Interludes

THE HANGOVER REPORT – In Simon Stone’s new adaptation, Rose Byrne is a MEDEA for our time, co-starring a vulnerable Bobby Cannavele

• By drediman
• February 2, 2020
• No Comments

Rose Byrne and Bobby Cannavale in Simon Stone’s new adaptation of “Medea” at the Harvey Theater at BAM Strong. Photo by Richard Termine.

Last night at the Harvey Theater at BAM Strong, I caught Simon Stone’s loose adaptation of Medea. Mr. Stone is emerging as one of the can’t miss auteurs of the theater world (his updating of Yerma two years ago at the Park Avenue Armory was a can’t-miss, sold-out sensation), and his current take on Euripides’ play about the tragic consequences arising from a passionate woman’s desperate attempt to be taken heed of has worked itself up to be one of the most anticipated theatrical events of the winter months. Like Noah Baumbach’s Oscar-nominated film Marriage Story, Mr. Stone’s Medea seems intent on fairly examining the idea of societal partnership in contemporary terms, but with a far different outcome.

First and foremost, Mr. Stone’s minimalist Medea is a stylish experience, a production that’s visually striking for its severe austerity and skillful incorporation of video work, a tool frequently used by Ivo van Hove, a fellow (red hot) auteur. In particular, I thought the tragic culmination of the story was treated with artful tact. Textually, his updating is a convincing, efficiently succinct (I really liked the liberal utilization of theatrical cross-cutting, a technique that reminds me of director John Doyle’s work) re-assessment of the Greek tragedy. Although the resulting concoction loses just a little bit of the visceral punch of the underlying play, the modifications are all well-considered and sleekly ingrains the tragic tale in today’s world.

There’s considerable star power involved in the project. In the title role, film and television star Rose Byrne gives us the expected, imminently identifiable girl-next-door persona. This familiarity only makes the (newly) pill-popping character’s steely, arguably deranged determination that much more terrifying as the play unfolds. As her ex-husband, Bobby Cannavale – Ms. Byrne’s real-life partner and also a marquee name – makes for a worthy opponent. His tough but vulnerable portrayal is psychologically astute, which is especially impressive given his less showy role. Of the supporting players, veteran actor Dylan Baker is unsurprisingly effective, his character registering as a new capitalistic force that the ex-lovers now must grapple with.

RECOMMENDED

MEDEA
Off-Broadway, Play
BAM Strong / Harvey Theater
1 hour, 20 minutes (without an intermission)
Through March 8