A scene from ‘The Metromaniacs’ Photo credit Carol Rosegg
Crazy antics take place on stage at a new production titled The Metromaniacs. It is funny, creative, and a most enjoyable show to see. Performing at 42nd Street Duke Theatre, this play comes from the Red Bull Theater and it runs through May 26, 2018. If you are someone who enjoys good word plays on language with some finessing and verse tossed in, this play is for you. The show has appeal for a wide range of audiences especially those who enjoy listening to the English language used in beautiful verse and superb presentation of ideas. A bit of background is in order to understand why.
The Metromaniacs is based on a French farce, La Métromanie,
by Alexis Piron. Piron lived from 1689-1773 and was one of the most widely produced comic writers of the 18th century. Writer David Ives, who is well known for his incredible writing style (The Liar, Venus in Fur, All in the Timing) came upon this work as he researched 17th and 18th century French comedies. Mr. Ives writes that La Métromanie is a comedy “with five plots, none of them important . On the other hand, that’s the beauty of the play, and part of its delight.”
The Metromaniacs is the third play from a successful partnership between David Ives as an “adaptor” and the director Michael Kahn. This show appeals to a wide range of audiences especially those who enjoy listening to the English language used in beautiful verse and superb presentation of ideas. Mr. Ives has said “I think everything should be in verse, ‘The New York Times’ and cookbooks should be in verse. Verse raises the level.” Verse certainly raises the level of this play. It provides a virtual feast for listening to language.
A scene from ‘The Metromaniacs’ Photo credit Carol Rosegg
The play is set in Spring, 1738 in Paris when poets and verse were all the rage. The plot centers around two young men who come to Francalou’s home in search of love. One, Damis, is a poet in search of a woman poet who he has never met but he believes he has finally located at this home. Dorante is not a literary source but in search of a wife. Their trials and tribulations tie in with Francalou’s desire to launch a new play he wrote. There is a great deal of mistaken identity which adds to the comedy and the toll it takes on the characters that is, until the very end. Then, the mistaken identity becomes a joyful experience for all involved and it grants an ending that might be a little far-fetched, but not really considering the circumstances.
Perhaps it is best to refer to what Mr. Ives wrote about The Metromaniacs to best understand the story. The play has “Characters drunk on language, mere mortals in love with poetry, fools in love with love. In other words, the way the world was meant to be.”
A scene from ‘The Metromaniacs’ Photo credit Carol Rosegg
The ensemble cast for The Metromaniacs includes Noah Averbach, Christian Conn, Adam Green, Peter Kybart, Adam LeFevre, Amelia Pedlow, and Dina Thomas. The versatility of the acting and the call to respond to comic antics create funny moments. For example, one of the props is what appears to be a fairly large sized boulder. However, when several players put their foot on it, the boulder shrinks down and the audience realizes it is nothing but an object that is soft. It is used several times during the play and it is funny every time.
Prepare to laugh and enjoy yourself when you go to see The Metromaniacs. Also, bask in the beauty of the language as it unfolds the story for you.
Info about ‘the metromaniacs’
Running Time: Approx. 1 hour 45 minutes and one intermission
Location: The Duke on 42nd Street, 229 West 42nd Street, between 7th & 8th Avenues, New York City.
Performances: Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8pm, with matinees select Wednesdays at 2pm, Saturdays at 2pm and Sundays at 3pm. Show ends May 26, 2018.
Contact for Info and Tickets: Visit Dukeon42.org or call 646/223-3010. In person, regular box office hours at The Duke.