Cold Productions and The Storm Theatre
In association with
Grendelmouse & Co.
And
Chance Michaels
Presents
ANNA CHRISTIE
By EUGENE O’NEILL
Based on the September 6 through 28, 2002 run at The Storm Theatre
Directed by MARY CATHERINE BURKE
Set Design ASAKI ODA
Lighting Design KJ HARDY
Costume Design KIRCHE LEIGH ZEILE
Sound Design RYAN TILKE
Stage Manager LINDSEY COLE
Cast
(in order of appearance )
"Johnny-the-Priest"........................................Barry J. Hirsch
Longshoreman #1...............................................Ben Upham
Longshoreman #2................................….......Duncan Nutter
The Postman......................................................Craig Rising
Larry......................................................................Bill Dealy
Chris Christopherson...........................................Dale Fuller
Marthy Owen............................................Rebecca Hoodwin
Anna Christopherson....................................Caroline Strong
Mat Burke......................................................William Peden
Eugene O’Neill’s ANNA CHRISTIE has arrived on the New York shores once again, and will be spending a few plucky weeks at The Studio Theatre on 46 St. A dame in the most theatrical sense, O’Neill’s troubled Anna Christopherson is both a character beyond time and of her times.
Anna is at once universal and specific. She is a type, but she is complex. She is a caricature, a child, a wanton woman and a lost little girl. She is many things, but is she real? In this production, she is a hard character to get a hold of. Caroline Strong plays her almost as a borderline personality. She is hot and hot-tempered, or she’s a cold cookie. There is very little middle-ground, probably by design, but the transitions do not always feel natural.
That said, the production as a whole moves along steadily and smoothly. The ensemble cast play their roles with vigor and enthusiasm, and their respect for the work shows. Dale Fuller is appropriately pathetic as Anna’s sea-wary father, Chris, and William Peden full of the self-aggrandizing bravado the role of Mat calls for.
Overall, this production of ANNA CHRISTIE is respectable. If you’ve never seen it staged, this is a great opportunity to experience Eugene O’Neill in living motion.
- Kessa De Santis -