REVIEW: "36 Views"

A Review

Art & Artifice

By R. J. Donovan

Dramatic kabuki influences, interesting staging and a compelling art world puzzle are all part of Naomi Iizuka's "36 Views" at the Huntington through April 10.

Against a backdrop of smuggling, forgeries and intriguing questions of authenticity, "36 Views" presents six characters facing dilemmas about validity — not only of the ancient works of art that preoccupy them, but also of their personal and professional relationships. Evan Yionoulis directs the very visual production with a creative hand.

Darius Wheeler is a high-profile art dealer. Is he a good guy on the up and up, or would he happily break international law for a price? As the script points out, some fakes are obvious. Other times, it’s hard to be sure.

Claire Tsong, a freelance art consultant, does project restoration work for Wheeler. She finds him arrogant and would dearly love to see him shot down.

John Bell , assistant to Wheeler, is devoted to his employer. But what if he himself had the chance to draw the attention of the international art world? That's exactly what happens when he has a hand in fabricating a bogus manuscript, a 10th Century Japanese courtesan's "pillow book."

Wheeler, meanwhile, has his eye on East Asian literature professor Setsuko Hearn, who becomes captivated by the courtesan’s ancient journal. She begins touting the work more out of the excitement of discovery than an accurate assessment of its worth.

The story lines ultimately twine together in a thoroughly satisfying evening that comes rushing to a head in its final moments.

As Wheeler, V Craig Heidenreich is all dashing smiles. The question is what lurks behind the smarmy grin.

As John, Brad Heberlee (left) is solid and credible as the guy who lurks in the shadow of his famous boss. One of Heberlee's best moments comes in a confession scene with Claire when he owns up to creating the phony book.

With a forceful stage presence, Jane Cho (at left with Heberlee) is wonderful as Claire, the outspoken spitfire. Whether lecturing John, criticizing the work of her peers or sparring with guests at the gallery opening, she's an unyielding force to be reckoned with.

Christine Toy Johnson is the scholar who grabs onto the project in a big way, hooking up with Wheeler, and then questioning her actions on both counts. She also doubles as the image of the courtesan (photo below).

Iizuka’s title for the play is a reference to The Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji, a series of woodblock paintings by Japanese artist Hokusai Katsushika. She has separated the play into 36 scenes to reveal plot points from different viewpoints.

The well paced script builds nicely to the first act cliffhanger. But Iizuka makes an odd choice in the second act when she inserts an elongated "getting to know you" conversation between Wheeler and Hearn. However, the detour is only temporary and the story is crowned with a few surprises.

Adam Stockhausen's striking set of handsome floating panels and sliding walls is inspired by Japanese architecture and aesthetics. Elegant projections add greatly to the ambiance of the play while the lighting by Chris Parry complements the set beautifully. Traditional Japanese Shakuhachi flutes and wooden clappers are used to mark both scene shifts and emotional thresholds.

The Huntington is to be commended for always providing interesting program notes for its featured production. In the case of "36 Views," the notes adds greatly to your enjoyment and understanding of the piece as they detail the Kabuki elements incorporated into the more traditional theatrical staging.

Among the kabuki traditions:

Hikinuki -- a type of quick costume change. An actor wears two costumes. The outer one is kept in place by threads, hiding the inner one which is revealed when the threads are pulled.

Kurogo -- stage attendants, completely dressed in black with their faces covered, are meant to appear invisible on stage.

Nagashime -- literally, “flowing eyes.” This is a sideways glance seen as the hallmark of a beautiful woman in ancient Japan and found in countless woodblocks depicting Kabuki actors.

"36 Views " is at The Huntington Theatre, 264 Huntington Avenue in Boston, through April 10. For information, call 617-266-0800 or log onto www.huntingtontheatre.org.

Production photos: T. Charles Erickson

-- OnStage Boston

3/18/05

			A Review Art & Artifice By R. J. Donovan Dramatic kabuki influences, interesting staging and a compelling art world puzzle are all part of Naomi Iizuka's "36 Views" at the Huntington through April 10. Against a backdrop of smuggling, forgeries and intriguing questions of authenticity, "36 Views" presents six characters facing dilemmas about validity — not only of the ancient works of art that preoccupy them, but also of their personal and professional relationships. Evan Yionoulis directs the very visual production with a creative hand. Darius Wheeler is a high-profile art dealer. Is he a good guy on the up and up, or would he happily break international law for a price? As the script points out, some fakes are obvious. Other times, it’s hard to be sure. Claire Tsong, a freelance art consultant, does project restoration work for Wheeler. She finds him arrogant and would dearly love to see him shot down. John Bell , assistant to Wheeler, is devoted to his employer. But what if he himself had the chance to draw the attention of the international art world? That's exactly what happens when he has a hand in fabricating a bogus manuscript, a 10th Century Japanese courtesan's "pillow book." Wheeler, meanwhile, has his eye on East Asian literature professor Setsuko Hearn, who becomes captivated by the courtesan’s ancient journal. She begins touting the work more out of the excitement of discovery than an accurate assessment of its worth. The story lines ultimately twine together in a thoroughly satisfying evening that comes rushing to a head in its final moments. As Wheeler, V Craig Heidenreich is all dashing smiles. The question is what lurks behind the smarmy grin. As John, Brad Heberlee (left) is solid and credible as the guy who lurks in the shadow of his famous boss. One of Heberlee's best moments comes in a confession scene with Claire when he owns up to creating the phony book. With a forceful stage presence, Jane Cho (at left with Heberlee) is wonderful as Claire, the outspoken spitfire. Whether lecturing John, criticizing the work of her peers or sparring with guests at the gallery opening, she's an unyielding force to be reckoned with. Christine Toy Johnson is the scholar who grabs onto the project in a big way, hooking up with Wheeler, and then questioning her actions on both counts. She also doubles as the image of the courtesan (photo below). Iizuka’s title for the play is a reference to The Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji, a series of woodblock paintings by Japanese artist Hokusai Katsushika. She has separated the play into 36 scenes to reveal plot points from different viewpoints. The well paced script builds nicely to the first act cliffhanger. But Iizuka makes an odd choice in the second act when she inserts an elongated "getting to know you" conversation between Wheeler and Hearn. However, the detour is only temporary and the story is crowned with a few surprises. Adam Stockhausen's striking set of handsome floating panels and sliding walls is inspired by Japanese architecture and aesthetics. Elegant projections add greatly to the ambiance of the play while the lighting by Chris Parry complements the set beautifully. Traditional Japanese Shakuhachi flutes and wooden clappers are used to mark both scene shifts and emotional thresholds. The Huntington is to be commended for always providing interesting program notes for its featured production. In the case of "36 Views," the notes adds greatly to your enjoyment and understanding of the piece as they detail the Kabuki elements incorporated into the more traditional theatrical staging. Among the kabuki traditions: Hikinuki -- a type of quick costume change. An actor wears two costumes. The outer one is kept in place by threads, hiding the inner one which is revealed when the threads are pulled. Kurogo -- stage attendants, completely dressed in black with their faces covered, are meant to appear invisible on stage. Nagashime -- literally, “flowing eyes.” This is a sideways glance seen as the hallmark of a beautiful woman in ancient Japan and found in countless woodblocks depicting Kabuki actors. "36 Views " is at The Huntington Theatre, 264 Huntington Avenue in Boston, through April 10. For information, call 617-266-0800 or log onto www.huntingtontheatre.org. Production photos: T. Charles Erickson -- OnStage Boston 3/18/05

		To receive an email Update when new pages are posted at OnStage Boston, click here.
		HOME • NEWS • LINKS • ARCHIVE • CONTACT
		© 2002-2004 RJD Associates. All Rights Reserved. No portion of this site may be reprinted or reproduced without prior written permission.