Brantley Raves Over Lauren Ambrose And ROMEO & JULIET

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 6/24/07 at 10:29pm

A battle of the elements is being pitched at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park, where “Romeo and Juliet” opened last night in a terrifically exciting new production, starring Lauren Ambrose as a Juliet truly to die for.

On the one hand there’s water, lots of it, in the form of a big, baffling pond that stretches across the stage, presumably for symbolic purposes, something to muse upon in perplexity as the actors slosh through it in rubber boots. On the other hand there’s the fire that rages in the blood of every performance, a conflagration so consuming that it threatens to turn the show into a collective funeral pyre.

Great news: Fire wins.
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For what Mr. Greif and his cast have achieved, and what most productions of “Romeo and Juliet” fatally lack, is a sense of infectious, instinctive urgency. Blood is boiling in everybody’s veins, whether from love or hate or an addling cocktail of the two, and it breeds impulsive action.
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As Juliet’s Nurse, the excellent Camryn Manheim (late of the series “The Practice”), talks fast and bawdily because it’s a way of pushing through the darkness in life, and she makes it clear that such pragmatism comes at a personal price. Mr. Pendleton’s Friar Laurence is an overgrown Boy Scout who can’t wait to fix things. And a brilliant Michael Cristofer finds a bipolar ferocity in Juliet’s father that makes his scenes with her, unusually, among the strongest in the play.

Mr. Isaac, last seen in the park as Proteus in “Two Gentlemen of Verona” two years ago, is sweetly and convincingly in thrall to his Juliet, a clumsy, overgrown puppy with the loyalty of a one-owner dog. But it’s Ms. Ambrose who gives the production its devastatingly torn heart.

Best known as the petulant Claire in “Six Feet Under,” Ms. Ambrose, who recently appeared on Broadway in “Awake and Sing!,” makes Juliet into a compelling bundle of mixed instincts. Even at 14, she’s the smartest person in Verona, capable of analyzing exactly what’s happening to her. Had she lived, she might have been a Viola or Rosalind, a Shakespeare heroine to tutor brash men in the finer arts of loving.

But because she is 14 (and you don’t doubt it), Juliet leads not with her head but her hormones. Every line she utters is infused with equal amounts of intelligence and impetuosity. She has enough erotic life force for both herself and Romeo, but Mr. Isaac gallantly contributes his share. And without a hint of the now usually obligatory nudity, this couple can make a drawn-out kiss light up the night, as Michael Friedman’s mood-enhancing (but never mood-pushing) music swells in the background.

Red-haired and luminously pale, this Juliet is a such a brightly glowing candle that the water motif at last makes perfect sense in that final, fatal scene in the Capulet family tomb. It takes a whole lot of water to quench such a flame. But, ah my friends, before then, it gave a lovely light.


http://theater2.nytimes.com/2007/06/25/theater/reviews/25bran.html?pagewanted=1

Updated On: 6/24/07 at 10:29 PM

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 6/24/07 at 10:35pm

Add her to the list of Brantley's crushes.

And mine. She's a helluvan actor.
Updated On: 6/24/07 at 10:35 PM

[ElphieDefiesGravity]

Posted: 6/24/07 at 10:36pm

Wow, that's quite a rave. I thought she was great when I saw it.

[InfiniteTheaterFrenzy]

Posted: 6/24/07 at 10:37pm

Her performances in R & J AND Awake and Sing took my breath away. I think she's a tremendous actress, worthy of all his praise.

[colored by esteem]

Posted: 6/24/07 at 10:38pm

Yay!

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 6/24/07 at 10:45pm

I didn't have the chance to catch this last weekend but I really wanted to. She was definitely the highlight for me in SIX FEET UNDER and I wish I had been able to see her live on stage.

[bwayfan3]

Posted: 6/24/07 at 11:05pm

I just saw this beautiful picture of her in character and I thought Wow she is PERFECT for this. WHo knows if I'll get a chance to see this.

And what is up with the Romeo and Juliet renaissance? This, NYCBallet did a brand new production in early May and now American Ballet Theatre is doing their production this season as well.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 6/24/07 at 11:46pm

WOW. I can't remember the last time Brantley wrote a rave like that. And I respect his opinion too--I'm sorry I'm not able to see it.

By the way, Lauren Ambrose is BEAUTIFUL.

[gustof777]

Posted: 6/25/07 at 2:35am

Updated On: 6/25/07 at 02:35 AM

Posted: 6/25/07 at 6:24am

Been a fan since Can't Hardly Wait (and some claim that movie was a vehicle ofr Jennifer Love Hewitt...)

[broadwaybaby086]

Posted: 7/9/07 at 1:53am

I saw the last show tonight and loved the production! And I am still amazed that Lauren Ambrose has not aged since Can't Hardly Wait came out (dreadful movie; even as a twelve-year-old I had sense enough not to see it in theatres), especially having had a child.

I wish I had something more articulate to say about it, but I really enjoyed my night at the Delacorte. It didn't seem long, even though it ran just over three-hours, so that's a good sign. I look forward to A Midsummer Night's Dream.

[B3TA07]

Posted: 7/9/07 at 1:54am

Could we get any pictures posted...

[ashley0139]

Posted: 7/9/07 at 11:31am

I also saw it last night, and I was in awe. It was an absolutely beautiful show. I don't actually know that I've ever seen a professional production of Shakespeare, and it was incredible. I especially liked Lauren and Oscar. I thought Camryn was absolutely over the top, though. Beautiful production. I loved the set and the use of the water.

[JRybka]

Posted: 7/9/07 at 11:48am

remember when she did that great camp move... Psycho Beach Party? I love that movie.

She is one of the most underused and overtalented actresses around...

Her, Tea Leoni, and Dana Delany....

[sidjones09]

Posted: 7/9/07 at 1:39pm

I will add to the praise. It was a wonderful production, and Lauren Ambrose has completely won me over with this one. I too loved her in Six Feet Under and couldn't wait to see her in 'Awake and Sing'. She was amazing in that, and her Juliet just blew me away. One of those performances I will remember for years to come. I know everyone lives to see the Balcony Scene, but was it not just breathtaking?

1086

http://www.proofsheet.com/public_theater/rj/

[gustof777]

Posted: 7/9/07 at 1:51pm

sidjones wow! Thank you so much for posting those pics. They are stunning! I can't even begin to put into words how pissed I am that I missed this! Ambrose is amazing in everything I've seen her in and would've loved to see her performance.

[Anakela]

Posted: 7/10/07 at 2:30pm

random: Lauren Ambrose's episode of "Law & Order" is on right now on TNT- the one ripped from the headlines of the Glen Ridge rapists.