Predictability is a problem for playwright Richard Greenberg. In “The Violet Hour,” playing at 1st Stage in McLean, he attacks the predictability of popular theater, of relationships, of parents and of careers. At the same time he deals with issues of choice, language, self-destruction and mankind’s desire to control its destiny. Amazingly, “The Violet Hour” remains a whimsical comedy.
The play tells the story of a would-be publisher, John Pace Seavering (David Winkler), who begins his career in 1919 by taking a little money from his father. He thus can afford to publish only one book: Will it be the novel of his friend Denis McCleary (Daniel Chestnut) or the autobiography of his lover, the chanteuse Jessie Brewster (Natalie Tucker)?
Greenberg cranks up the humor with some anachronistic sci-fi when a literary time-machine arrives, spewing out pages and pages of as-yet unpublished books, revealing things that will happen in the future. Thus Greenberg gets to comment on the metamorphosis of everything from lifestyles to words throughout the twentieth century.
Director Mark Krikstan has assembled a strong cast for “The Violet Hour.”
Winkler neatly captures the complicated Seavering, a sensitive man, desperately in love with the commanding Brewster. Seavering’s high-strung, grumbling assistant, Gidger, who becomes increasingly loony as the machine takes over his employer’s office, is brilliantly captured by the talented Lucas Beck.
Chestnut is effective as the penniless Denis, hopelessly in love with the strange Rosamund Plinth (Jessica Aimone). Aimone and Tucker create a striking contrast between two kinds of women: the helpless and the unapproachable. Cheryl Patton Wu’s costumes help set the period, with well-cut suits for the men, and satins, velvets and marvelously ornamental hats for the women.
The second act of “The Violet Hour” becomes a murky conglomeration of reality and possibility, but it’s not the production’s fault: Greenberg packs far too much obscure meditation into the act. This is only 1st Stage’s second show, but its ability to pull off the simultaneous comedy and seriousness of “The Violet Hour” is a fine testament to the company’s and Krikstan’s abilities.
If you go
“The Violet Hour”
Where: 1st Stage, 1524 Springhill Road, McLean
When: 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday; 4 p.m. Saturday; through Dec. 14
Info: $15 to $25; 800-838-3006; 202-306-5803; www.1ststagespringhill.org
