THE HANGOVER REPORT – Raul Esparza electrifies in John Doyle’s focused, relevant revival of THE RESISTIBLE RISE OF ARTURO UI

Raul Esparza in Bertolt Brecht's "The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui" at Classic Stage Company.

Raul Esparza in Bertolt Brecht’s “The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui” at Classic Stage Company. Photo by Joan Marcus.

This afternoon, I caught John Doyle’s exceptional revival of Bertolt Brecht’s The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui for Classic Stage Company. As translated by George Tabori, the episodic, eventful play tells the story of the terrifying rise of a Brooklyn-born Chicago gangster, one Arturo Ui – Brecht’s weakly-veiled stand-in for Adolf Hitler. Despite being originally written in 1941 as a cautionary tale, the play still strongly draws parallels to the world we live in, a scary and unfortunate reality.

Apart from resonating in our current times, this production is notable for marking the welcome return to the New York stage of Raul Esparza. Over the years, Mr. Esparza has proven himself to be one of theater’s most intense and versatile performers. In the title role, he’s given the chance to flex his considerable acting muscles, and he delivers an all-consuming performance that doesn’t disappoint. Indeed, he’s simply ferocious as the impish, oddly charismatic, yet cold bloodedly ruthless Ui. His interpretation is restless, scenery-chewing, and relentlessly present. In true Brechtian fashion, his visceral performance is totally self aware, which makes his performance even more seductive.

Similarly, Mr. Doyle’s minimalist, exposed aesthetic also works rather well within the context Brecht’s philosophy of theater. With The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui, he’s come up with a focused, intense staging that ranks among his most effective for a straight play. Apart from the forceful, astonishing Mr. Esparza, the rest of his cast – which enticingly includes the likes of Tony-nominee Elizabeth A. Davis and George Abud – is superlative. Their seamless ensemble work is especially impressive. Although the second act loses the intoxicating momentum of the first (more the play’s problem than the production’s), Ui’s final speech of world domination, thanks to Mr. Esparza’s electrifying delivery, is among the most chilling, gut-punching moments in the theater I’ve experienced all year.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

 

THE RESISTIBLE RISE OF ARTURO UI
Off-Broadway, Play
Classic Stage Company
2 hours (with one intermission)
Through December 22

Categories: Off-Broadway, Theater

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