The Drama of Real Life

review by Mike Templeton

3/10/17

When most people witness the work of the great playwright Tennessee Williams, they are treated to a story of drama and truth. This truth is in many ways the drama of real life and the real chronicle of the human experience and the struggles which are associated with that experience.  The Night of the Iguana at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge was incredibly powerful and well done because it was beyond the boundaries of a decent play 

The abilities and talents of every member of the cast was unsurpassable. The all star cast featured many experienced, renown actors with extensive careers in television, film, and stage such as Bill Heck in his portrayal of the temperamental Reverend T. Lawrence Shannon, Dana Delany in her antagonistic role as Maxine Faulk, Amanda Plummer in her portrayal of the free spirit, Hannah Jelkes and her poetic grandfather Nonno played by James Earl Jones.  These performances were equally riveting and intriguing and have the viewer at the edge of their seat wondering how the character will respond to the choices and behaviors of the other character on stage.

The entire play conveyed an immense sense of realism starting with the captivating set design. The lighting portrayed the location of the play which was the beautifully stunning Mexican coastline.  This is a very sunny and warm climate which was also effectively conveyed in the lighting design. The sound captured the elements of the Mexican climate by producing realistic noises of wind, thunder, and intense rain which with a loud soliloquy from the Reverend Shannon brought the audience into intermission with some intense energy and emotion exuberated from the stage and into the audience.  What made this play so believable and entertaining was the fact that every actor was so committed and clearly understanding of how that character would behave and respond to the other character in the play in almost every situation of the story. Bill Heck and Amanda Plummer best demonstrated this level of character mastery in a sense primarily in the 2^nd act of the play when it comes to the realization of the audience that the Reverend Shannon (Heck) and Hannah Jelkes (Plummer) are romantic for each other and both of their life stories are very similar. This is because they are both unsatisfied and lonely looking back on their pasts, and Jelkes expresses her fear of loneliness once her aging grandfather Nonno (Jones) dies because she claims her true home to be her grandfather and their travels together. Jelkes finds true happiness and comfort in their close relationship and bond.  T

he play ends with the death of Nonno after he finishes his final poem and Jelkes tearful weeping because she is now living a life in sadness and isolation now that her ''home'' has been taken away.  This show was incredibly well done and conveyed the tone and drama of this rich story perfectly. The one thing to keep in mind while you are watching the play is which character might best represent the Iguana.