The Goat (or Who is Sylvia?)

From: "will stackman" profwlll@yahoo.com

Subject: Quicktake - "The Goat" by Edward Albee

Date: Sat. Feb. 25, 12:07 AM

Quicktake on THE GOAT OR WHO IS SYLVIA?

     "The Goat" (or Who is Sylvia?) by Edward Albee is either the darkest comedy the dean of American Absurdist has ever written, or the first postmodern tragedy. Indeed, as director Spiro Veloudos mentions, the additional subtitle is ''Notes toward a definition of tragedy." Whatever this provocative drama is, the Lyric's production is at the highest level. Multiple award winner Paula Plum plays Stevie, the wronged wife, with range and brilliance. Stephen Schnetzer, who was brought in to replace the original male lead, brings his experience in the role on Broadway and in Washington to Martin, the bedeviled husband. He meshes perfectly with Plum. Richard Snee as Martin's best friend Ross, who knowingly precipitates disaster for his friends, plays the superficiality of that role perfectly. And young Tasso Feldman is convincingly callow as Stevie and Martin's gay teenage son Billy.

     Albee isn't shy about including everything from classical references to passing references to some of his own plays in the dialogue, constantly providing a supertext to the evolving family catastrophe caused by hapless Martin falling in love with a goat. Since the audience is aware of this incredible premise from the first, the ostensibly realistic start to the first scene of the play is already fraught with Absurd double meanings. By the second, when Stevie starts breaking various object d'arte around the set, a stunning modern living room by Brynna C. Bloomfield, there's a feeling that things really might get out of control. And in the brief third scene, the final moments are shattering as in an ancient tragedy. Considerably shorter than many of his notable works, the play packs every bit as much punch.

    This script ranks with Albee's Pulitzer prize winners; "A Delicate Balance", "Seascape", and "Three Tall Women". "The Goat" won the Tony, but like his first important play, "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf" was passed over for the more prestigious literary award. Like most of his work, the play centers around family relationships and the potential destructive power of love, whatever form it takes. Whether or not any of the action refers to the playwright's own life story is immaterial.

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"The Goat" by Edward Albee, FEB. 24 - MAR. 18

Lyric Stage Co.

140 Clarendon St., Copley Sq. (617) 585 - 5678
Lyric Stage Co.