Absolutely! {perhaps} from Constellation Theatre Company

What if our personal lives were up for discussion between meddling neighbors? What if two opposing facts could be true at the same time? What if “truth” were whatever we wanted it to be, acting as a fabricated idea to make life simpler?

Why would a married man and woman move to town and live in a separate home from the woman’s mother? Why would the man forbid his wife and mother-in-law to embrace?

Produced in cooperation with the Italian Cultural Institute in Washington, DC, Absolutely! {perhaps} asks all of these questions and more, and still manages to leave us laughing.

Signor Ponza’s (played with conviction by Michael Glenn) mother-in-law Signora Frola (played by Kimberly Schraf, who elicits our sympathy from the start) communicates with her daughter, Ponza’s wife (Lizzi Albert), through letters in a basket (or does she…?)

Every fifteen minutes of Luigi Pirandello’s absurdist play brings a new comical gimmick and layer to the “truth.” Ponza will claim that Frola is insane and Frola will claim that Ponza is insane. They will both claim to be pretending to be insane for the benefit of the other. Wherein lies the truth?

This new adaption of Pirandello’s 1917 play, originally titled Cosi è (se vi pare), or Right You Are, If You Think So, is by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Martin Sherman. It debuted in the West End of London in 2003.

Pirandello’s personal experiences with mental illness seep through in moments of ambiguous truth and madness. His wife suffered from mental illness, making her paranoid, jealous, and, at times, violent toward Pirandello and their children. She was placed in a mental institution in 1919, 40 years before her death, after living with Pirandello for 16 years.

Constellation’s ensemble cast shines: Sarah Pretz is poised and convincing as the kindly but “curious” Amalia Agazzi. Julia Klavans as her daughter Dina is winningly precocious and charming. Ashley Ivey is hilarious and thought provoking (a top-notch combo when trying to reach an audience) as the sassy and sharp Lamberto Laudisi. The highlight of the show is his act two monologue about illusions, truth, and ghosts (“People are so busy chasing after other people’s ghosts that they don’t see their own”).

A standout moment is Michael Glenn as Signor Ponza hearing Frola play the song his wife used to play on the piano. He stands by the door in either dismay, wonderment, or disgust. Your interpretation depends on whichever “truth” you have chosen.

Teresa Spencer is delightful as the quirky Signora Cini. Catherine Deadman and Matt Dewberry shine as Signor and Signora Sirelli, a flawed, but amusing couple. Other solid performances come from Julie Garner as the Mayor, Tyler Herman as the Inspector, Toby Mulford as Councillor Agazzi, and Connor J. Hogan as the Butler.

Scenic Designer A.J. Guban decorated the space with retro décor to great effect from Peg Leg Vintage Goods in College Park, Maryland. The theater is transformed into a Mad Men era living room, with a large round mirror ceiling fixture, plush chairs, and a bar to complete the picture. Guban’s lighting is also stellar.

From hunter green suits, to yellow gloves and beads, to popping orange earrings, Kendra Rai’s costumes are one of the defining features of Absolutely! {perhaps}.

Director Allison Arkell Stockman has done outstanding work breathing new life into this classic play (one of Pirandello’s first and most popular pieces). If Absolutely! {perhaps!} is any indication of the quality of Constellation’s work, I may be making many more trips to the U Street corridor.

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Absolutely! {perhaps} by Luigi Pirandello . Directed by Allison Arkell Stockman . Featuring Ashley Ivey, Michael Glenn, Kimberly Schraf, Catherine Deadman, Julie Garner, Lizzi Albert, Matt Dewberry, Tyler Herman, Connor J. Hogan, Julia Klavens, Toby Mulford, Sarah Pretz, and Teresa Spencer. Set and Lighting design: A.J. Guban . Costume design: Kendra Rai . Sound design: Palmer Hefferan . Produced by Constellation Theatre Company . Reviewed by Rebecca Ellis.

ABSOLUTELY! {perhaps}
Closes Nov 9
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