The Fourth Walsh

Steppenwolf Theatre presents THE DANCE OF DEATH.

Edgar is an artillery captain. Alice is a stage actress. When they met, sparks flew. Fast forward twenty-five years later, the sparks are still present, they’ve turned incendiary. Imprisoned together on a remote island, the couple exist on meager provisions and a steady diet of barbs and hate. When company arrives, each delights in wooing the guest to be an ally. They want Kurt to be their partner in THE DANCE OF DEATH.

Under the masterful direction of Yasen Peyankov, this show is funny! Playwright August Strindberg penned a tale of domestic emotional abuse. In this new version by Conor McPherson, Peyankov has his talented ensemble lean into the humor. And Jeff Perry (Edgar) leans in hard to the absurdity. Perry is a hilarious standout. His blustery rants are comical. In the midst of one, he abruptly goes into a trance. His physical comedy is delightful buffoonery. At one point, he dances with unapologetic narcissism and oblivious ineptness.

And to balance out Perry’s antics, Peyankov has Kathryn Erbe (Alice) play it with cool resignation. Erbe responds to her husband’s emotional outbursts with dry wit or a well-placed zinger. If they are playing games, she seems in control of the board. When Cliff Chamberlain (Kurt) arrives, Erbe’s seduction is calculated. While she baits Chamberlain with secrets and affection, Perry takes a different tact. He curates his suffering to garner Chamberlain’s sympathy. Chamberlain, along with the audience, must piece together who is leading and who is following in THE DANCE OF DEATH.

Nod out to Scenic Designer Collette Pollard for constructing a solid fortress to house this marital implosion. The oversize gothic room provides a mysterious sanctuary and/or penitentiary to unravel domestic disputes.     

THE DANCE OF DEATH is exceptionally well done. It perfectly illustrates unhappily ever after and makes us laugh at it. Get to THE DANCE!

Running Time: Two hours and thirty minutes includes an intermission

At Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted

Written by August Strindberg

In a new version by Conor McPherson

Directed by Yasen Peyankov

Performances are:

Alternative Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 7:30

Fridays, Saturdays at 7:30pm

Saturdays and Sundays at 3pm

Thru March 22

For more information or tickets

Production photos by Michael Brosilow

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