Capitol Hill Times's Review of Ghost Sonata

Reviewed by Rosemary Jones

Creative staging for Open Circle

When the local theater company Open Circle doesn't have a theater, the choices for performance space are limited.

Open Circle did borrow Theater Schmeater for a recent production of "R.U.R." But space is tight on Capitol Hill and this has left the company looking at more unusual alternatives.

"The only other people with occupancy licenses were bars and churches. I just didn't feel our current play would work in a bar," said Andrew Justus. Justus is directing "Ghost Sonata" for Open Circle, a company left homeless by development in south Lake Union.

The solution was a "perfect space" for Strindberg's horrific yet spiritual play: The All Pilgrims Church at 500 Broadway E.

"When I first checked out the space, I went to the services. They are all about embracing people's beliefs and they emphasize all are welcome," Justus said.

The collaboration between All Pilgrims and Open Circle has been equally pleasant, he added.

Staging "Ghost Sonata" in a church helped cut down on set expenses. In the play, a young man is drawn into a macabre dinner party by an older gentleman. During the course of the evening, he meets vampires, mummies, and other strange members of the old man's extended family. At the end of the evening, he may find that it is easier to enter the house than to leave it.

Open Circle uses a minimal set that can be packed up between performances and relies on the interior of the church to give the play its "rich atmosphere," according to Justus.

Celebrating the play's 100th anniversary in a church made sense to Justus. "It's about a young man trying to maintain his spirit as he enters the world for the first time," the 29-year-old director said. "Performing in the church's sanctuary gives it a definite feeling that I like."

Also, All Pilgrims' message of acceptance and hope fit well with his interpretation of Strindberg's "Ghost Sonata."

"It can be a dark play, but, at the same time, I didn't want it to be a downer," explained Justus. "There's a certain cynicism in Strindberg's writing, and we are respectful of that, but the piece also does lead to a bit of a catharsis."

The church's piano and organ will be used during the evening. "We're taking full advantage of having these instruments," Justus said.

August Strindberg's play was an experiment in 1908, not terribly well-received by his peers. Over the years, "Ghost Sonata" has picked up a reputation as a challenging work, well worth the actors' efforts and the audience's time. Ingmar Bergman directed four stage versions during his lifetime and many of the plays themes can be seen in Swedish film director's darker works.

Preparing a cast of 13 for "Ghost Sonata" makes this one of Open Circle's most ambitious projects.

"It's the biggest cast that I've ever dealt with," said Justus. "But I'm confident that we can pull this off."

The company reviewed several translations of the Swedish play, adapted a modified version prepared by Justus and friend.

"It has quite a history of being reworked in translation," noted Justus, adding that he tried to find a script that stayed true not only to Strindberg's philosophy but also his dark humor.

Getting the actors to trust the language of "Ghost Sonata" was a big part of his job in the early days of rehearsal, Justus said. "You have to take the lines literally. Once you do that, it takes you to a unique place in creating this weird world."

Luckily, Open Circle has a company of actors ready to go to the weird side. Most of the Open Circle productions deal with supernatural themes. The company is best known for producing original works based on the stories of horror writer H.P. Lovecraft.

So taking on a Swedish play where people literally decay on stage or suck the life out of others didn't seem like such a huge stretch.

"We like to explore humanity in a way that doesn't confine to reality," Justus said. "Although, at this point in rehearsal, directing a light comedy next does have a certain appeal."

Instead, Justus' next project may be an all-musical version of "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde."

"A composer friend had the idea of telling a story completely through the music and no dialogue. I though it would be an interesting way to do Jekyll and Hyde since it is such a well-known story," he said.

For now, however, Justus is concentrated on the vampires, mummies, and other strange creatures populating "Ghost Sonata."

"This play was a challenge for me," he said. "But since I have come to study it, 'Ghost Sonata' has become more personal for me too."

Open Circle's production of "Ghost Sonata" opens April 11 at All Pilgrims Church, 500 Broadway E. More information can be found at www.octheater.com. "Ghost Sonata" runs through May 10.

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