When a third sibling, Ola, eventually arrives - even more painfully detached from his feelings than Hilde - is his old-fashioned three-piece suit meant to indicate a setting some time in the pre-cell phone past? And does that explain why the characters aren't phoning one another at the first sign of lateness or uncertainty, the way 21st century folks normally do?
Sunde leaves the characters from one scene on stage while the next takes place, with the actors brushing past each other and even occasionally touching, across time and awareness, producing a spooky tingle. In the hospital scenes, the actors string out their lines across what seems every fiber of their beings. They do the same with their pregnant pauses. Meanwhile, back at the house, the in-laws and friends verbally dance around their mutual discomfort. Through it all, repetition, sometimes excessive, infantilizes the stricken family, especially the daughters. This process rings harshly true, and is thrown into even higher relief by the light of their mother's tragic reduction to a creature of nonsense syllables.
Finally, the production values are high, matching the skill of the excellent cast.
Problematic but thought-provoking, and intermittently fascinating, funny, and insufferable, Sa Ka La is - or maybe isn't - a good introduction to the work of a major Scandinavian artist. Fosse doesn't like to explain his plays. Explaining isn't the point.
Sa Ka La runs through Sept. 27 at The Theatres at 45 Bleecker St. For tickets and further information, click here or call Telecharge at (212) 239-6200 or (outside the NY metro area) at (800) 432-7250.
Photos by Jim Baldassare. 1. Marielle Heller and Birgit Huppuch 2. Raymond McAnally
Article comments
1 - Alma Carey
Katherine Kates is a brilliant actress.
I had the privilege to meet her and work with her years ago in Los Angeles.
She should be a major star today.
A difficult and minimalist role such as this definitely requires extreme skill to infuse it with poignant humanity.
I expect this performance will bring Ms. Kates the recognition she so richly deserves.
By the way, cold, dark countries live life at these slow paces, so this tempo is natural for them.
2 - John M. Weeks
I too think Ms. Kates should have reached stardom years ago. She is superbly talented and consistenly delivers an outsanding performance. I first saw her perform many years ago and not been disappointed by her ability to act. She's a five-star!!
3 - David Berm
Ever since I saw Ms. Kates on Seinfeld years ago, I can't help but wonder why she hasn't risen to the top of her category. She is a fascinating actress with a very broad range. This woman should have her own series - or at least be a regular on one.