'Death' executed with subtlety and power

Seldom in theater is there a cast that realizes the potential of a great play, a cast so tight and talented that there is no weak link. The actors in "Death and the Maiden" make up one such cast.

Written by Ariel Dorfman, the play explores the concepts of human rights and torture and their repercussions. At the start of the play, Gerardo (Glenn Brown '09) has gotten a flat tire, and a stranger gives him a ride home to his wife, Paulina (Dominique Salerno '10). We learn that Paulina was held hostage during a past dictatorship, during which she was brutally raped and tortured. The stranger, Dr. Miranda (Dan Kublick '08), stops by Gerardo's house later that night, and Gerardo invites him to stay, a household mix that proves volatile.

Dorfman began writing this play in the late '80s when he was in exile from Chile, which was, at the time, a military dictatorship under the leadership of Augusto Pinochet. By the time Dorfman finished the play, Chile was again a democracy.

"Death and the Maiden," directed by Alex Ripp '08, is a dark, heavy play that runs a little over an hour and a half without intermission. From the start, it drags the audience into a world where no one can trust anyone else, and no one knows what he is capable of doing to another human being.

Not only is this a fantastic play that dares to dig into some of the most frightening parts of human nature, it also features a very strong cast. Salerno, Brown and Kublick are all wonderful in their roles, disappearing completely within their characters. Salerno's performance is particularly noteworthy for her strength and the fiery nature she gives her character. She makes it easy to believe that she is a woman who has suffered torture. Kublick also gives a solid performance; the audience remains unsure throughout the play whether he is the horrific perpetrator of torture or an innocent man.

But Brown gives the real knockout performance of the play, effortlessly portraying the sensitive, loving Gerardo. He slips into a much older character with ease. Salerno and Brown have great chemistry, and their level of comfort with one another is such that the audience has no trouble believing that Gerardo would do anything for his wife. His performance is precise yet understated, and the audience watches as he slowly unravels before their eyes.

The set of the show, designed by Jeremy Doucette, is beautiful. With hardwood floors and wood-paneled walls, great furniture and a dining area with detailed props, the set is simple, yet exudes the feel of an established, well-off home.

Overall, "Death and the Maiden" is a very impressive production. There are times when the actors don't quite seem believable, and, with such a difficult subject matter, there is a temptation for them to show the audience the trauma, rather than trusting that it will manifest itself. If the actors can believe in their own abilities to convey this powerful story next weekend, the show will be virtually flawless.

Bottom line: "Death and the Maiden" is the type of production that is not often seen on Princeton's campus, and it is not one to be missed.

Death and the Maiden :: Matthews Acting Studio

Pros:

Strong cast, true-to-life set, engaging script

Cons:

Acting occasionally forced.