BWW Reviews: DOCTOR CALIGARI Haunts at Pointless Theatre

Adaptation from screen to stage is risky business. The songs can lose their magic, the characters can feel empty, and you can find yourself comparing - or missing - what you once loved about the original story. However, in some cases, an adaptation can shine and may make you love a story even more.

This is the case for Pointless Theatre's haunting performance of Doctor Caligari. Adapted from the 1920 German expressionist silent horror film, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, Pointless Theatre's Doctor Caligari pays homage to the classic film while adding their own unique elements. Directed by Matt Reckeweg, this original adaptation provides a riveting and unforgettable descent into madness.

The story revolves around the mysterious Dr. Caligari and his carnival attraction, Cesare the somnambulist. Cesare lives in a death-like sleep but obeys all of the doctor's commands. After a string of violent murders, a young man named Francis is pushed to the brink of insanity as he seeks to save the life of his fiancee and to learn the true identity of Dr. Caligari.

The play sticks to a significant aspect of a silent film - no talking but written dialogue, which appears on a screen above the stage. As a result, the play feels as though you are watching a silent film come to life. The play is consistent with the film's plot but uses fewer cast members for multiple roles - a device not used in the original film. Additionally, a few ensemble members (Madeline Key, Scott Whalen, and Lee Gerstenhaber) act as "menacing spirits" who add to the chaotic and creepy atmosphere. The entire ensemble gives a solid performance, and as a result, create a fantastically disturbing show. In particular, Lex Davis (Doctor Caligari) creates a Caligari to fear, and Frank Cevarich (Francis) has a tragically sincere descent into insanity. The cast successfully captures the physical demands required in German expressionist cinema, such as hunched backs, twisted necks, and curling fingers.

Patti Kalil (Set and Prop Designer) impresses with her black and white construction of a haunting expressionist landscape filled with jagged edges, abstract lines, and winding landscapes in such a small space. Characteristic to many Pointless Theatre productions, puppets and masks have key roles in the play, accentuating the audience's slip into the nightmare. Navid Azeez's lighting design is monochromatic, which is similar to the color tinting common in film during the 1920's. In general, the lighting is meticulously designed and often creates the atmosphere and character commentary. Devastating shadows also torment Francis during some of the play's darkest moments.

The costume designs (Frank Labovitz) are simple and blend with the visual goals: the Cesare puppeteers' shirts elongate their curling necks; the cut of Francis' pants create sharp angles for his thin legs. The dark and exaggerated makeup is also a tribute to silent films and stresses the characters' shaky mental states. Finally, the show includes both pre-recorded musical tones and a live string trio playing an original score by Music Director Michael Winch. Not only is the musical performance superb, but the musicians also descend into the story's madness.

Pointless Theatre's Doctor Caligari is an impressive, fun, and spine-tingling journey. The show is the complete package for an original screen-to-stage adaptation and will provide a memorable - and haunting- evening.

Doctor Caligari plays at Pointless Theatre's Mead Theatre Lab (916 G Street NW) through April 4.

Running time: 70 minutes with no intermission.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.pointlesstheatre.com.

Photo credit: C. Stanley Photography

To post a comment, you must register and login.