Desire under the Elms is definitely not for the weak of heart. Eugene O'Neill's story is placed in a remote New England farm. Ephraim Cabot (Jim Chovick), 70-something, brings his much younger bride, Abbie (Jessica John), home to meet his family of three boys. Youngest son, Eben (Francis Gercke), steals Ephraim's rainy-day money to stake older brothers Peter and Simon (John Garcia and Craig Huisenga) for their quest to California. Eben is determined to hate Abbie, but the young man ends up lusting for her.
Director/Scenic Designer Sean Murray, not only has brought together a truly professional cast, he has given his audience an interesting playing area for that cast. Multiple risers create two floating bedrooms, a living area and exterior spaces. A model of the farm house, lit windows suggesting where the action is taking place, sits center midstage behind the living room area. The furniture is rustic with beds made of unmilled tree branches. The hardscrabble farm is suggested by large rocks lining the sides of the set and, at times, up against the stylized house interior.
Chovick's Ephraim is a difficult man to love; hard on his boys, apparently unloving to his youngest son, and, while loving, demanding of his new wife. Upon her pregnancy, he is elated, the cock of the walk at his potency. His flinty nature is difficult to watch.
Francis Gercke's Eben is a sad boy who has always been beaten down psychologically and, perhaps, physically, by his father. His father has shown him no love, only constant berating. His only salvation comes when he aids his brothers' exodus insuring his inheritance of the farm. Enter new wife Abbie, and even his last hope is dashed. Gercke creates a believably conflicted young man torn between his hate and lust for the intruding Abbie.
Jessica John has a most difficult, if most sympathetic, role. Her character has to balance her duties to her uncompromising, aging husband, with her growing affection for his son. As O'Neill's plot wends its way through the strained relations, it is easy to doubt her sincerity at many levels. John gives us an excellent interpretation of Abbie, forcing us to question her words.
John Garcia, who plays both brother Peter and the Sheriff, proves credible as both. Craig Huisenga's roles include brother Simeon as well as a Fiddler and a Deputy Sheriff.
Murray's set is creative lit by Erick Lotze. Sound Designer George Ye reaches his usual quality sound design, which includes original music by The Cowles Mountain Boys. Ye has also choreographed a highly physical fight scene between father and young son. Bonnie Durben provided the props for the production. Costume Designer Jeanne Reith, as usual, gives the characters just the right look for the time.
Though performances in Cygnet's Desire Under the Elms are all excellent, there are lapses in the dialect, which minimally detracts from the power of the speeches. Murray takes full advantage of the breadth of the stage, giving exits and entrances that often add to the tension that constantly exited center stage. This is a strong, emotional story and, at times, difficult to watch. It is certainly worth a serious playgoer's time.
