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The Autumn Garden
By Lillian Hellman
Directed by Nathaniel Swift
Produced by Eclipse Theatre Company
At The Greenhouse Theater Center
2257 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL
Call 773-404-7336 www.eclipsetheatre.com
Tickets $25 – 420 for students/seniors
Thursdays & Fridays at 8 pm
Saturdays at 3 & 8 pm
Sundays at 3 pm
Running time is 2 hours, 50 minutes with 2 intermissions
Through December 21, 2008
Powerful and rarely produced by Lillian Hellman classic is a worthy treat
As part of their ‘The Celebration Series,’ Eclipse Theatre has smartly mounted at The Greenhouse Theater a most enjoyable production of the 1951 Lillian Hellman drama of manners, “The Autumn Garden.” This is a mature and introspective work with hints of Chekhov and Miller. Eclipse Theatre, under Nathaniel Swift tight flowing direction, features an excellent ensemble of fine non-Equity actors at the top of their craft.
Old friends gathers in a summer house near New Orleans to rediscover old connections, rekindle lost relationships, and find peace – only to find that they can’t escape from the choices of their past. Constance (Millicent Hurley) runs a most respectable boarding house steeped in the Southern social traditions. Her French maid, Sophie (Nora Fiffer) has eyes for Frederick (Stephen Dale)—who has eyes for a male friend. His mother Carrie (Julie Partyka) and his grandmother, Mrs. Ellis (Judith Hoppe) work to get young Frederick married to Sophie to thwart his real desires.
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Constance has a lifelong yearning for Crossman (Chuck Spencer) the banker who visits for a few weeks each year. Rose (Dawn Alden) and her husand, General Griggs (Steven Fedoruk) are in a constant state of ‘getting a divorce’ while Nick (John Fenner Mays) and Nina (Julie Daley) visit after many years as Nick strives to reach out to a former love interest. He strives to finish a painting for the first time in years. Nick is a free spirit who counsels everyone on life. Hellman cleverly plots her drama of manners as she fills it with snappy dialogue and funny social comments. This is a subtle yet powerful character sketch that deftly looks at the strains of personal and family relationships.
The production values are expert with Courtney O’Neill’s fine set, Chris Corwin’s lighting and Elsa Hiltner’s period-perfect costumes. John Fenner Mays, Dawn Alden, Nora Fiffer and Judith Hoppe were particular effective with nice work from Chuck Spencer and Steven Fedoruk in support. This is ensemble work of the highest caliber.
“The Autumn Garden” is a polished nicely flowing production that quickly grabs you and holds you throughout the nearly three hour show. This is a terrific play worthy of an audience. Lillian Hellman’s masterpiece lives through the efforts of a fabulous cast from Eclipse Theatre. They are to be congratulated for this gem.
Highly Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: November 15, 2008
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