assist in adding coherence to the script , and the actor's interpretations seem to be lacking: for example, Vered Hankin (who plays Haber's brilliant but misunderstood first wife, Clara) has a beautiful speaking voice and glowing presence, but her over-the-top performance isn't reined in at all.

Einstein's Gift 's production values aren't any better than its writing and direction. Harrison Ornelas' set design attempts abstract symbolism but resembles cardboard and broken plastic, and Paula Kenar's costumes are some of the worst I've ever seen in Chicago theater. Not only are the clothes bland and period-inappropriate, but many of them also don't fit. The only other actor of note besides Wicke is James McGuire, who plays two different German military men. McGuire's excellent diction and stiff mannerisms are a perfect fit for the strict, then threatening, characters.

I wish Einstein's Gift had succeeded in telling Haber's story, one that's not well-known here in the United States. Even those with the best intentions can find themselves corrupted, as we find out Haber to have been. Unfortunately, the only thing memorable about Einstein's Gift is Wicke's and McGuire's performances.

Einstein's Gift continues through August 28th at Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport (map), with performances Thursdays-Saturdays at 7:30pm, Sundays 3pm. Tickets are $30, and are available by phone (773-935-6875) or online through OvationTix.com (check for half-price tickets at Goldstar.com ). More information at GenesisTheatricals.com. (Running time: 1 hour 45 minutes, includes an intermission)

Photos by Ron Goldman

(Einstein), Chris Saunders (Fritz Haber), Vered Hankin (Clara Haber), Nicholas Hodge (Otto), Glenn Garrabrant (Deacon), James McGuire (Col. Peterson, Minister Rust), Darryn Glass (General Deimling, Actor B), Becky Lang (Charlotta "Lotta" Nathan)

behind the scenes

Elayne LeTraunik (director), Patrick J. Murphy III (assistant director, stage manager), Brian LeTraunik (fight director), Harrison Ornelas (set design, props design), JJ Porterfield (sound design), Jeremy Hollis (lighting design), Paula Kenar (costume design), Ron Goldman (photos)

Tags: 16-0803, Albert Einstein, Athenaeum Theatre, Becky Lang, Brian LeTraunik, Chicago Theater, Chris Saunders, Darryn Glass, Elayne LeTraunik, Fritz Haber, Genesis Theatrical Productions, Genesis Theatricals, Glenn Garrabrant, Guy F. Wicke, Harrison Ornelas, James McGuire, Jeremy Hollis, JJ Porterfield, Lauren Whalen, Nicholas Hodge, Patrick J. Murphy III, Paula Kenar, post, Ron Goldman, Vered Hankin, Verne Thiessen

Category: 2016 Reviews, Athenauem, Genesis Theatrical Productions, Lauren Whalen