Trinity’s edgy “Crime and Punishment” is not your father’s Dostoyevsky. Adapted by Marilyn Campbell and Artistic Director Curt Columbus, “Crime and Punishment” is an abridged retelling of Fyodor Dostoyevky’s famous novel of the same name.
The play is performed by a cast of only three: Dan Butler and Rachel Christopher play several roles each, and repertory member Stephen Thorne plays the protagonist, Raskolnikov.
I’ve never seen Butler before, and boy was it a treat to watch him in this play. Christopher is a Brown/Trinity MFA grad, and held her own on stage with Butler and Thorne. Thorne has always been a favorite of mine, and his performance in “Crime and Punishment” was no exception. It was captivating to watch him struggle with his demons and ultimately succumb to them.
The other major player in this production was the audio/visual component. To start, the actors had a wonderful set by the incomparable Eugene Lee: a smattering of encyclopedia volumes, musty couches, soiled blankets and industrial lights combined to make a motley room.
Then, under the direction of Brian Mertes, a team of lighting and A/V masters joined forces to add another dimension to the play. Several cameras were set up around the stage that provided haunting live projections of the actors. Microphones dotted the stage too, and were used by the cast to accent particularly weighty parts of their speech. Sometimes Butler or Christopher sat at an electric keyboard situated on the stage and plunked out a chilling series of chords.
The concept of the production mirrored the play itself: abstract and eerie.
“Crime and Punishment” is performed in one, 90-minute act. To me, it’s not really something you fully understand until the last word. On press night, there were a lot of thoughtful “mmm’s” during the final blackout. But the confusion and eventual comprehension is worth the wait; it’s a satisfying, dark journey alongside the ill-fated Raskolnikov.
For a night of theater that will efficiently stimulate your eyes, your ears and your mind, don’t miss Trinity’s take on “Crime and Punishment.”
“Crime and Punishment” runs now through Feb. 24 in Dowling Theater at Trinity Repertory Company, 201 Washington Street, Providence. For tickets, visit www.trinityrep.comor call 401-351-4242.
Kim Kalunian
An award-winning journalist and theater critic – and a performer at heart. Kim’s talents have taken her from the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in NY, to stages in Boston and Providence’s own Trinity Repertory.
