O'Neill's 'Exorcism' gives a glimpse at playwright's early, dark brilliance:
O'Neill's 'Exorcism' gives a glimpse at playwright's early, dark brilliance
By
A Eugene O'Neill play is never light fare, but it is almost always illuminating.
And Beowulf Alley Theatre is turning on the O'Neill road less taken over the next few weeks with its staging of "Exorcism."
The one-act, one of O'Neill's first plays, was discovered just last year, more than 90 years after the playwright penned it.
From left, David Swisher, Evan Engle, Michael Fenlason and Ken Beider are in the cast of Beowulf Alley's "Exorcism." The play was discovered just last year.
Maybe he wanted it lost - it's the story of his attempted suicide, and, like most of O'Neill's plays, it puts him and his family in a questionable light.
The play was produced in 1920, but shortly after that O'Neill was said to have destroyed all copies. Ostensibly, he did it to please his father.
It isn't quintessential O'Neill - look to "The Iceman Cometh" and "Long Day's Journey Into Night" for that. But it is O'Neill, for goodness sake. A glimpse of his dark and stirring brilliance before it was in full bloom surely marks "Exorcism."
Performances are 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through July 13, with one matinee at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Beowulf Alley Theatre, 11 S. Sixth Ave. Tickets are $15, with discounts available.
Call 882-0555 for more information.
