2008 Woodie Awards
Actors of 'The Project' shine in dark roles
Ellen Grafton
Issue date: 4/6/06 Section: Arts
The senior work of Lucas Kavner '06.5 and Daniel di Tomasso '06 proved to be well worth the buzz it had accumulated. The show, presented in the Hepburn Zoo March 30 through April 1, was originally directed by Guest Professor of Theater Alex Draper, but the final direction was by Professor of Theater Richard Romagnoli.
Set in a totalitarian state sometime in the future, the play follows the story of a writer (Kavner) who has been arrested in connection with the horrific murders of several children. Through his interviews with two police officers (MacLeod Andrews '07.5 and di Tomasso) we learn that the murders of the children match the murders described in the writer's stories. These stories are periodically narrated to the audience by Kavner, while the action is mimed by actors behind him. The writer's mentally-handicapped brother, played by Willie Orbison '08, is also taken into custody. Eventually, the writer is shocked to discover his own brother is guilty of the murders. Even more devastating for the writer is the realization that the murders were acted out based on the vivid descriptions in his violent short stories. The action that ensues raises questions about the nature of art and its responsibilities to society.
Playing the character of a disturbed but brilliant writer, Kavner was able to expand from his most recent roles as a sweet-hearted lover (David in "The Melting Pot" and Walker and Ned in "Three Days of Rain") to prove his competency at darker material. Though the quirky artistic tendencies and affability of his character echoed Kavner's earlier roles, he handled the violence and morbidity of the character with equal grace.
Di Tomasso lost the common family issues of his earlier performance in "The House of Yes" to portray a violent police officer with a sentimental side. Though di Tomasso's speech was occasionally difficult to understand, his vocal and physical embodiment of a sweet-tempered bone breaker were well-played. He was in turns comical and frightening, as befits the text. As his intelligent and manipulative partner, Andrews '07.5 embodied well the deceits of a justice system that can be as brutal as it is persuasive.
Set in a totalitarian state sometime in the future, the play follows the story of a writer (Kavner) who has been arrested in connection with the horrific murders of several children. Through his interviews with two police officers (MacLeod Andrews '07.5 and di Tomasso) we learn that the murders of the children match the murders described in the writer's stories. These stories are periodically narrated to the audience by Kavner, while the action is mimed by actors behind him. The writer's mentally-handicapped brother, played by Willie Orbison '08, is also taken into custody. Eventually, the writer is shocked to discover his own brother is guilty of the murders. Even more devastating for the writer is the realization that the murders were acted out based on the vivid descriptions in his violent short stories. The action that ensues raises questions about the nature of art and its responsibilities to society.
Playing the character of a disturbed but brilliant writer, Kavner was able to expand from his most recent roles as a sweet-hearted lover (David in "The Melting Pot" and Walker and Ned in "Three Days of Rain") to prove his competency at darker material. Though the quirky artistic tendencies and affability of his character echoed Kavner's earlier roles, he handled the violence and morbidity of the character with equal grace.
Di Tomasso lost the common family issues of his earlier performance in "The House of Yes" to portray a violent police officer with a sentimental side. Though di Tomasso's speech was occasionally difficult to understand, his vocal and physical embodiment of a sweet-tempered bone breaker were well-played. He was in turns comical and frightening, as befits the text. As his intelligent and manipulative partner, Andrews '07.5 embodied well the deceits of a justice system that can be as brutal as it is persuasive.