- May 4, 2024
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Do Palm Coast residents recognize John Sbordone’s City Repertory Theatre, now celebrating its fifth season, for its Broadway-quality artistic brilliance, to be found nowhere else in this region?
I’m moved to this vein of enthusiastic wonderment after seeing CRT’s Sunday matinee performance of “God of
"They experimented in rehearsals, teetering on the absurd to find truth in the moment."
— John Sbordone, director
Carnage.” This production, with its cast of four actors — all local — would command $100-plus per seat on Schubert Alley. Alas, the two-weekend CRT run ends this Sunday, Nov. 8.
Sbordone doesn’t shrink from the most daunting theatrical challenges. Just the opposite: He seeks them out, creates magic in his intimate, 50-seat theater. Last month it was “Godspell.” This month, it’s the 2009 Best Play Tony Award-winner, written by the acclaimed young French playwright and actress Yasmina Reza.
In his director’s notes, Sbordone acknowledges, "Ever since we produced Yasmina Raza’s ‘ART’ in our first season, I’ve wanted to direct another of this brilliant writer’s plays. Her ability to find humor in all aspects of the human condition is truly significant.”
“God of Carnage” is a black comedy, in which four contemporary adults — two otherwise responsible, respectable couples — rip the stuffing out of one another, tear up the scenery, have the time of their lives.
seeTwo 11-year-old boys — their sons, friends — had a fight. One hit the other in the mouth with a stick, seriously damaging two teeth. Parents meet. Carnage happens. As many reviews proclaim, “A comedy of manners, without the manners.”
Sbordone recognized that in order to successfully direct such a complex play, he would need “an experienced, talented cast of fearless actors.” Did he ever succeed, with an extraordinary foursome: Peter Gutierrez and Bobbi Fouts as Michael and Veronica Novak; Eric P. Bohus and Sue Pope as Alan and Annette Raleigh.
“They experimented in rehearsals, teetering on the absurd to find truth in the moment,” Sbordone said. “That is a brave thing, a courageous thing, to bring Ms. Reza’s fearless play to life.”
The New York cast — James Gandolfini and Marcia Gay Harden as Michael and Veronica; Jeff Daniels and Hope Davis as Alan and Annette — all were nominated for Tony acting awards. (Harden won.) I’d be hard-pressed to select one of our local cast as “best.” They’re all dazzlingly wonderful.
City Repertory Theatre is at 160 Cypress Point Parkway (City Marketplace), Suite B207. Call 585-9415 or visit crtpalmcoast.com.
