Remy Bumppo Theatre presents DEAR ELIZABETH.
Playwright Sarah Ruhl has constructed a love letter to a writer’s creative process. Ruhl cleverly utilizes actual correspondence between Poets Elizabeth Bishop and Robert Lowell to chronicle their relationship over three decades. Bishop and Lowell meet because of mutual admiration. Over time, this appreciation grows from respected colleagues to trusted friends. Their thirty years of written letters and poetry reflect the success and failures in their love life and their work. They seek personal and professional refuge in the empathy of the other.
Although Ruhl’s sharp script seems riddled with wit, Director Christina Casano navigates a more sober portrayal of the lives of these poets. The show is back and forth monologues between Christopher Sheard (Lowell) and Leah Karpel (Bishop). An animated Sheard shares vulnerability with playful snark while Karpel leans more into a melancholy portrayal. Sheard amuses with exaggerated angst. Karpel drily delivers a droll one liner.
The personality contrast makes transitions from one monologue to the other lose the emotional connection. The idea of their strong attachment isn’t quite earned. Their separateness carries over to exchanges when they are together. Intimate gestures feel awkward. It’s not that they push the boundaries of friendship. It’s because they feel like strangers not friends. The intellectual chemistry doesn’t seem to spark to ignite a deeper bond.
Still, DEAR ELIZABETH is a thought provoking piece of writing. It prompted me to read more about the interesting lives of Elizabeth Bishop and Robert Lowell.
Running Time: An hour and forty-five minutes with an intermission
At Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont
Written by Sarah Ruhl
Directed by Christina Casano
Performances are:
Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays at 7:30pm
Saturdays, Sundays at 2:30pm
Thru November 17
For more information or tickets
Photography by Nomee Photography
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