Hamlet (c. Jeremy Kahn*) is torn between Faustus (l. Michael Stevenson*) and Martin Luther (r. Dan Hiatt*) in Wittenberg
Wittenberg: A Tragical-Comical-Historical in Two Acts. By David Davalos. Directed by Josh Costello. Aurora Theatre, 2081 Addison St., Berkeley. (510) 843-4822. www.auroratheatre.org. Extended through May 11, 2014.
WITTENBERG an intellectual hilarious romp at Aurora [rating:4] (4 of 5 stars)
The subtitle of David Davalos’ Wittenberg: “A Tragical-Comical-Historical in Two Acts”, is extremely descriptive of what you will see and hear in this laugh out loud, with occasional “Oh, no!” guffaws, production that is gracing the Aurora stage. Being familiar with Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Marlowe’s The Tragical History of the Life and Death of Doctor Faustus and the teachings of Martin Luther will enhance your evening. Consider what would happen at a meeting between fictional Hamlet, semi-fictional Faustus and real life Luther and you have the outline of Davalos’ smart, intellectual comedy.
Davalos postulates that Wittenberg University in Germany is common ground where the three could have met. In Shakespeare’s Hamlet he leaves Wittenberg returning to Denmark to avenge the death of his father. Luther was a learned theologian and lecturer at Wittenberg where he nailed 95 Theses to the church door unmasking the corrupt practices in the Catholic Church leading to the Protestant Reformation. He and his followers demonized the real, self-proclaimed astrologer, physician and magician Faustus for witchcraft due to his dismissal of theology as false teaching.
Hamlet is portrayed as an ineffectual/vacillating senior student/athlete who still has not yet declared his major. That leaves him fair game for Luther’s theology and Faustus’ hedonistic philosophy as they vie for his soul. Davalos may try to give equal shrift to Luther’s and Faustus’ beliefs but after the scene where Luther proclaims that his cleansing bowel movement, actually brought on by a laxative given him by Faustus, was the cleansing of his soul, the advantage goes to Faustus.
The word ‘advantage’ has a more plebian definition when Hamlet plays a simulated tennis match with the unseen Laertes from a rival University. Copernicus enters in the rivalry when his concept of the earth moving around the sun is considered heresy.
All is not theology and philosophy since Davalos has written hilarious scenes liberally borrowing lines from Shakespeare and Marlowe irreverently subverting their intent. He also invents the proverbial student ale drinking house, “The Bung Hole”, with a two stein minimum and ‘all the tripe you can eat.’
Dr. Faustus’ excessive appetite for living and female sex reaches a climax (actually multiple climaxes) during his dalliances with lover Helen while Luther is pontificating from the pulpit on the marvelous faux Cathedral set (Eric E. Sinkkonen). Elizabeth Carter does quadruple duty as all four women in the cast giving each a distinctive flair.
Faustus’ (l. Michael Stevenson*) love interest, Helen (c. Elizabeth Carter*), flirts wildly with Hamlet (r. Jeremy Kahn*) after he wins a tennis match in Wittenberg
One could not ask for a more superlative cast that director Costello almost keeps in balance since the role of Faustus as played by Michael Stevenson is allowed to dominate the stage during his solo and ensemble time upon the stage. Jeremy Kahn should audition for the role of Hamlet in any forthcoming production of the Bard’s play since his depiction of the melancholy Dane rings true even though he must bound upon the stage in tennis regalia (brilliant costuming by Maggie Yule) to win his match with Laertes. Local favorite Dan Hiatt gives depth to Luther’s beliefs and has a subtle approach to comedy inherent in the script matching Stevenson scene for scene. Running time 2 hours and 10 minutes with an intermission.
THE CAST: (in alphabetical order) Elizabeth Carter, Gretchen, Helen, Mary, Voltemand; Dan Hiatt, Luther; Jeremy Kahn, Hamlet; Michael Stevenson; Faustus; Jeffrey Lloyd Heatherly, Voice of the Judge; Daniel Petzold,, Voice of Laertus.
DESIGNERS & CREW: Lighting designer, Jim Cave; Stage Manager , Leslie M. Radin; Properties, Laraine Gurke; Set designer , Eric Sinkkonen; Sound design, Chris Houston; Costume design: Maggi Yule
Kedar K. Adour, MD
Courtesy of www.theatreworldinternetmagazine.com.
