Travesties by Tom Stoppard at the Lantern

Although retired since 2014, I still relish opportunities to teach, write, and share opinions.
Travesties, an early masterwork by the legendary playwright Tom Stoppard is now at the Lantern Theater Company until October 9. It is a fine production of a rarely seen play which is full of wit and bizzarie. 
 
The Lantern Theater is an intimate theater which prides itself on presenting plays which often never again appear anywhere else, and more’s the pity, since many of their plays are fine indeed.
 
The Lantern also has a knack for attracting the finest talents, and this instance is no exception. To watch great talent perform so well is truly satisfying.
 
David Bardeen is Bennett, the butler, who seems queerly erudite and au courant for someone in service. He expertly polishes the role to lapidary brilliance. Leonard C. Haas as Henry Carr is one of those actors who may drive many a youth to pursue acting or totally frighten them away from the profession. He has speeches as long-winded as Wagnerian arias, where one has to wonder, does he have a photographic memory? Mr. Haas is indecently talented. Gregory Isaac as Lenin still makes many of us fondly recall him in his role in the brilliant Betrayal of seasons past. No less splendid are Anthony Lawton as James Joyce and Dave Johnson as Tristan Tzara. Of course, Morgan Charece Hall, Lee Minora, and Campbell O’Hare amaze and beguile.
 
Nick Embree’s Scenic Design was striking, and Christopher Colucci’s Sound Design was so spot-on as to be totally unnoticeable. The beautiful program booklet is  made all the more succulent with copious and intelligent notes from Meghan Winch. 
 
Come to the Lantern rested and refreshed, to better appreciate the playwright’s mercurial wit and corruscating talent.
 
Tom Stoppard’s Travesties is now at the Lantern Theater Company until October 9. Starting November 10, Marco Ramirez’ The Royale will take the stage. A Christmas Carol arrives December 3. 
 
Visit www.lanterntheater.org for more information.

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