Review: 'Usher'
Famous Poe tale gets creative adaptation at Planet Ant Theatre
A first-time playwright who chooses to adapt a well-known tale by a storyteller long celebrated for creating powerful images in the minds of his readers is either nuts or gutsy.
John Sousanis, I initially thought, was crazy Рespecially after re-reading Edgar Allen Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher" for the first time in nearly three decades. Only a masochist Рor na•ve newbie Рwould willingly choose to adapt the work of an undisputed master of his medium Рand invite the inevitable comparisons that would surely follow.
So it was with some curiosity – mixed with an equal amount of trepidation – that I attended the opening night performance of "Usher" last Friday night at Hamtramck's Planet Ant Theatre. Sure, Sousanis knows his way around the theater – after all, he spent seven years reviewing plays for the Oakland Press – but writing ABOUT plays does not automatically mean a person has the skills to WRITE them.
It didn't take long, however, to discover that not only is Sousanis a gutsy guy, he's also a very engaging playwright!
What's more, he's even a pretty good director, too!
In his program notes, Sousanis recalls that it wasn't the details of Poe's story that have stayed with him since high school, but its mood and atmosphere. There's a very good reason for that!
For in his short story, Poe paints vivid images of the house and its surroundings to draw his readers into the Usher's dreary world. Much detail is also given to the thoughts and observations of the narrator. Yet little is revealed about its characters. Only Roderick is adequately explored; the narrator and Madelyn seem to exist simply as utility players to move the story along.
In "Usher," however, Sousanis fleshes out Poe's creation by crafting complex characters, each of which has a "raison d'tre"; he probes their relationships Рpast and present Рand analyzes their motivations. In short, he doesn't leave the audience asking, "Why didn't they just leave the house"; instead, he helps us understand why Poe's story reached its inevitable conclusion.
Of equal importance, he sheds light on the double meaning of Poe's original title.
Roderick Usher, the focus of Poe's story, has summoned a childhood friend to the ancient home he shares with his twin, Madelyn. The siblings are the last of their lineage, and each is suffering from an affliction: Roderick has an "acuteness of the senses," with little tolerance for light, taste or loud sounds; Madelyn has become withdrawn, poisoned by her own blood.
The Visitor was summoned, Roderick explains, to "help alleviate my misery." So the two spend time reminiscing and telling each other stories.
What The Visitor discovers, however, are twins who couldn't be more opposite, yet so totally united in spirit. They are inexplicably intertwined; when one dies, so will the other.
And with them, their long-respected family will disappear forever.
In Sousanis' version, not only were The Visitor and Roderick childhood friends, so, too, were The Visitor and Madelyn. However, a whisper Roderick observed between them the last time the three were together has nagged him for decades. And a rekindling of their friendship – or romance? – has aggravated him further.
Why that is, Sousanis wisely leaves to our imagination. Only hints are dropped; the secret is ours to decipher.
Tackling "Usher" as his first directorial effort makes sense – in a "Am I insane or what?" kind of way. But not only did it give Sousanis complete control over the project, it also allowed him to make sure it was his vision that hit the stage. (It probably kept him awake at night sweating bullets, too!)
What Poe painted with the printed word, Sousanis and the Ant's technical team created with wood, cloth and moody lighting. And fine performances by Darrell Glasgow, Patrick Loos and Shannon Camara Sanville helped retain the story's Gothic flavor.
Just one comment, however: I loved the creativity displayed by set designer Eric W. Maher who built Madelyn's lighted crypt into the floor of the raised stage. However, I missed whatever "moment" took place after her internment when the two gentlemen seated in front of me leaned forward to get a better view, beefy shoulders and heads now side-by-side, and totally blocked my view. And I suspect the people behind me suffered the same fate.
"Usher" Presented Thursday through Sunday at Planet Ant Theatre, 2357 Caniff, Hamtramck, through April 10. Tickets: $10 – $15. 313-365-4948. http://www.planetant.com.
The Bottom Line: It's fun to see a local theater take chances and give new and talented voices an opportunity to be heard!
Tidbits: Theater News from Around Town
IF has new ensemble member; Hypnotist at Improv Inferno
ITEM: Markitwia Jackson has become the newest member of Icarus Falling ensemble. He joins following nomination and selection by the ensemble.
Jackson is an alumnus of the University of Michigan theatre program. He has appeared throughout the mid-Michigan area in a wide array of roles ranging from a baseball player in the Negro leagues to a rabbi pop star. He first worked with Icarus Falling on "Negatives", which was performed at the Bailiwick Directors Festival in Chicago, IL. He then joined IF to play a tenderhearted felon in Nicky Silver's "Raised in Captivity". Most recently he pulled double duty as the Audience and Rabbi Prince in Icarus Falling's "Cure for the Valentine's Hangover."
"We're very excited to add Markitwia to the ensemble," comments Icarus Falling Artistic Director, Jeff Croff. "His commitment and passion elevate every performance and make for some truly memorable characters."
Jackson will next appear as a heroine addicted rock star in the world premiere of "Lake of Fire" by Graham Farrow scheduled for May 13, 14, 20 & 21.
ITEM: Improv Inferno, Ann Arbor's Hotspot for Comedy, is proud to present three-time national award winning Comedy Hypnotist Kevin Lepine for two shows only, Friday March 25 and Saturday March 26 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 and reservations can be made at 734-214-7080.
As a Certified Hypnotherapist Lepine has helped people quit smoking, lose weight and live happier lives. As a comedy hypnotist he delivers "the funniest show in the comedy scene"(Variety News).
Improv Inferno is located at 309 S. Main Street, Ann Arbor. For reservations or information call 734-214-7080 or visit the website,http://www.improvinferno.com.
