Zoo Story triumphs with careful acting, direction

Simple production decisions appropriate for Albee's very complex script

The set for this weekend's production of Edward Albee's Zoo Story in Little Theater is far from complex. With a Beckett-like stage setting - two green benches and a garbage can - an attentive audience member knows that the play itself will be anything but simple.

In fact, the genius behind Albee's single-scene play is his use of elementary premises and simple scenarios to emphasize the intricate complexities and struggles of human life. Zoo Story seeks to provoke audience consideration of - for example - the imperfections of communication, relationships both with the self and other, loneliness and possession of territory, fear and anger.

The complicated elements of Albee's script make Zoo Story a difficult play to produce.

Despite potential pitfalls, however, the Oberlin Student Theater Association's production directed by senior David A. Ellis was smooth and continuous.

Although the intent of the script is multi-faceted, the action of the play is minimal. The extended scene consists of two men, two benches, a 'conversation' and a struggle.

The cast members, former student Roger Baker (Jerry) and first-year Mathieu Huot (Peter), are most responsible for the play's success, as they never break character. This is especially difficult for Huot, whose character must sit still in one position for a large portion of the performance. While he admits that he had "many focus troubles up to this week," Huot plays his part beautifully.

While Huot's character, Peter, is according to the program notes "neat, ordered, well-to-do, and conventional," (not to mention soft-spoken and somewhat reticent), Barker's Jerry is brisk and overly verbose.

Played by an actor with mediocre talent, Jerry might have appeared irritating or silly. Barker's physical portrayal of Jerry, however, add energy and understanding to Jerry's script.

Prior to OSTA's production of Zoo Story, Barker had performed parts of the play which may explain his comfort with Jerry's character. Barker is particularly on fire when delivering his monologue about Jerry's landlord's dog; rapid in both speech and movement, Barker exhibits a strong understanding of his character. Of his performances, Barker says, "They're never the same."

Ellis mentioned that Little Theater has been a great space to direct a play that he read in high school and loved. He has wanted to direct Zoo Story ever since then, and now has the opportunity to demonstrate the differences between script and performance.

While Ellis stays almost precisely to the original script - a favorable decision - his direction does indeed enhance understanding of the play through visual aspects. A highlight of Ellis' direction occurs within the first minute. Jerry loudly kicks the garbage can to attract Peter's attention, a stage direction which was not specified in Albee's script.

Indeed, most directions are "suggested" by Albee, as is the set. By staying close to Albee's original intentions, Ellis also made the decision to provide a technically barebone show. Lighting is the only addition to the set and performers; subtle and unnoticed, the lighting does not detract from the show, but rather illuminates the performers' engagement with the script.

And the script is fabulous.

Albee-lovers who are familiar with Zoo Story or other works will certainly gain insight from most any production of the play. Those who are of yet unfamiliar with Albee's work should introduce themselves to great theater with OSTA's weekend production.

Zoo Story will be performed this Friday and Saturday night at 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. in Little Theater. Tickets are $2.