Reviewed by Tony Annicone
Gamm Theatre’s first show of their 34th season in their new theatre in Warwick is “Night of the Iguana” by Tennessee Williams which is based on his 1946 short story. He later developed it into a three act play. It is the darkly tragicomic 1961 show about humanity’s difficulty in hanging onto love, faith and grace, set on the brink of World War II when these things were sorely lacking which sounds a lot like things these days, too. The show is set in 1940 at a run down Costa Verde Hotel on the west coast of Mexico where the recently widowed Maxine Faulks sees a chance to hang onto her life and trade when an old pal from Texas visits her.
Unfortunately the Reverend Shannon has been defrocked and can’t offer her help. He has been reduced to become a tour guide while under investigation for misbehavior with an underage girl, Charlotte, whom is with the party on his tour bus and the group of tourists are suffering from the heat and dysentery. Shannon was also defrocked for preaching blasphemy.Two German guests staying here are eagerly waiting for updates on the Nazi blitz of Britain on the radio and help add needed levity to this dark play. This hotel and the German guests are based on happenings in Williams’ own life according to his memoirs. A calming influence occurs with the arrival of Hannah Jelkes and her ageing poet grandfather. His manic behavior is eased by her serene behavior. Director Fred Sullivan Jr. obtains stunning and multilayered performances from his talented cast. It is very thought provoking show as it deals with loneliness, compassion and guilt. Unfortunately Williams is very verbose in this show with a very long first act while the second act flows along much better until it reaches its tragic and poignant conclusion. The first act is also very repetitive which makes it seem longer than it is. This is one of his later shows and is no “Glass Menagerie”, “Streetcar Named Desire” nor “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” which are powerful and riveting masterpieces.
Leading the cast is Tony Estrella. He does a marvelous job in this role of the tortured minister, who is torn up over his guilt and his inner demons while striving to do good. Shannon is on verge of an emotional collapse and Tony displays the depth of the character descending into a breakdown poignantly and with great angst. He also displays wit while struggling with these deeper, darker emotional upheaval. The lustful, Maxine who hadn’t had sex with her husband for ten years is wonderfully played by Deb Martin. She brings life to her scenes with Shannon to try to bring him out of his funk while flirting with him as an old friend who wants to have a deeper relationship with him.
Jeanine Kane plays Hannah, the middle-aged spinster artist excellently while bringing a calm, serene and almost spiritual acceptance to her lot in life. Williams’ uses Hannah as a contrasting presence to Shannon’s uptightness during their scenes. Her argument scene with Deb crackles with electricity. Jeanine is reminiscent of a young Polly Bergen. Sam Babbitt is brilliant as Nono, who wants to write one last poem in his life. He captures the essence of this character perfectly while winning the hearts of the audience and tugging on your heartstrings along the way. Michelle Walker is very scary as Miss Fellows who guards Charlotte with an iron will of determination and steely demeanor. She commands the stage as this powerhouse of a woman and brings the show to life on every one of her entrances. Brava! Maria Day and Brandon Whitehead also supply comic relief as the Germans. Kudos to all cast members on their debut performance in GAMM’s new home in Warwick. So be sure to catch “Night of the Iguana” at GAMM Theatre to witness a not often performed Williams show. A word of praise to set designer Patrick Lynch on his two story ramshackle hotel set called Costa Verde with a lot of greenery in it.
NIGHT OF THE IGUANA ( 11 October to 4 November)
GAMM Theatre, 1245 Jefferson Blvd, Warwick, RI
1(401)723-4266 or www.gammtheatre.org
