‘Miss Julie’ at YSU focuses on man vs. woman, upper class vs. lower

By STEPHANIE OTTEY

YOUNGSTOWN — Dennis Henneman is known in the theater community as a director who likes a challenge. It’s no surprise, then, that he and the brave students and faculty of Youngstown State University took on “Miss Julie” this season.

The one-act play by August Strindberg doesn’t demand extreme set and props; the challenge lies in expressing strong themes. With a focus on the battles of man versus woman and upper class versus lower class, “Miss Julie” has a lot to say.

The story takes place in Sweden in the kitchen of Miss Julie’s manor. Scenic designer John Murphy has created a charming 19th-century kitchen. Murphy’s design holds only what is necessary.

Unfortunately, due to a large door that protrudes from one side of the set, a handful of attendees are unable to see all of the action necessary to completely grasp the show. Let this be a warning to arrive early to avoid these obstructed-view seats.

We first meet Christine, the manor’s cook, played by senior Dana Chauvin, and the count’s personal valet, Jean, played by junior Brandon Smith. Christine and Jean are engaged, and Christine is obviously looking forward to sharing the night’s festivities with Jean. They are interrupted by the demanding Miss Julie, played by senior Laura Young.

On this evening, Miss Julie’s father, the Count, is away, leaving Miss Julie alone with the servants for the celebration of Midsummer Eve. She is unnerved and emotional from a recent engagement that was called off and seeks an evening of fun and mischief. Miss Julie finds both when she flirts with her father’s valet, Jean.

Christine goes to bed, and things turn serious when Jean reciprocates Miss Julie’s flirting. Jean strives to become a count himself one day. Miss Julie wants to “climb down the ladder” and follow her heart to a life with Jean.

As their night together grows heated and much more complicated, Jean and Miss Julie struggle to find a respectable way out of the situation they have created. As they plot to run away together and start a new life, they begin to quarrel. The guilt and regret of what they have done brings them to a frenzy as the fight of man versus woman is brought to life. They manipulate each other until servant becomes master, master becomes obedient slave, and the sexes mock each other.

Young carries herself in a graceful manner that very well represents Miss Julie, described in the first lines of the script as wild, and although Young’s creation of Julie cannot necessarily be described as wild, she certainly touches on the confused, vulnerable side of the character.

Smith is clearly manipulative as Jean, although he seems just as confused and vulnerable as his counterpart.

The students perform their respective roles well enough to display Strindberg’s forward-thinking attitude, although there’s an all-around lack of conviction in the characters that leaves some potentially explosive moments completely flat.

A lot of listening is required to grasp the deep themes, but the mental stimulation is something that was unique to authors of Strindberg’s time. The content is absolutely timeless.

X“Miss Julie” will be presented at 7:30 p.m. today and April 3 and 4; and at 3 p.m. Sunday and April 5, at Spotlight Arena Theater in Bliss Hall on the YSU campus. Call (330) 941-3105 for tickets.