Theater Online - New York Theater Reviews

Euripides' "The Trojan Women" is among the most performed of the Greek tragedies, and its stinging, lyrical grief at what war does to people will always remain fresh. It provides four juicy roles for actresses: Hecuba, the dethroned queen of Troy, Cassandra, her mad daughter, Andromache, her bereaved daughter-in-law, and Helen, the amoral woman whose face launched a thousand ships. In the Chekhov Theatre Ensemble's production of the play, only one actress rises to the occasion. Dana Panepinto's Cassandra is lewd and despairing, a profane Ophelia, and she provides the production with a jolt of energy which it sorely needs.

The Chekhov Theatre Ensemble is dedicated to teaching children through theater, and this makes sense, because their version of "The Trojan Women" seems like a high school production. Jennifer Shirley's Hecuba is vocally loud and throws her arms up to the Gods a lot, but she acts like Carol Burnett trying to play a tragic role. Not once does she seem to be really grieving—she's completely disconnected from her part. Andromache is a woman who has to watch as her son is taken off to be killed. Andrea Seigel plays her like a gabby housewife complaining about the price of eggs. Finally, Anne Sorce's Helen strikes sultry poses, but she never conveys the strength of her character. During Helen's scenes, the tone switches wildly to a Jerry Springer-style talk show format. While this is a facile (and dated) idea, it does lighten the monotony of the inadequate acting and direction of the rest of the play. It is a tribute to Euripides' talent that even in so inept a staging as this his ideas about justice and nothingness still sometimes come through.