Mary Arrchie Theatre presents CRIME AND PUNISHMENT.
An intellectual tests his theories on humanity. He surmises crime for a higher purpose is justified. He believes some people can commit heinous acts without repercussion. When he is interrogated by a police inspector, his world starts to unravel. When he is haunted by his dreams, his life implodes. Mary Arrchie stages the classic Russian epic.
This deft adaptation by Marilyn Campbell and Curt Columbus premiered at Writers’ Theatre in 2003. It won a Joseph Jefferson Award for best adaptation. The script skillfully condenses the lengthy novel into a robust but tight 90 minute play. Under the skillful direction of Richard Cotovsky, three actors debate morality from religious and judicious angles.
At the center is the impressive Ed Porter (Raskolnikov). Porter is always on stage. He engages with his continual transformation. When Jack McCabe (Porfiry) questions his knowledge of the crime, Porter is arrogantly offended. The almost playful McCabe is unorthodox in his inspector methodology. His unconventional manner rattles Porter. We see the visible reactions in Porter’s physicality. The desperation, the fear, the hope, Porter harnesses us to his descent into madness. The pivotal flashback scene is especially unsettling.
To allow Porter the room for his passionate upheaval, Cotovsky keeps McCabe and Maureen Yasko (Sonia) more muted. In his primary role as inspector, McCabe regularly refers to Porter as ‘my dear boy.’ The endearment is slightly patronizing, mostly chummy. In one scene, McCabe shows up unannounced. He amicably perches in a seat waiting for Porter to lose it. The weird dynamic between McCabe and Porter stops short of comedic. It’s dark and tense. Yasko, on the other hand, starts out affected. When Porter calls her out for prostitution, she only mildly reacts. Later, we see her emotional vulnerability as she tries to desperately connect with Porter. Their interaction is heart-wrenching.
The acting is good. The script is concise. On opening night, the audience interrupted my complete emersion in to this classic. To accommodate the packed house, a makeshift row was in front of mine. Being on the same level, I had to continually peer between the couple in front of me. They kept leaning in and talking to each other. It was distracting. I was also continually aware of people in the back shifting around in their creaky seats. This play is intellectual sparring. It’s only a crime drama for a brief interlude. This show isn’t for everybody. Russian novels are known for their wordy content. Beware: Mary Arrchie’s CRIME AND PUNISHMENT is epic.
Running Time: Ninety minutes with no intermission
At Mary Arrchie at Angel Island, 731 W. Sheridan
Based on the novel by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Adapted by Marilyn Campbell and Curt Columbus
Directed by Richard Cotovsky
Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays at 8pm
Sundays at 7pm
Thru March 16th
Buy Tickets at www.maryarrchie.com
Production photo by Emily Schwartz