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Emma
By Howard Zinn
Produced by The Trap Door Theatre
1655 W. Cortland Ave.
Chicago, IL
Tickets: 773--384-0494. $20 (2 for 1 Thursdays, no show Thanksgiving)
Thursdays thru Saturdays at 8:00 pm
Running time is 2 hours with one intermission
Through December 1st
Historical Dramatization of a Dramatic Life
Emma, Howard Zinn’s dramatization of the major moments in the life of socialist and radical feminist Emma Goldman confirms Zinn’s standing as one of the most important historians of our day and as one of our many mediocre playwrights. That doesn’t matter because what the play may lack in style is more than amply made up for in this production by the powerful acting and magnificent ensemble work of Trap Door’s top-notch cast. 
Beata Pilch is riveting as Emma. When Pilch delivers the rousing words that made the firebrand Goldman a prized speaker in the American union movement (as well as a national threat worthy of the attention of J. Edgar Hoover), it feels like the audience in the theatre might get out of their seats and riot. And why not? Most of the issues Goldman spoke to are as relevant today as they were 80 or 100 years ago. It is impossible not to make the connection.
My beef with the play is that its vehicle is too straightforward, a series of 23 chronologically ordered scenes depicting the major events in an amazing life. Fortunately, the dialogue is quite good and director Kate Hendricksen has created a fast-paced, beautifully staged production that is captivating from beginning to end. The nine actors in the cast take on all of the roles needed to tell the story and move about from scene to scene in seamless fashion. The show is tightly choreographed using elements of pantomime combined with creative sound effects that borrow from the world of radio dramas. The costumes and musical support are superb; the fight choreography is real; and everything about the production delights the up-close audience in the Trap Door’s tiny, alley hideaway space.
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As mediocre a playwright as Zinn may be, he is a great historian and this show has the facts right. Goldman is too often seen scowling and dressed in black, while here we meet a fun-loving and engaging whole human being. Pilch’s Emma is charming. If you are a history buff and if you enjoy great acting in small settings as I do, this show is a must see. The entire cast (Kevin Cox, David Bettino, Jason Huysman, Carolyn Hoerdemann, Jen Ellison, John Kahara, Noah Durham, Géraldine Dulex) is so uniformly strong that I know I will be back for Trap Door’s next production. In terms of value, the 2 for 1 Thursday night offering is probably the best value in town at the moment, but take a few extra bucks with you because this talented company is unable to pay the actors and contributions go directly to them. My advice is see this show.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Randy Hardwick
randyontheglobe@yahoo.com for comments
Date Reviewed: October 18, 2007
Jeff Recommended
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