MAURITIUS

From: "will stackman" profwlll@yahoo.com

Subject: Quicktake - " Mauritius" by Theresa Rebeck

Date: Wed. Oct. 18, 11:33 PM

Quicktake on MAURITIUS

    Theresa Rebeck's new play " Mauritius" is receiving a powerhouse world premiere on the Huntington Theatre Co.s Wimberley stage at the BCA. The script, which was developed at Lark in NYC was read last spring during HTC's Breaking Ground series. It's since under gone further rewrites and is being directed by Woolly Mammoth's Rebecca Bayla Taichman , who's also continuing her collaboration with Rebeck in a remounting of "The Scene" at Second Stage in NYC. That show ran at last year's Humana Festival. Rebeck also opened another new play, "The Water's Edge" at Second Stage last spring.

    "Mauritius" is a modern melodrama with humorous overtones involving sibling rivalry and stamp collecting. The latter obsession allows for the plot complication, the former defines the character development. The excellent five actor ensemble centers around wild child Jackie played by Obie winner Marin Ireland and prim Mary, her older half-sister, played by Boston's favorite Canadian actress, Norton winner and Brandeis MFA, Laura Latreille. Their struggle is over Mary's grandfather's stamp collection which has been in their mother's possession since his death. Jackie wants to sell, Mary claims sentimental attachment and rightful ownership, even though she's not been around for a long time. Jackie, who took care of their mother during her long decline due to cancer has already started trying to find out what the collection's worth.

    The album contains two legendary very early "error" stamps from the British colony of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. She's met with seeming indifference from seedy stamp dealer, Peter, played by Robert Dorfman and been romanced by slick young operator, Dennis, played by Michael Aronov, who she meets at the stamp shop. Dennis ultimately makes a deal for her with a wealthy collector, belligerent Sterling, a shady Brit played by James Gale. And that;s just the start of the plot.

    While the show is predicated on past relations between Jackie and Mary leading to their present situation, between hanger-on Dennis and Peter, which seems somehow paternal, and some sort of prior incident between Peter and Sterling, the play, like most melodramas is about present actions. The ensemble does somehow seem like a tight dysfunctional family however, given to extended monologues, simultaneous arguments at crosspurposes, and devious often farcical personal confrontations. Jackie is the primary focus but Mary comes on strong in the pinch. Dennis is less a villain than a trickster, looking for excitement in the main chance. Further tweaking, when and if the show finds a future production, will heighten the intrigue.

    HTC as usual hasn't stinted on production values. Trinity's Eugene Lee, whose last Obie was for "Wicked," who got an IRNE for "Top Dog..." has created a very detailed shabby office as the main scene, with wagons which come out of the walls for alternate locations. Costumes chosen by peripetatic Miranda Hoffman and jarring original music by Martin Desjardins add unique touches. The script may undergo further development to tie up loose ends but is a crackling show at the moment.

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" Mauritius" by Theresa Rebeck, Oct. 6 - Nov.12

Huntington Theatre Co. in Wimberley Theatre

BCA Calderwood, 539 Tremont, Boston / (617) 933 - 8600

HTC