The six-person cast (with two fine mummers playing Gwynplaine at different ages) has gleefully mastered the humorous, stylized form of silent acting required by this form of entertainment, directed assuredly by Stolen Chair co-founder Jon Stancato from a script (if "script" is the right word) by Kiran Rikhye. But, as in any circus, equally important in this production is the technical work, notably the lighting design by Daniel Winters, the dusky sets by Michael Minahan, the leering makeup by Jaclyn Schaefer and Stephanie Cox-Williams, and the overall technical direction by Peter Russo, who has worked with the remarkable puppet troupe Wakka Wakka. This team has created a bright, vivid world on a stage drained of color and voices, fashioning a truly unusual entertainment. The Man Who Laughs runs through Feb. 24 at Urban Stages. Visit the Stolen Chair website for tickets and more information.
"A sinister cabal of superior writers."
Article comments
1 - Igor
Interesting. I've seen the original silent film (I have a video dub of it here someplace).
IIRC there is at least one "Wallender" episode titled "The Laughing Man".
2 - Tom Ciorciari
Saw a performance of this amazing show last Thursday night. For afficionados of not only of left-of-center theater, but silent film as well. Brilliantly scripted, staged and acted. Technically breath-taking. The audience I saw this performance with loved every second. A must-see for anyone who truly loves theater; pure visual poetry!