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| Charlie (James Carpenter) and Nancy (Ellen McLaughlin) are frightened by the appearance of two big lizards, Sarah (Sarah Nina Hayon, center left) and Leslie (Seann Gallagher). (Photo by Kevin Berne) |
American
Conservatory Theater’s new artistic director, Pam MacKinnon, is making her
directorial debut there with Edward Albee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning “Seascape.”
It’s set on a
beach where a retired married couple, Nancy (Ellen McLaughlin) and Charlie
(James Carpenter) have just had a picnic lunch.
Nancy says
she’d like to spend the rest of their days going from beach to beach, while
Charlie just wants to rest. These differing desires lead into talk about their
relationship, which apparently has reached a turning point with their recent retirement.
Their
conversation is interrupted by the appearance of two human-size lizards, Leslie
(Seann Gallagher), and his mate, Sarah (Sarah Nina Hayon). Nancy and Charlie are
understandably frightened, but overcome their fear while remaining wary,
especially on Charlie’s part.
Although
Leslie and Sarah speak English, they don’t understand many concepts, especially
abstract ones like love. They become frustrated with the humans’ inability to
explain them.
Like Nancy
and Charlie, though, Leslie and Sarah are on the verge of change. They no
longer feel comfortable in the sea, yet they’re fearful of land. Nancy and
Charlie offer to help them with the evolution.
Much of the
first act is talky, a virtual monologue by Nancy. Hence it tends to drag until
the lizards show up.
The second
act is more interesting with interaction among the characters as they explore
their differences.
A fifth
character, so to speak, is the impressive set by David Zinn (with lighting by
Isabella Byrd). The opening night audience applauded when the curtain rose to
reveal a white sand beach in front of a high dune dotted with vegetation.
Behind the dune are the unadorned stage walls, catwalks and light banks.
Zinn also
designed the costumes, quite a feat for the lizards with their long tails and
reptilian limbs. Movement coach Danyon Davis makes their actions realistic.
Also adding
to the ambience is the sound design by Brendan Aanes, complete with lapping waves,
seagulls and an occasional low-flying jet.
All four
actors do well with their roles, which are more complex than they might seem on
the surface.
Running about
two hours with one intermission, “Seascape” will continue through Feb. 17 at
ACT’s Geary Theater, 415 Geary St., San Francisco.
