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The Ohio University School of Theater is presenting "The Idiot," a whirlwind tale of gossip, money, love and mental illness, for the next two weeks.
Written by classic Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoyevsky, the novel was later adapted by David Fishelson, and is now under the direction of Jamie Lish, as part of her MFA thesis production at OU.
"In this highly theatrical adaptation of Dostoyevsky's classic novel, 19th century Russia meets 21st century America as a na ve prince struggles to find his way through a world torn between love and power, between virtue and corruption," according to a press release for the play.
"The Idiot," which previewed Wednesday evening, runs tonight through this Saturday and Feb. 22-25 at 8 p.m. in the Forum Theater in OU's Radio and Television Building.
After spending four years in a neurological clinic in Switzerland for his fits and supposed lack of intellect, the timid yet overly trusting Prince Leo Nikolayevich Myshkin (Chris Young) returns to Russia. Although he repeatedly states that he does not take well with women due to his mental illness, he finds himself tangled in a web of love between the rich and beautiful Nastasya Filipovna (Emily Williams) and the shy, childlike Aglaya Yepanchin (Laura Ornella). Both women are already involved in confusing love triangles; Nastasya is to marry Ganya Ivolgin (Brian Steele), who wants her 75,000 rubles, but himself is in love with Agalya, while Paryfon Rogozhin (Max Monnig) is trying to win over Nastasya with his over-the-top passion and excessive amounts of money.
Despite their already complicated love lives, Nastasya and Agalya both immediately fall into love with Myshkin. Nastasya is overcome by Myshkin's honesty and leaves her fate with Ganya up to him, while Aglaya is embarrassed to publicly announce her feelings of true love to her family.
The play goes back and forth as the two women decide whom they want to marry, while Myshkin descends into his own troubles.
Interesting characters are developed within the play through mini and intertwining plots; most of them lead to Nastasya and her power over everyone she comes into contact with. "The Idiot" takes unexpected dark and twisted turns, keeping the audience on their toes as they try to figure out the ultimate fate of Myshkin.
As Myshkin, Young captivates the audience with realistic responses and timing. His small figure physically displays his weakness to those who overcome him with their intelligence and deceit.
Williams as Nastasya takes over the stage with her powerful presence and passionate delivery. Her leather jacket and short, dark hair capture the essence of a dominant Russian woman. Williams can fall mercurially into deep depression and then bounce back to her forceful emotions within moments.
Monnig's Paryfon is a mix between a Russian mobster and a sensual Gaston from "Beauty and the Beast," as he pines for the love of Nastasya. His intense need for the femme fatale is beyond believable, as he will do anything to be with her.
As Agalya, Ornella develops a strong poise on the circular stage. Her energy is perfected for a role in which Agalya stands up for what she believes in, and then plummets into embarrassment and mockery.
In the Forum Theater, the actors' backs are turned and nothing is played strictly to the audience surrounding them. Set design is minimal, yet the dust and fog illuminated by the lights capture the mental fog many of the characters are in. Scene changes are retain the sense of theater as The Reader (Bianca Sams) narrates the descriptive background and character traits that are not shown on stage.
Myshkin repeats, "It's as though I was an idiot," throughout the play, as characters go back and forth, treating him as if that's all he is. Will he recover from almost being an idiot, or will he fall back to his ways as he's torn between what he truly wants and what others want from him?
For ticket information call 593-1780 or go to the Fine Arts Ticket Office in Memorial Auditorium. OU students are admitted for free.
