It is appropriate that, in the midst of the local Shakespeare celebration, The American Century Theater is presenting a revival of the 1924 tragedy “Desire Under the Elms,” written by Eugene O’Neill, who was once regarded as this country’s answer to the Bard.
Unfortunately, as American Century’s Artistic Director Jack Marshall acknowledges in his program notes, productions of O’Neill’s plays have become increasingly rare. Chief among the reasons for this is that much of his work is deemed to be too long and depressing for contemporary audiences. Also, it doesn’t help that, although several of O’Neill’s plays have been filmed, there is only one great movie in the entire lot. (John Ford’s 1940 “The Long Voyage Home” is that exception.)
Which makes it all the more gratifying that the current production of “Desire Under the Elms,” directed by William Aitken (who has acted in several American Century shows), works so well. The fact that this is a rare O’Neill play that clocks in at just two hours doesn’t hurt, either.
One of O’Neill earliest attempts at creating an American equivalent to the ancient Greek tragedies, “Desire Under the Elms” concerns the Cabots, a farming family in mid-1800s New England dominated by stern, intolerant patriarch Ephraim (Kevin Adams). Twice a widower, Ephraim has decided to marry again, this time to young Abbie Putnam (Susan Marie Rhea), who consents mainly to escape her life of poverty.
Ephraim’s oldest sons, Simeon (John Geoffrion) and Peter (Colin Smith), react by leaving to hunt for gold in California. The youngest son, Eben (Parker Dixon), even more resentful, finds himself drawn into a love/hate relationship with Abbie that results in a child that Ephraim believes is his own. The tensions between the characters boil over in an act of homicide that seals their fates.
Under Aitken’s guidance, the cast all turn in fine acting jobs. Both Adams and Rhea make their roles believably three-dimensional, despite the unsympathetic aspects of their characters. Dixon makes a convincingly callow and distrustful Eben. Geoffrion and Smith are amusing as a kind of 19th Century version of Beavis and Butthead.
American Century’s superlative “Desire Under the Elms” proves that, dated or not, O’Neill’s work still has much to offer to future generations of playgoers.
If you go
» The American Century Theater’s production of “Desire Under the Elms” runs through Feb. 3.
Venue: The Gunston Arts Center’s Theater II, 2700 S. Lang St., Arlington
Performances: 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. Saturdays
Tickets: $23 to $29
More info: 703-553-8782 or www.americancentury.org
