Mara Davi and Matthew Broderick dance in Shakespeare Theatre Company's Babbitt/Teresa Castracane, photo
ZOWIE!! It’s a great one! (Or, would that be "zounds"?)
That would be sounds from Shakespeare Theatre Company's Babbitt with celebrity Matthew Broderick, known throughout the world for Ferris Bueller's Day Off...and many more productions.
The place is Zenith, Middle America and the time and plot closely follow the 1922 novel of the same name by Sinclair Lewis who pokes fun at Middle America and its cheerless, hypocritical ways, with focus on its main character, George Babbitt. The book helped earn Lewis the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1930, but surprisingly, only two films have been made of the book, in 1924 and 1934.
Babbitt's modern day rendition by writer Joe DiPietro is a magnificent experience with hilarious lines Broderick delivers in deadpan fashion and enrich the show.
He's practically perfect for the role. And that goes for his fellow "storytellers" who perform multiple roles and assist in disclosing Babbitt's existence in this tale of mediocrity.
He's practically perfect for the role. And that goes for his fellow "storytellers" who perform multiple roles and assist in disclosing Babbitt's existence in this tale of mediocrity.
Ann Harada is his wife, a natural complement to the homebody until she goes all independent and starts strutting around, as if she desired something more than just being a spouse.
Judy Kaye's Broadway experience is instrumental in her Babbitt success as secretary, woman of the rich, and more. Ali Stroker is the annoying, cloying but effective daughter. Other actors, Nehal Joshi, Matt McGrath, and Chris Myers as the energetic son advance the show and help birth a Babbitt who discovers life is more than humdrum and repetition when he lets his mind (and body) go exploring and pick up steam, so to speak.
The woman of Babbitt's dreams is Mara Davi, the play's dance captain.
The stage is a work of art (by Walt Spangler with lighting by Cha See): A modern, minimalist library on two floors, crisp and cool, rather like peering inside a Chinese refrigerator, but requiring little time to warm up the cast.
But, oh my! There's a somewhat of a hellish "merry-go-round" requiring fancy, quick moves by the cast to hop on and off the inner circulating stage, but precision timing and maneuvering made it appear, of course, "easy to do" when a quick costume addition or subtraction made a fast dash off-stage necessary to begin a new scene.
But, oh my! There's a somewhat of a hellish "merry-go-round" requiring fancy, quick moves by the cast to hop on and off the inner circulating stage, but precision timing and maneuvering made it appear, of course, "easy to do" when a quick costume addition or subtraction made a fast dash off-stage necessary to begin a new scene.
From a serious novel, DiPietro has spun a fun yet superficial yarn, to pause for self-reflection and ponder existence: Are we slaves to conformity? Could we benefit from "more spice"? From change?
Yes! I'll buy that! Bring it on and infuse my life with more laughs, too, while you're at it.
When Babbitt “gets down,” he gets down.
The play premiered in La Jolla, CA one year ago.
Other members of the artistic team: Christopher Ashley, director; Stephen Buescher, choreographer; Linda Cho, costumes; Leon Rothenberg, sound; Mark Bennett and Wayne Barker, original music; Charles G. LaPointe, wigs and hair.
Also, Rosie Glen-Lambert, associate director; Martha Donaldson, production stage manager; Tyler Larson and Stephen Bubniak, assistant stage managers.
Also, Rosie Glen-Lambert, associate director; Martha Donaldson, production stage manager; Tyler Larson and Stephen Bubniak, assistant stage managers.
What: Babbitt
When: Now through Nov. 3, 2024 at 2 p.m.
Where: Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Harman Hall, 610 F St., Washington, D.C. 20004
Tickets: Box office: 202-547-1122, 12–6 p.m. every day or buy online or STCbox@ShakespeareTheatre.org
Tickets: Box office: 202-547-1122, 12–6 p.m. every day or buy online or STCbox@ShakespeareTheatre.org
Duration: Approximately 2 hrs. and ten minutes with one 15-minute intermission
Ages: For mature teens and up
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