La MaMa E.T.C.
74A E 4th St
212.475.7710
This event has passed.
-
Ritter, Dene, Voss
- When
-
Sep 23, 2010 – Oct 10, 2010
Thursdays–Saturdays (7:30pm)
Sundays (2:30pm)
- Where
-
- Price
-
$18, $13 Students
“Playwright and novelist Thomas Bernhard (1931-1989) was one of the most controversial literary figures of post-war Austria. He had a penchant for diatribes against Austrian culture and the crippling effects of its insularity, which encouraged artists to bend to state interests in exchange for prizes and subsidies rather than question its authority with artistic vision and vigor. One Little Goat brings the world premiere of the English-language production of this play to the stage and gives life to Bernhard's singular linguistic style, his morbid, caustic humor and his trenchant satire. Director Adam Seelig successfully pits the artistic character against the stagnancy of Austrian culture. The two sisters, Ritter and Dene, are wealthy actresses who are afforded the opportunity to act at their will due to more than just their talent. And Ludwig, the brother, based on philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein, brings a sense of energy and threat to the musty mansion. While Maev Beaty and Shannon Perrault inhabit the roles of Ritter and Dene with competent wit, Jordan Pettle as Ludwig steals the show with his spot-on delivery of Bernhard's language. Not only does Pettle exhibit a knack for word-play, but he has a firm handle of the complexity of Bernhard's language with its double entendres, its social commentary and its urgency, which conveys Bernhard's effort to pique an apathetic audience. Fans of Bernhard, and those not familiar with his work alike, will be rewarded by the richness of Bernhard's language and message, which is given a strong and memorable voice in this production. And did we mention we will never look at cream puffs with quite the same innocence? Sorry. You'll just have to see it to get our meaning.
“ ”
Rozalia Jovanovic, Flavorpill
In Ritter, Dene, Voss (named for the three actors who premiered the original 1986 production in German), Thomas Bernhard explores sexual repression and sibling rivalry with characteristic tenacity and wit. The play involves two sisters – both actresses – and their attempts at reintegrating their volatile brother into their home. The brother, a tormented genius (loosely based on last century’s great, idiosyncratic philosopher, Ludwig Wittgenstein), has just returned from a mental health institute, complicating the dynamics between the three siblings.
- La Mama E.T.C.
