Last week I attended this spanish-language production of La Strada (The Road), based on the Federico Fellini film of the same name. I want to say right off that I loved this production. A long-time avid Fellini fan, I am intimately familiar with the film, an old favorite. Gerard Vazquez's adaptation to a live theatrical production is beautiful and poignant, achieving its goal in capturing the spirit of Fellini's work, and giving it a real life of its own on stage. The company has created an evening of theatre that is both funny and moving, and completely stands on its own. One does not have to be familiar with the film to thoroughly enjoy this production.
It is performed entirely in spanish with english titles projected on a screen. Along with my familiarity with the story, I happen to have a somewhat working knowledge of spanish. Therefore, I could follow much of the action without looking at the titles on the screen. However, the translation was there when I needed it. My companion in attendance, and clown partner, Holly McCracken, who is not a spanish-speaker, remarked that it was easy to follow the titles. She was also deeply moved by the show.
The actors ably transcend the language barrier with their clear intentions, and all are extremely well-cast. The clowns begin the show, setting the action in what feels and looks like a circus (more on the set below). Their classic antics and relationships wonderfully portrayed, set us up for what appears to be a lighthearted show to come. Clown Consultant Audrey Crabtree's touches bring that delicate art to bear on this story. The audience is lured by this deception into thinking that perhaps we will be entertained further by a clown show. What follows is the sad, tension-filled story of a brute, his assistant, and the man that comes between them: circus performers all living the transitory and hard-worn reality of life on the road. Thankfully there are much-needed laughs for an audience awash in a tragic story.
In a live theatre setting, the audience is served a more immediate and terrifying experience of the brutality and tragic qualities of these characters. It is affecting and discomforting. The mime technique used to portray the Fool's circus act is neatly executed. Zampano's strong-man act is skillfully performed. Gelsomina's fragile mental state is palpable. The beauty of this story is that all the characters deserve and win our sympathy, and this production no less so than the film. The directors Jorge Merced and Rene Buch are to be commended for the fullness of this theatrical realization with obvious respect and proper tribute to the filmmaker.
The set and costumes are all black, white and shades of grey, echoing the black & white of the Fellini film. The circle that makes up the main playing area resembles a circus ring. Along with the backdrop of dramatic sky, they magnificently create the atmosphere of the circus and the bleak landscape of the road on which these characters' lives unfold before us. The lovely music for this production is entirely original. It brings to life the music that is integral to the telling of La Strada. Here we are regaled with live musicians and the actors voices in song.
Two nights later, I was walking up walking up Eighth Avenue on my way to a rehearsal. I spotted a group of people with red-painted noses huddled on the corner of 36th Street. As I approached, I was delighted to recognize the cast of La Strada, handing out promotional materials, hoping to attract attention to the upcoming performance(s). I was struck by the appropriateness of their appearance: a lonely band of performers on the road (in this case the street) eclipsed by a large, indifferent metropolis full of strangers passing by. We exchanged greetings, and I wished them all the best. They deserve no less.
La Strada at The Barrow Street TBG Theater, 312 w 36th Street, 3rd fl
btwn 8th and 9th avenues. Oct 22nd-Dec 4th
Tues & Wed 7pm
Thurs- Saturday 8pm
Sat and Sun 3pm
http://www.lastradacompany.com/
