Reviewed by Judy Richter
"Compulsion" is the play's title, but
it could just as easily be called "Obsession" or
"Disintegration" as it relates a Jewish writer's years-long effort to
get his adaptation of "The Diary of Anne Frank" onto the stage. Berkeley
Repertory Theatre is
presenting the world premiere of Rinne Groff''s fascinating drama along with The
Public Theater and
Yale Repertory Theatre. The two-act play has already been staged by Yale Rep. In February
it will move to The Public in New York.
The
play is a semi-fictional account of real-life writer Meyer Levin's fascination with the diary
kept by a young Jewish girl hiding with her family and others in Amsterdam
during World War II. However, Groff's protagonist is called Sid Silver (Mandy
Patinkin).
Likewise, the names of people he encounters in the play are changed, but real
names are used for people who are mentioned but who don't appear. Hence we hear
of Otto Frank,
Anne's father, who first brought the diary to world's attention; and producer Cheryl
Crawford, who
was interested in Silver/Levin's adaptation. The protagonist dislikes
playwright/author Lillian Hellman so much that he becomes paranoid about her, making wild
accusations such as saying she was stealing letters he had sent to another
office in her building. He also decries efforts to make the story less Jewish.
But
that's later in the play, when his mental state has deteriorated so much that
he loses all of his friends, even his loyal wife (Hannah Cabell). Earlier we see flashes of
prickliness and temper that become more frequent and frenzied. As directed by Oskar
Eustis, Patinkin
skillfully navigates his character's emotional journey in a tour de force
performance.
Besides
Patinkin and Cabell, who plays all of the female characters, the only other
member of the cast is Matte Osian, who plays all of the other male characters. Both of
them skillfully define their various characters. Both also give voice to the
puppets representing Anne Frank; Peter Van Pels, the teenager whose family hid out with Anne's;
and others.
Use
of the puppets is quite effective in such ways as voicing sections of the diary
and imagined dialogue between Anne and the Silvers. Hats off to the puppeteers
-- Emily DeCola, Daniel Fay and Eric Wright -- as well as puppet designer and puppetry
supervisor Matt Acheson. Video and projections designed by Jeff Sugg also enhance the production. The
relatively simple, flexible set is by Eugene Lee with lighting by Michael
Chybowski,
costumes by Susan Hilferty and sound by Darron L West.
Berkeley
Rep has an enviable record of success in transferring shows to New York.
"Compulsion" is highly likely to enhance that record.
For More Information
Return to Home Page