Jose Ruiz
Once again, A Noise Within underscores its position as
California's classical theater by presenting a classic and classy
evening of fairy tales by Oscar Wilde. While not exactly Christmas
tales, the presentations have the elements people remember and
embrace this holiday season.
This classic reading is unique in that there are almost no props,
and the actors must rely on the narrative to put the story across. In
that sense, the company has redefined the time-honored saying "A
picture is worth a thousand words," proving the opposite is true.
When they read Wilde, "a word is worth a thousand pictures." And some
pictures they draw!
"The Star Child" becomes alive in the sensitive portrait by Ann
Marie Lee, whose beautiful singing voice adds to the performance.
Going from small child to adolescent, she captures a full range of
emotions from innocence to arrogance to humility as the story shows
how every deed will have eventual repercussions or rewards, often in
the most unexpected way.
Geoff Elliott and Stephen Rockwell breathe a special anima into a
statue and a swallow in "The Happy Prince," a tale of giving,
friendship, love and reward. The deceptive simplicity of the story
might seem commonplace, but the execution by Rockwell and Elliott
raise it to a level where it could become an annual classic.
"The Selfish Giant" is a child-hating ogre who makes his garden
off-limits to the children and suffers eternal winter as a result.
One day, he meets a special child, and his heart makes a sudden
change. The child disappears for years, but eventually the giant
discovers that this was no ordinary child and he gladly joins him in
a restful and eternal reward. Deborah Strang is wonderful as the
giant with a giant heart.
Sprinkled with poems by other literary luminaries, the likes of
Lewis Carroll and Willa Cather, and music composed by Laura Karpman,
the Wilde Holiday is an elegant alternative to the conventional
holiday fare.
Adapter/Director Sabin Epstein has created a pristine setting that
allows the words and meanings to float, settling comfortably over the
audience. For those who like to be a little wild at Christmas, this
is definitely Wilde at its very best.
