Dual Citizensat the Odyssey TheatreReviewed by
Dany Margolies
March 10, 2010
In "Broken Nails: A Marlene Dietrich Dialogue," conceiver-performer Anna Skubik works with a life-size puppet, Skubik playing servant to the demanding, imperious, stretchily aging, remarkably lifelike creation of fabric and soul. Being Madam's servant, Skubik can disappear from our notice by bowing her head when being reprimanded or hiding behind Madam's large bleach-blond curls in this piece written and directed Romuald Wicza-Pokojski. Skubik's puppeteering skills are so fine that the puppet seems to be a living creature who feels sorrow and physical pain. The puppet, designed by Skubik and Barbara Poczwardowska, has a twinkle in her eye that can leave the viewers with the uneasy feeling we're being watched. Skubik wears pinstripe slacks, a white shirt, a tie, and suspenders, adding an erotic charge to the tension between the two characters. Written and performed by Anthony Nikolchev, "Look, What I Don't Understand" relies on ornamentation rather than storytelling. Nikolchev is a capable actor who clearly has stage chops. But the hour is filled with busy lighting cues and frenetic character changes, complete with accents that can be pinpointed to a continent at best, all in service of a multigenerational tale about trying to escape various political regimes and various wars. The program credits five directors, the result of which looks as if each was trying to put his or her stamp on the whole. No one comes out a winner here—not the characters, not the theatermakers. But an artistic highlight here is the set, designed by Nikolchev, that serves as a holding area, bunker, stairways, hallways, and looming backdrop for wherever the tale takes us. Presented by and at the Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., L.A. March 13–28. Thu.–Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m. (Sun., 7 p.m. only, March 14 and 28. Added Wed., 8 p.m., March 17.) (310) 477-2055. www.odysseytheatre.com. |
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