Before coming to Broadway in March of 2009, expectations for God of Carnage were extraordinarily high.
And why not? It had the pedigree — starting with classically trained actress/playwright/novelist/screenwriter Yazmina Reza, whose play, Art, took the theatre world on both sides of the Atlantic by storm in 1998. Her work has been showing up in regional theatre productions ever since.
Carnage was born with a silver spoon its mouth as acclaimed actors Isabelle Huppert and Eric Elmosnino starred in the premiere French production (Le Dieu du Carnage). It didn't lose a step in the English translation by Christopher Hampton (author of another Broadway darling, Les Liaisons Dangereuses in 1985 and the book of Lloyd Webber's Sunset Boulevard) when the great Ralph Fiennes starred alongside Janet McTeer in London.
So when it was announced in 2009 that James Gandolfini (do I really have to write what television show he's best known for?) was announced to star alongside three of the most dependable actors in both film and theatre: Jeff Daniels, Hope Davis and Marcia Gay Harden, well, there was no way that God of Carnage was going to fail. It was as much of a sure thing as Jesus picking up the spare, bowling against the devil, on a 7-10 split in the tenth frame on league night, with the souls of humanity hanging in the balance, at Southwyck Lanes. God of Carnage was just not going to be denied.
And so it came to pass.
No disappoint here. The show was a monster hit, running on Broadway for 452 performances and winning Tony awards for Best Play, Best Actress (Ms. Harden) and Best Director (Matthew Warchus). Done deal.
So Toledo School for the Arts has to get some bonus points for staging God of Carnage in their Attic Theater April 18 through 21 under director Jennifer Rockwood. Though I must admit I am surprised that they would produce a show in which they recommend a good portion of their school not go (ads say, rightfully so, that some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. Personally, I would probably push that to 16, but I'm kind of “old school” that way.)
Indeed, God of Carnage is an adult play with adult themes under the guise of what used to be called a “black comedy” (usually meant to mean a comedy with darker undertones). But it's also easy to understand why TSA would bite into such a heady piece. The story of two couples who meet to discuss one of their children beating up the child of the other couple is rife with great comic lines, dramatic moments and the opportunity for some really memorable performances. But while the play should be a lesson on detente, it quickly degenerates into irrational arguments covering topics that include (but are not limited to) misogyny, racial prejudice and homophobia. And while I can't say how (or if) this will be portrayed at TSA, one of the women vomiting on stage provides a key dramatic moment as well… so don't say no one warned you!
Still, it's a great piece of writing and Reza, with the situational sensibility of Tom Stoppard (and a hint of a debt to Neil Simon), the dark humor of Harold Pinter and the wildly creative dialogue of Joe Orton, with only three major plays to her credit, has crafted a brilliantly wry and witty piece sure to stay with you long after the Carnage has ended.
$15. Thursday, April 18 thru Saturday, 20
at 7:30pm; Sunday, April 21, 4:30pm.
333 14th St., Attic Theater.
419-246-8732. www.ts4arts.org.
