REVIEW: ‘Frankenstein’ at Classic Stage Company
Photo: Frankenstein stars Stephanie Berry and Rob Morrison. Photo courtesy of Joan Marcus / Provided by press rep with permission.
NEW YORK — The Classic Stage Company’s new production of Frankenstein, revamped and minimized by Tristan Bernays, is a tour-de-force opportunity for its two acting stars — Stephanie Berry as the Creature and later Victor Frankenstein, and Rob Morrison as the “chorus” of supporting roles. Their performances are physically demanding, intricately woven and fully realized over the course of 80 minutes on the thrust stage of this New York City theater company.
Berry has the flashier of the two parts. Her Creature is a marvel of grunts, staggered walking and newfound humanity, though it’s obvious, much like in the original novel by Mary Shelley, this monster of scientific experimentation is never too far from a violent encounter. As it gains humanity, the Creature never loses its experimental monstrosity, begging the question whether someone (or something) can ever truly change.
This consideration about transformation is actually a theme that comes off powerfully in the drama, more so than the central idea behind Shelley’s words, which is the increasing ability of humans to take on the role of God. Some of this ethical debate is evident in the recitations and narration of Morrison, who plays several characters and provides musical accompaniment throughout the play.
The set, by Classic Stage’s artistic director John Doyle, is minimal, which perfectly matches Bernays’ dialogue and Timothy Douglas’ artful and appropriate staging. Although cinematic adaptations have expanded the tale and included many supporting roles, such as enraged townsfolk, at its heart, Frankenstein is a tale between two people. And that means making this horror-filled story a two-hander for the stage is entirely acceptable and laudable. Less is more with Shelley’s treatise on power and creation.
Berry, who recently appeared in For All the Women Who Thought They Were Mad and Gloria: A Life, is offering a commanding, career-high performance. She sinks her emotional teeth into her two respective roles, and it’s so clever to have the same actor portray both the creator and created. One is able to appreciate the poignancy and pain of the Creature’s plight, while also seeing the maniacal draw of a scientist whose ambition came at the expense of his reason. The fact that both are portrayed by the same actor offers further commentary on how both sides of this spectrum can exist within the same individual.
Morrison’s contributions are vast and perfectly in synch with Berry’s bifurcated portrayal. In many ways, he is the one tasked with keeping time throughout the performance and bringing the narrative to its inevitable, but still shocking, finale.
Classic Stage’s production, which runs in repertory with a new adaptation of Dracula, is small in scope, but gargantuan in impact.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Frankenstein, by Tristan Bernays and based on the novel by Mary Shelley, features Stephanie Berry and Rob Morrison. Directed by Timothy Douglas. Running time: 80 minutes. Running through March 8 at the Classic Stage Company in New York City. Click here for more information and tickets.
