PICKSINSIX Review: CRIME AND PUNISHMENT

AMBITIOUS CRIME AND PUNISHMENT EXPLORES RETRIBUTION

Ambitious and absorbing … Shattered Globe Theatre launches their 28th season with an ambitious and absorbing ensemble production of Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s Crime and Punishment now playing at Theater Wit. Adapted by Chris Hannah and directed by ensemble member Louis Contey, the crime-thriller is set in mid-19th century St. Petersburg and features the compelling performance of Drew Schad as the tormented anti-hero, Raskonokov, whose murderous acts and retribution are central to the story.

The perfect crime … In the quietest moments of Raskolnikov’s contemplation, an inner voice reasons that life is no longer worth living. Consumed by poverty and clinging to a long and sordid financial arrangement with a pawnbroker which is his only source of income outside of the money his mother sends, Raskonokov plots the perfect crime to rid himself of her hold over him, rob her, and gain some small amount of financial security.

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Superbly intense … With the deed done, Raskolnikov’s conscience rages as he alternates between taking steps to cover his tracks and emboldening authorities to arrest him, spiraling into the dark state of denial of a guilt-ridden man. Schad’s superbly intense, driven performance explores the full range of fear, pathos and manic delusion of a man on the edge of madness.

Outstanding ensemble … Among the many desperate and flawed characters in Rasholnikov’s world is Marmeladov (Darren Jones) whose daughter Sonya (Ilse Zacharias) has become a prostitute and broken his spirit. Rasholnikov is also troubled by the news that his sister Dunya (Christina Gorman) has accepted an ill-advised marriage proposal and enlists his comrade, Razumikhin (Joseph Wiens) to help break it off. As the investigation proceeds, Rashonikov’s relationship with Sonya flourishes and he must face the consequences of his actions. Rounding out the outstanding ensemble who alternately play multiple featured roles are Rebecca Jordan, Jazzma Pryor, Daria Harper, Christopher Acevedo, Brad Woodward and Patrick Thornton.

Richly textured landscape … The brooding original music and ensemble vocals by composer Christopher Kriz add a powerful element to the work. Nick Mozak’s period, rustic bi-level set, with Shelley Strasser’s dynamic lighting and Hailey Rakowiecki’s costumes all intersect to create a richly textured landscape for the audience on both sides of Wit’s Theater Three.

Master classes … Shattered Globe Theater continues to develop new talent with its 2018-2019 Protégé Program. The program, now its ninth-year trains young artists in all aspects of Ensemble theater, including master classes with Ensemble members, with a goal of guiding protégés into the Chicago professional theater community. The program is free to participants and is headed this year by Nate Santana and Drew Schad.

PHOTOS|Michael Brosilow

Shattered Globe Theatre
Presents
CRIME AND PUNISHMENT
Theater Wit – Theater Three
1229 West Belmont
through October 20th
(773) 770-0333

WEBSITE

SGT Protégé Program

For more reviews, visit: Theatre In Chicago

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