Eleanor

Vintage Theatre: March 4-27

                                                Deborah Persoff 

                                     (photo credit Margaret Norwood)

Deborah Persoff’s performance in the role of first lady Eleanor Roosevelt, is superbly nuanced and revelatory.

     This one-woman play penned by Mark St. Germain is as compelling as it is informative. Delving into her childhood as well as her marriage to Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the playwright illuminates the First Lady’s private torments and triumphs.

     Eleanor worked diligently for women’s rights. Her championing of racial equality was even met with certain members of the KKK putting a price on her head.

      Her marriage to Franklin Delano Roosevelt provided her a platform on which she was able to present new ideas upon the public stage. 

     In her portrayal of Eleanor, Ms. Persoff makes us aware that as the power behind the throne, she (Eleanor) was able to sway presidential opinion as this country recovered from the Great Depression and generated The New Deal.

      At certain moments Ms. Persoff is able to slip seamlessly into such personas as a hilariously puffed-up and self-absorbed Winston Churchill as well as her husband’s difficult mother.   

     The play is directed with great sensitivity by Christine Kahane (Marlowe Award for Best Supporting Actress in “Young Frankenstein”), who directed Vintage’s critically acclaimed production of “Shakespeare in Love” a couple of seasons ago. 

     Luke Rahmsdorff-Terry’s sound design is his usual professional work. His projection design, which delivers historical photos of Eleanor, enhances the proceedings by planting us firmly in the required historical moment.

     Cheryl Faulkner’s costume design is spot on.

    Run to get tickets.

 

For tickets go online at vintagetheatre.org or call the box office at 303-856-7830