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Posted by lovesmyron on 7/25/2008, 6:09 am, in reply to " a "moving " Stephen Caffrey"
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http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/localnews/ci_9993209
Humorous 'Bach' hits all the right notes
STACEY VREEKEN - SENTINEL STAFF WRITER
Article Launched: 07/25/2008 01:32:28 AM PDT
Click photo to enlarge
Photo by R.R. Jones Stephen Caffrey, foreground, is Fasch and Sean Gorski plays The...
"Bach at Leipzig," one of four plays in repertory at Shakespeare Santa Cruz, is as creative as the fugue musical form it evokes. Made up of characters that are first set up as distinct, then later layered together in complex interplay, this play is not only a commentary on age-old themes of art, competition and politics, but also is laugh-out-loud funny.
The story line follows six men, all named either Johann or Georg, who scheme to become organ master of Leipzig's St. Thomas church and school in the early 1700s. Of course we know that Johann Sebastian Bach is chosen, but he is only referenced at the end and never appears on stage.
Instead the humor and insight come from those who are not chosen. Each character has his own weakness that eventually pulls him down, but also has a strength that comes out as well. It would be easy to imagine them all as electric guitarists vying for the right to play lead in the most famous rock band in the world.
The scene is set on the steps of the church, with little costume or set changes -- the actors carry it with timing and ability. Stephen Caffrey as Johann Friedrich Fasch and Larry Paulsen as Georg Balthasar Schott start the rondelay. Paulsen gets the uptight, religious and yet slightly uncreative persona of Schott exactly right, while Caffrey's eager opportunist verbally parries and thrusts and moves the play along.
Soon Allen Gilmore is scamming and charming as Georg Lenck and Drew Foster plays the womanizer Johann Martin Steindorff with delicacy, adding confusion and laughs. Paul Vincent O'Connor plays the foolish Georg Friedrich Kaufmann while familiar Mike Ryan extends his acting range as the insecure, always second Johann Christoph Graupner.
Lavish costumes by B. Modern and affected mannerisms define the characters from each other as parallels to modern culture of fame can't be missed. Each time Sean Gorski as the "Greatest Organist in Germany" strolls through, he gets a laugh without ever uttering a word.
While much of the play is delivered in soliloquy as letters to far-away loved ones, this is a great ensemble piece with each actor showing strong yet complementary talents. Director Art Manke keeps the pace moving, and with verbiage flying by, you have to pay attention to get such lines as "We Germans are not meant to experience pure feeling. This is not Italy."
As Act II begins, the reason for the previous mannerism becomes clear as the ensemble, in a mastery of staging and timing, mimes the first act as Caffrey defines a fugue in his soliloquy/letter. The interplay between voice and action adds chuckles and a clear view of the structure of the play, revealed only in retrospect.
As the plot thickens, the running jokes increase and serious questions are raised such as the price of ambition, the need to have talent recognized, competition between rivals and the healing power of music.
By the time spanky swordplay commences, the resonance with modern times is all too clear and lines are delivered with the rat-tat-tat speed of an episode of "The Wire." "Bach at Leipzig" lends itself to repeat viewings, just to get all the jokes you missed the first time around. It's a stellar set piece in the first season of new SSC artistic director Marco Barricelli. Don't miss it.
Contact Stacey Vreeken at svreeken@santacruzsentinel.com.
If You Go
WHAT: Itamar Moses's 'Bach at Leipzig,' presented Shakespeare Santa Cruz, directed by Art Manke.
WHEN: Through Aug 31, times and days vary.
WHERE: Theatre Arts Mainstage, UC Santa Cruz.
COST: $40 gold circle, $32 section A, $25 section B, $29 senior, student, UCSC staff, $12 youth with adult Sunday evening through Friday; $44 gold circle, $39 section A, $32 section B, $12 youth with adult Saturdays and Sunday matinees.
DETAILS: 459-2159 or www.shakespearesantacuz.org.
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