Director Jon Beidelschies and the Boulevard Ensemble Theatre presented an adequate adaptation of Niccolo Machiavelli's "The Mandrake" as their final production of the 2004-'05 season.
In the farce, Callimaco (Joe Fransee) has fallen in lust with his neighbor, a young married woman named Lucrezia (Julia Herro Gilling, a 2004 Marquette graduate). Lucrezia and her husband, Nicia (James Jonas), are desperate for a child, but have not conceived after six years of marriage.
Callimaco enlists the help of his servant Siro (Dean Mantzavrakos), a "professional interloper and schemer" Ligurio (Colleen Couillard), a rather corrupt priest Father Timoteo (Tom Dillon) and the young woman's own mother Sostrata (Maureen Dornemann). The crew is able to concoct a scheme tricking dim-witted Jonas into letting his wife to sleep with another man in order to get her pregnant.
Two other women, Emily C. Zempel and Chelsea Mayer, a student at Marquette's School of Dentistry, add to the sexual tension and innuendos throughout the show.
Beidelschies, a 2001 graduate of Marquette, updated the classic 1600s play to 1950s New York City's "Little Italy." He also changed Machiavelli's original songs to 1950s classics such as "Mambo Italiano" and references that were specific to Florence.
For the most part, the changes worked well with Machiavelli's original script. There were a few instances where the changes seemed slightly out of place, but overall maintained the original intention of the sexual farce, including the religious aspects.
The updated songs didn't always seem to flow well with the script; however, Zempel, Mayer, Dornemann and Mantzavrakos did an excellent job of singing the acapella songs on key and with attitude. With the exception of Mantzavrakos, the characters' costumes were well suited to the period change, as was the set.
The lighting, though simple, contributed greatly to the overall atmosphere and provided excellent cues to distinguish between day and night without making the set too dark or bright.
Overall, the cast's performance was uneven but entertaining. Though the plot is centered on Gilling's character, she appeared on stage the least. But she gave the most consistent performance. Jonas, playing an educated but not street-smart lawyer, was also very consistent in his portrayal.
Fransee's performance seemed uncomfortable at first, but he adjusted as the play progressed, giving an acceptable portrayal of a man so moved by lust, he would do anything to bed Lucrezia.
Mantzavrakos and Couillard played their parts well, though the expressions and gestures at times were too much. Almost unceasing sexual innuendos, including a very long, plastic, strap-on nose and suggestive mannerisms, were a bit overwhelming.
Machiavelli attempted to add some seemingly profound statements, such as the priest saying that given the choice between a certain good and an uncertain evil, one must choose the certain good. Unfortunately, the overall silliness of the show and the preposterous idea of the plot overshadow any serious ideas presented.
"The Mandrake" is an entertaining look at the lengths some will go for sex. The young cast has room for improvement, but gives the audience more than just a few laughs.
Grade: B
"The Mandrake" runs through April 24th at the Boulevard Ensemble Theatre located at 2252 South Kinnickinnic Ave. More information is available by calling 414-744-5757.
This article appeared in The Marquette Tribune on April 14 2005.