WHAT: In the Garden of Z
WHERE: New Hampshire Theatre Project
BLURB: Truly Moving
HIGH POINT: Smart Script, Perfectly Performed
In the Garden of Z, co-written by Sean and Jelizaveta Robinson, is making its world premiere on stage at the New Hampshire Theatre Project.
This one is a heck of a ride, an incredibly forceful story told by a phenomenal cast in place.
Z is thoroughly intriguing, a rolling and reeling power piece. It takes an emotional, personal view - a micro take on macro political occurrences (war and propaganda) through the eyes of Sabina, a current day Russian teen.
The play is set in Russia, though sadly would be believable plunked down in any number of world locations.
Sabina (Jelizaveta Robinson) is developing her own views regarding the Ukraine war, her country's part in it and its cultural history, which creates an increased conflict with Ludmilla (Tracy Mullen Cosker), her difficult and abusive mother.
While questioning the current situation, the past and future, Sabina, an avid reader, imagines conversations with Agnessa Mironov (Constance Witman) of Stalin's Russia, and with Polina Zherebtsova (Corrie Owens-Beauchesne), a Chechen Russian documentarian, author, journalist during her teen years living through the Second Chechen War.
Things escalate between Sabina and her mother, as the teen holds to and voices her beliefs, and Ludmilla clings to hers, influenced by the the news, (Monique Peaslee Foote as Olga, and Kayt Houghton as Anna), propaganda delivered by state press.
Sean's and Jelizaveta's script is a true story, as far as the facts are an amalgam of real people and incidents.
Z's storyline, and dialogue, is impressive, moving and formidable. It pulls you in quickly and moves you smoothly through the multiple scenarios and scene-changes between home, newsroom, Chechnya and Russia's past.
The drawback is the usual of a premier, it still requires some editing. The first half goes without a hitch, the second's later-half or "wrap-up" would be served by some trimming. That said, it remains a strong and captivating tale as it stands.
And now, on to the performances.
Dang.
It's a dream-team, with every actress perfectly cast and delivering an impeccable performance.
That is to say, it's a viewer's dream, (not to mention director's) with each actress bringing all the angst, evenness, savvy, anger, surety etc., required of their role and this emotional work.
Robinson creates a truly likable Sabina, the quintessential bright, awakening teen, wrestling with her world, and imagining a future. It's hard not to take her into your heart.
Tracy Mullen Cosker as jingoist Ludmilla is frightening; brilliantly and authentically so. Her portrayal of the defeated, angry, lemming of a woman freezes the blood.
Ditto Peaslee Foote, as Olga, the savvy, seasoned, brutally honest newscaster, which proves a disturbing mix.
There is a scene during a heart-to-heart with Anna in which Peaslee Foote truly chills. Peaslee Foote's body language, as she leans in to explain things to the younger newscaster, is simply theater gold; it's impeccable performance.
Houghton's innocent Anna is on point throughout, with ease and honesty she brings the character's transition to life.
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