Date: Fri 14-Aug-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: DONNAM

Quick Words:

Yale-Cabaret-Against-Grain

Full Text:

ENJOY

YALE GOES "AGAINST THE GRAIN," & FINDS SUCCESS FOR SEASON-ENDER

B Y J UNE A PRIL

NEW HAVEN - Of all the Yale Summer Cabaret presentations, the final

production, Against the Grain , was the most successful and one of the most

interesting. Having played through August 8, the world premier had an

interesting rhythmic quality that carried through and worked well with the

music.

More technically sophisticated that previous shows this season, visuals of

dream sequences were simultaneously engaging and distracting. It was rather

like the three-ring circus: depending on the seating, one didn't quite know

where to focus. The talented musical director Sean McClowry was a major

component in helping to pull the production together.

The story is of a disenchanted wealthy bachelor, whose childhood was devoid of

love. As an adult he creates his own world, living with "aromatherapy

memories" and his idealized - mechanical - woman. He seeks to make a world of

his own that fulfills his desires. Yale School of Drama graduate James Krouse

adapted the story for the stage from the novel by J.K. Huysmans.

Starring as Jean Des Esseintes, actor Robert Devaney did an admirable job with

this demanding role. Even in his "state of rest," his body assumed a creative

and challenging position. The range of vocal and physical nuances is vast, and

Mr Devaney addresses the demands with fervor and an appropriate grace.

Entering her second year in the Drama School, Alicia Roper has improved her

acting skills by working with Summer Cabaret. Playing four different roles

(servant, ventriloquist, mechanical woman and a boy), she excelled in the last

and did rather well, overall, with the other characterizations.

Ms Roper has a pleasant singing voice (as experienced in the YSC production,

The Vampire ), but she still has to master speaking in the lower ranges of her

voice. When her voice pitches upward, the audience still finds it quite

grating.

Kate Howard did a very fine job with the sets. She used an outline-effect that

added to the "self-created" world look of the Duc de Floressas Jean Des

Esseintes. The lighting was right on cue, and judiciously designed by Robert

Perry.

Artistic director David Kennedy revealed another side of his abilities in the

role of costume designer. Albeit, the heat of the lights, in conjunction with

the weight and color of the costume, caused Mr Devaney to suffer excessive

perspiration. If he wanted to lose a few pounds, he surely succeeded.