{"id":8761,"date":"2013-11-09T13:48:42","date_gmt":"2013-11-09T21:48:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forallevents.com\/reviews\/?p=8761"},"modified":"2013-11-09T13:48:42","modified_gmt":"2013-11-09T21:48:42","slug":"the-ghost-sonata-by-august-strindberg-sonoma-state-university-rohnert-park-ca","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forallevents.com\/reviews\/the-ghost-sonata-by-august-strindberg-sonoma-state-university-rohnert-park-ca\/","title":{"rendered":"The Ghost Sonata by August Strindberg, Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park CA"},"content":{"rendered":"

Reviewed by Suzanne and Greg Angeo<\/strong><\/p>\n

Photo courtesy of Sonoma State University Department of Theatre Arts & Dance<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>A Night With the Living Dead<\/strong><\/p>\n

Strangely beautiful and eerie images fill the stage in SSU\u2019s mesmerizing production of The Ghost Sonata<\/em> at the Evert B. Person Theatre. Written in 1907 by tormented Swedish playwright August Strindberg<\/strong>, it was first staged in his own Intimate Theater in Stockholm the following year. It is one of the earliest examples of Expressionistic Theatre, where time, space and reality bend to the creative will of\u00a0 the playwright and director. \u00a0For this reason, The Ghost Sonata<\/em> is rarely seen, due to the difficulty in conveying the story\u2019s meaning, which is enclosed in a dreamlike shroud.<\/p>\n

The plot involves a young Student who appears to be fascinated by the people living in a fine house. An Old Man in a wheelchair that he meets outside has the key that will unlock the mystery of what goes on in the house. Its inhabitants include a screeching banshee-like woman called The Mummy who was once a young and beautiful wife; her husband The Colonel with secrets of his own, and their pretty daughter, \u201cThe Young Lady\u201d. The action onstage is almost entirely in reaction to prior events that the audience has not seen, and so live on in the characters\u2019 memories. They are all living in the past, focused on sordid deeds and revenge, a kind of living death that has many parallels in people we all know. There is a vampire-like Cook that drains the essence of life from those around her, servants wearing half-masks and a black-clad figure that emerges to project images of faces and fire.<\/p>\n

The ensemble performance by the student cast is superb. \u00a0Connor Pratt<\/strong> as The Student has a magnetic stage presence and moves gracefully through the dreamscape. Also noteworthy is Cassandra Slagle<\/strong> as The Mummy, a frenzied shadow of her former self. The Old Man, played by David O\u2019Connell<\/strong>, is also a well-done and compelling performance. Creative direction and staging by Judy Navas<\/strong> brings it all together with surreal set design (by Anthony Bish<\/strong>) and highly imaginative costumes (by Michelle Dokos<\/strong>). Elements of Japanese Noh Theatre are added for good measure<\/p>\n

The inventive use of black light lends an otherworldly appearance to furniture and props that at times appear to float through the air. Heavy fog, thunderclaps and strobe-lightening provide an unsettled, stormy atmosphere. Music in the third scene recalls \u201cTwin Peaks\u201d by David Lynch<\/strong>, who could have been inspired by Strindberg.<\/p>\n

The Ghost Sonata<\/em> is one of the most successful efforts by SSU to present original, entertaining theatre. Like a musical sonata, the story has no beginning, middle or end. It\u2019s a challenging piece that was delightfully well-executed. Hopefully it will be presented again with a longer run so more will be able to enjoy its free-form, Expressionistic pleasures.<\/p>\n

When: Through November 9, 2013<\/strong><\/p>\n

7:30 p.m. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Tickets: $10 to $17 <\/strong><\/p>\n

Location: Evert B. Person Theatre at Sonoma State University<\/strong><\/p>\n

1801 E. Cotati Ave.<\/strong>
\nRohnert Park, CA 94928
\nPhone: 707-664-4246 <\/strong><\/p>\n

Website: <\/strong>www.sonoma.edu\/theatreanddance\/productions<\/a><\/p>\n

Coming up at SSU:<\/h2>\n

Mega Hot Lava New Play Festival<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

By SSU Students
\nCurated by Scott Horstein<\/strong><\/p>\n

November 14-16, 2013
\nStudio 76, Ives Hall<\/strong><\/p>\n

Original script-in-hand readings of new short plays from SSU\u2019s playwrights of tomorrow! Who knows what this year\u2019s festival will bring?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Reviewed by Suzanne and Greg Angeo Photo courtesy of Sonoma State University Department of Theatre Arts & Dance A Night With the Living Dead Strangely beautiful and eerie images fill…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"yasr_overall_rating":0,"yasr_post_is_review":"","yasr_auto_insert_disabled":"","yasr_review_type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-8761","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-greg-suzanne-angeo"},"yasr_visitor_votes":{"stars_attributes":{"read_only":true,"span_bottom":"