43
‘Finale’ is engrossing drama
By stephanie ottey
If all of my high-school American history lessons would have been as engrossing as the Victorian Players’ production of “Finale,” I might have gotten higher grades. The show has instilled in me a desire to re-study American history as well as proved that the Victorian Players haven’t lost their touch.
Although I can’t say for certain that history buffs will find the telling accurate, Ira David Wood III’s “Finale” is a fascinating play that dives into the life and legend of John Wilkes Booth.
A unique selection, until now the play has been staged only in North Carolina. That’s unfortunate, considering how finely Wood tells the story.
Wood unveils the multi-faceted persona of John Wilkes Booth with clever metaphors, light foreshadowing and double- entendres that give viewers, actors and readers plenty to chew on. He chooses to tell the story of J.W. through the eyes of his brother, Edwin, revealing a family history that possibly encouraged his crime.
The tale is told as Edwin Booth sits in the basement of his tired, old theater, pondering a trunk that belonged to his father and then to his assassin brother. He is haunted by memories, and clings to them with resentment.
Brady Flamino captures Edwin’s quiet internal struggle well. With his jaw firmly set, Flamino resembles Edwin Booth as he is recorded in pictures. He holds the energy of pent-up anger that drives his performance.
Likewise, Jim Canacci fleshes out John Wilkes Booth in an eerily sympathetic way. He allows John’s theatrical flare to permeate his own performance, making sure to savor every word of his telling of the killing; a stand-out in Canacci’s history of performances.
Glenn Stevens takes effective command of his role as the boys’ father. As the senior, alcoholic actor Junius, Stevens’ condescending air strengthens the performances of his castmates, showcasing a crucial connection on stage.
Rosalyn Blystone is lovely Mary Devlin, Barbara Malizia is a perfectly concerned Mary Ann Booth, and Regina Olszewski Reynolds is fetching as sister, Asia.
Hunter Thomas and Tom O’Donnell provide cameos. Nobody can deny that O’Donnell is the best possible representative for President Abraham Lincoln.
J. E. Ballantyne does well as a director in guiding the characters to life, but he also made the right call in selecting actors who physically represent their historical counterparts well.
Positive feelings for this production come before the show is even started. Ballantyne’s ambitious set design transforms the Victorian’s stage. We see a multilevel set that is more visually stimulating than usual Victorian sets, and it effectively conveys the air of a theater basement.
The set creates new opportunities visually, and Ellen Licitra has taken advantage of it in her lighting design. She offers the most intricately designed light scheme to be seen at the Vic.
“Finale” is absolutely the best show to be seen at the Victorian since “The Odd Couple.”
“Finale” runs through Feb. 24. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays. For more information, call 330-746-5455.