Review: “Pushkin”

A verse play Pushkin tells about the last turbulent years of the famous Russian poet in a refined production that lacks nothing but oomph.  

His name was Alexander, he was the pride of the entire nation and was tragically shot in a duel. No, I am not talking about Alexander Hamilton, but about Alexander Pushkin, the “Sun of Russian poetry” and father of modern Russian. No lesser a titan than his American namesake, Pushkin could easily become the center of a lush tragedy. Yet Jonathan Leaf chooses to follow a different path. His Pushkin, a verse play about the final years of the legendary 19th century author, is a sober-minded, reserved narrative. 

Ian Lassiter and Lexi Lapp in Pushkin. Photo by Carol Rosegg.

Sewn tightly into their detailed period costumes (by Elivia Bovenzi), with each piece of hair perfectly in its place (wig design by Tommy Kuzman), the actors move with grace and dignity, faithful to the period. Despite the bare minimalism of the scenery (Troy Hourie) dominated by scarlet carpeting, one feels truly immersed in the 19th century society life. There, the poet Alexander Pushkin (Ian Lassiter), the Tsar’s “favorite toy”, has to submit all the writing to Nicholas I (Gene Gillette) weekly.

Not only does the monarch claim the right of the last word before Pushkin’s verses go to print, he also feels himself entitled to the company of the poet’s beautiful wife Natalia (played with magnificent poise by Jenny Leona) at the balls. As somebody who was brought up in the palace, Pushkin knows the moves of political dances. Yet his liberal views, and the wish to write without censorship, get him in trouble. While the entire country is eager to read each new chapter of Eugene Onegin, Pushkin secretly writes Boris Godunov, a play in which another Russian Tsar dies on stage. 

Cards seem to take his mind away but then his debt grows and the relationship with the friends at the table crack. An almost religious devotion of his sister-in-law, Alexandra (Lexi Lapp), is fluttering and easy to fall for. Lapp’s embodiment of quiet Alexandra torn between passion and family honor is one of the play’s gems. The contrast between her open heart and constrained movements, with her gaze locked on the floor or the pages of the books she reads, tell more about her character than any lines. 

       

The melodic flow of Leaf’s verse creates a steady rhythm to which the director, Christopher McElroen, tunes the staging. I overheard somebody during the intermission calling Pushkin “a play of moving chairs”. Mute and nameless servants dressed in peasant attire quietly move the few pieces of furniture during transitions between the scenes giving us a chance to listen to fragments of Rachmaninoff, Prokofiev and Glinka, among many.

The music selection is as meticulous as every element of the visual design. The actors reciting verse with the ease of breathing evoke the elegance of high-ranking Pushkin’s circles. As my companion observed, Leaf’s text, although written in modern times, leaves an impression of a classical play. With all the elements of a successful production visibly in place, something imperceptible is amiss, namely the lack of charisma in performance by the lead man, Ian Lassiter. He seems too well collected and cool for all that’s happening, as if he doesn’t truly feel anxious about the gipsy’s mortal prophecy and thinks he is James Bond.                           

__________

Pushkin plays at Sheen Center at 18 Bleaker Street, through August 25th, 2018. Running time is 1 hour 45 minutes with one intermission. Tickets are $57 and are available at sheencenter.org and by calling 212-925-2812

Pushkin is by Jonathan Leaf. Directed by Christopher McElroen. Scenic Design is by Troy Hourie. Lighting Design is by Zach Weeks. Costume Design is by Elivia Bovenzi. Sound Design is by Andy Evan Cohen. Choreography is by Bruce Heath. Wig and Hair Design is by Tommy Kuzman. Prop Design is by Leila Ben-Abdallah.  

The cast is Ian Lassiter, Jenny Leona, Lexi Lapp, Olivia Gilliatt, Christopher Kelly, Gene Gillette, Lou Liberatore, Michael Earl Fajardo, Daniel Petzold, Kyle Cameron and Tracy Sallows.