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Casanova
By David Greig
Directed by Kimberly Senior
Produced by Collaboraction
At Chopin Theatre
1543 W. Division
Chicago, IL
Call 312-226-9633, tickets $25
Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 PM
Sundays at 7 PM
Running time 2 hrs 20 min with intermission
Through December 11
Casanova is a seductive look at pleasure seeking life style
Scottish playwright, David Greig has penned a modern take on the 18th Century Italian lover in which we meet the aging Casanova in contemporary times as an art collector who is accumulating relics of the 1,000 + women he has had sex with in a stunning art exhibit wherein each has a cabinet complete with photo and memorabilia.
Casanova is played by the middle aged Chicago favorite, Larry Neumann, Jr., who exudes enough charm to melt steel. Neumann woos the audience with his winning smile in a light comic verse where he defends Casanova’s life of sexual please explaining that his seductive powers are based on blunt honesty. He brags about the 1,000 women he has conquered and he boasts that he remembers the details of each encounter.
The play has sexual seductions and found remembrances by Casanova’s women who speaking glowing of his sexual prowess. As Casanova struggles to find the final woman---“The One”---he begins to doubt his own capacity to find true love. He meets the tough prudish Marie Louise (Kathleen Logelin) sent to escort back to Scotland for his exhibit. She sees him in action as he has sex in an airplane bathroom, a smoker’s waiting room among other unusual places. He conquers all, including Marie Louise. Neumann has the look that, together with his pauses, quickly entices his target. Neumann is quite believable here as he exudes the confidence that woman find irresistible. Neumann is terrific as Casanova.
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Sandra Delgado, in several roles, delivers outstanding work as both Casanova’s conquests and as Kate, the cabinet maker’s hire and love interest. Scott Kennedy, as the cabinet maker, bent on revenge against Casanova for seducing his wife delivered a juice (and comic) performance. Carolyn Hoerdemann was a hoot as Mrs. Tennant.
Casanova is a puzzling play that drags on in spots, is a tad wordy yet delivers a funny and poignant look at lives lived in the pursuit of pleasure. Woman speak highly of Casanova. Men admire his virility. The sexual scenes are done tastefully.
I like this show as it contains raw sexuality that goes from empty sex to the yearning for true love. This is a strange show that spends too much time on the sub-plot with the cabinet maker and has a weird ending. Some judicious cuts are need but the show delivers a workable mixture of fine performances and worldly ideas, that come together.
Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Chicago Stage Talk Radio Show
This show eligible for a C.S.T. Equity Theatre Award
November 3, 2005
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