Review: The Voysey Inheritance
The Voysey Inheritance is one of the most surprising pieces of theater Moxie has seen this season. As soon as you walk into the Atlantic, and behold the ornate drawing room onstage, it's impossible not to think "whoa, here comes the 20-minute nap in Act One, we're in for 3 hours of talking." Instead, Mamet's new adaptation of Harvey Granville Barker's 5 act play now clocks in at 2 hours, and is snappy, zesty, and because of the ferocious performances, downright exciting.
Exceeding expectations once again is Michael Stuhlbarg as the heir to the Voysey legacy, one which happens to be fraught with upper-class crime, secrecy, and deceit. Stuhlbarg's performance is subtle and thoughtful. The wheels of his mind are visibly turning as he tries over and over to sort out legally the illegal misdeeds of his father. Samantha Soule is sharp as a pin and just delightful to watch, matching Stuhlbarg in the ability to let us inside the complexities of their characters' emotions.
So Atlantic has done it again. Moxie must admit, she's never seen a show at Atlantic she didn't really, really like. Tina Howe's The Bald Soprano & The Lesson, Mamet's Romance, The Lieutenant of Inishmore, Spring Awakening, and now The Voysey Inheritance. Keep 'em coming!
The Voysey Inheritance runs through Jan. 7th at The Atlantic Theater Company.
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3 comments:
"Moxie must admit, she's never seen a show at Atlantic she didn't really, really like."
You didn't see Birth and After Birth, then, did you?
True, I have managed to avoid a few of the "less well-received" (stinkers! ahem) shows at Atlantic, but they certainly do turn out a decent rate of top-quality plays. I feel like there's something about the company, and I hope that they continue all the good work that seems to be happening over there. Yeah, they have some big misses, but it's sorta par for the course, and their track record is considerably better than some of the more "prestigious" and high-profile not-for-protfits these days.
Glad someone recognizes how good Samantha Soule is. It's crazy that she hasn't been singled out in any reviews of the show. She's absolutely brilliant.
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