Review: 'Orpheus Descending'

Though this 1957 Gothic soap opera isn't generally named among the top tier of Tennessee Williams' works, it offers a tantalizing mix of soaring lyricism, religious symbolism, and guilty-pleasure theatrics. It's a testosterone-charged retelling of the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice in the form of a tragicomedy set in a small Southern town. Director Lou Pepe's rendition offers a generally solid realization of the play's virtues. Ironic humor and moments of pathos are deftly dovetailed as the production works its way to a chilling conclusion.

The juicy lead role of troubled shop owner Lady Torrance, whose spirit is in urgent need of salvation, is played by Denise Crosby, who does a fine job of conveying Lady's suppressed frustrations that ultimately lead to desperate acts. The hope for Lady's emotional survival arrives unexpectedly, in the form of guitar-strumming drifter Val Xavier (Gale Harold), the sexy and sultry young man she hires as a shop assistant. Appropriately, the tension in the play escalates with the arrival of Val, thanks to Harold's perfect mix of smoldering sensuality and vulnerability. This is the type of role one easily associates with an actor like James Dean or Marlon Brando (who played it in the film adaptation, "The Fugitive Kind"). Harold's interpretation is a bit softer than expected, but it works well. He tempers the angry-young-man character with great sensitivity, making the tragic climax all the more affecting. The chemistry between Crosby's menopausal misfit and Harold's wayward boy-toy is the production's strongest suit.

The finest work by the supporting players includes Geoffrey Wade's chilling performance as Lady's vile husband, Jabe, who is physically incapacitated but still up to despicable deeds; Francesca Casale in multiple roles; Curtis C. as a bizarre vagrant; Andy Forrest as the ruthless sheriff; and Claudia Mason as a bedraggled local waif. As two local biddies addicted to gossip, Kelly Ebsary and Sheila Shaw are saddled with stereotypical Williams roles; through no fault of the actors, these two characters add little to the proceedings.

Design elements are satisfactory.