BWW Reviews: TSW's THE NIGHT OF THE IGUANA is Absorbing and Suspenseful
By: David Clarke Apr. 21, 2013
Theatre Southwest is currently producing a fascinating production of Tennessee William's thrilling and tense THE NIGHT OF THE IGUANA. The 1961 drama is set at The Costa Verde Hotel in Puerto Barrio on the West Coast of Mexico in the summer of 1940. The Reverend T. Lawrence Shannon is leading a tour group of Baptist women from Texas through Mexico, but makes an unplanned stop at the hotel, which is owned and operated by his friend, Maxine Falk. Over the course of the afternoon and evening, Shannon slowly unravels, exposing his secrets and sins. An impoverished and entirely broke New England spinster, Hannah Jelkes, and her aging grandfather, a poet losing his mind, arrive at the hotel as well. Without any money, the duo hopes to lodge at the hotel with the promise to earn some money and pay upon checkout.
Mimi Holloway, keeping the attention of the audience even when Tennessee Williams' dialogue seems to ramble on through lengthy scenes of character explanation and development, skillfully directs the play. Under her reigns, the play is taut and delightfully thought provoking. Any problems with pacing are the fault of the writer, as Tennessee Williams thoroughly explores and exposes more of the characters than modern audiences are used to.
Scott McWhirter masterfully plays The Reverend T. Lawrence Shannon, making the audience nervous as he experiences his break down bit by but. His mental unraveling is profoundly affective, garnering much sympathy and empathy. The mental destruction of Scott McWhirter's Shannon is deeply devastating, and mesmerizingly played.
As Hannah Jelkes, Tyrell Woolbert perfectly calculates each reveal of her character's intentions. With precision, Tyrell Woolbert carefully peels back each layer of her character, making the reveals intriguing and even shocking. There is definitely more than meets the eye to her Hannah Jelkes.
Lisa Schofield's Maxine Falk is not as sexualized as the text makes her sound; however, Lisa Schofield purposefully and adroitly plays up her jealousy. The audience is chilled by her coldness and contempt for Hannah Jelkes.
As the psychologically deteriorating poet, John Stevens brings phenomenal life to Jonathan Collins, affectionately called Nonno by Hannah. The audience sits on the edge of their seats, as he works to compose his final masterpiece. His recitation of the poem is splendid and evocative.
Barbara Dell and Helen Rios deftly play Miss Judith Fellowes and Charlotte Goodall. These women are the reason that Shannon wants to escape the tour he is guiding, and, with their earnest portrayals, the audience clearly understands his frustration and distress.
John Kaiser's Nazi supporting Herr Fahrenkopf and Kristi Nicholson's Frau Farenkopf add fantastic comedic relief, that is as ironic as it is rib-tickling.
Jason Tull as Hank, Jose Rivera as Pancho, Sam Martinez as Pedro, and Justin Holloway as Jake Latta all do strong work, complicating the plot for Shannon and adding attention-grabbing dynamics to the production.
Set Design by John Stevens is simply fantastic. For the primary performance space, he has created a veranda that is both inviting and beautiful. Also, he has impeccably created three distinct and separate rooms for the hotel. The audience only gets glimpses into each one, but the detail put into the design is astounding and impressive. Additionally, the floor painting by John Kaiser is gorgeous.
John Mitsakis' Lighting Design is effective and beautifully hued. Throughout the production, the lights transition from warm yellows and oranges to soft nocturnal blues. The pulsating white for the lightening is well timed as well.
Sound Design by Scott Holmes cleverly mixes in the horn of the bus, the German radio broadcast of the bombing of London, and thunder. My favorite element of the design is that the bus horn is loud and unnerving, helping the audience better relate Shannon's own despair every time he hears it.
Malinda L. Beckham's Costumes look great. Within the budget constraints of a community theatre, they are evocative of 1940s fashions without being pristine recreations. Nothing stands out as inappropriate and allows the audience to be easily transported back 70 years.
Theatre Southwest's production of Tennessee William's THE NIGHT OF THE IGUANA is an absorbing and suspenseful drama that is sure to engage and entertain audiences. This play is amazingly complicated and convoluted; however, this cast and crew work hard to ensure that the play beguilingly accessible and easy to follow.
THE NIGHT OF THE IGUANA runs at Theatre Southwest through May 4, 2013. For more information and tickets, please visit http://www.theatresouthwest.org or call (713) 661 - 9505.
Photos by Scott Homes. Courtesy of Theatre Southwest.
Hannah (Tyrrell Woolbert) tries to get her grandfather, Nono, back in the present with the help of Rev. Shannon (Scott McWhirter).
Shannon (Scott McWirter) listens terrified as Pancho (Jose Rivera) is glad to whisper in his ear all of the disgusting details.
The newly sent tour guide,(Justin Holloway) takes the bus keys away from Rev. Shannon (Scott McWhirter) as the bus driver (Jason Tull) holds the Rev. still.
The Rev. Shannon (Scott McWhirter) is held on to by the love-starved Charlotte (Helen Rios) very much to the displeasure of Miss Fellows (Barbara Dell).
German visitors (John Kaiser and Kristi Nicholson) take time to poke fun at the oldest living poet (John Stevens).
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