The cast of HeartBreak House. Photo by T. Charles Erickson.
by Mark G. Auerbach
Darko Tresnjak’s back in Hartford, after steering Anastasia to Broadway, and Hartford Stage is presenting his take on George Bernard Shaw’s comedic and caustic Heartbreak House. Like other plays of Shaw, there’s humor to be found in some of the crisp choices of language, a lot of discourse and social commentary, and a slew of characters motivated by self-interest. Be forewarned: Heartbreak House with intermission runs 2 hours and 45 minutes, but stay with it, because the last 35 minutes or so offers some of the best theatre seen at Hartford Stage this season.
In my journey to the past, when I was studying theatre in DC and New Haven, it seems that George Bernard Shaw’s plays were so frequently programmed by theatres and always studied. I recall seeing touring productions of Candida with Celeste Holm and other actresses of a certain age playing the minister’s wife entranced by a much younger man. I also recall seeing Ingrid Bergman in Shaw’s rarely-performed Captain Brassbound’s Conversation at Kennedy Center.
Miles Anderson in Heartbreak House. Photo by T. Charles Erickson.
George Bernard Shaw was a prolific Irish-born playwright, critic and social commentator, whose plays often had political undertones which are still relevant today. His 1913 play Pygmalion, which later became the Broadway musical classic My Fair Lady, talked about how people were judged based on how they spoke. Arms and The Man, which Oscar Strauss adapted as the operetta The Chocolate Soldier, has an undercurrent of anti-war sentiment. Shaw was the first person to be awarded a Nobel Prize in Literature and an Oscar for his screen adaptation of Pygmalion in 1925 and 1938.
Heartbreak House premiered on Broadway in 1921. A major Broadway revival was mounted in 1984, with an all star cast headed by Rex Harrison as Shotover, and Amy Irving, Rosemary Harris, Dana Ivey, George N. Martin and Tom Aldredge. Harrison was nominated for a Tony Award that season. Darko Tresnjak staged a well-received production of Heartbreak House at The Huntington in Boston in 2002.
As with the beginning of Anastasia, Heartbreak House portrays a well-heeled family, oblivious to the impending war that’s about to doom them in 1914. Shaw’s family and guests are a combination of conservatives and liberals, clashing over the roads to their futures. The writing is humorous, expansive, and sometimes hints of Chekhovian introspection. The characters and situations are, a century later, very similar to people we currently know who are caught up in our current political rhetoric.
Dani De Waal, Miles Anderson, Mary VanArsdel in Heartbreak House. Photo by T. Charles Erickson.
Colin McGurk’s set is so handsome, and Ilona Somogyi’s costumes are ravishing in detail. Matthew Richards’ lighting brings out the best in the physical production’s intricate detailing. Jane Shaw’s sound design showcases the crisp accents, and Jason Allen’s wig designs, particularly for the character of Boss Mangan, are great.
Darko Tresnjak’s staging highlights the best of Shaw’s commentary without over-emphasizing the contemporary similarities. The actors, all put through a maze of words and action, are a well-timed ensemble. I found Dani De Waal’s portrayal of the seemingly down-to-earth but no-she’s-not Ellie Dunn exemplary, along with Charlotte Parry’s and Tessa Auberjonois’ portrayal of supposedly chic and sophisticated sisters. Miles Anderson as the old sea captain Shotover, family patriarch, is superb, as is Andrew Long as the pompous, shallow, rich business tycoon expecting to be the center of attention.
By the way, Hartford Stage has just added Our Great Tchaikovsky, a celebration of the famed Russian composer, written and performed by Hershey Felder, to the summer season, August 19 through 27. He staged Mona Golabek’s The Pianist of Willisden Lane, which was one of the more exciting solo performances I’ve seen at Hartford Stage prior to The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey, which left me breathless.
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Hartford Stage presents Heartbreak House. By George Bernard Shaw. Directed by Darko Tresnjak. Scenic design by Colin McGurk Costume design by Ilona Somogyi. Lighting design by Matthew Richards. Sound design by Jane Shaw.through June 11. For tickets: 860-527-5151 or www.hartfordstage.org
Mark G. Auerbach studied theatre at American University and the Yale School of Drama. He’s worked for arts organizations and reported on theatre for newspapers and radio.
