Peer Gynt
Reviewed by Joseph Klink
Long Beach Shakespeare Company
Through June 18
In a time where we are gently, or not so gently, reapproaching “normalcy,” something that stands true across the board is that there comes a time where we must consider what our lives mean to us. Of course, yes, how general and vague, how unoriginal, but really. How do we value our time, our energy, our love given and received, all of it? We have all pondered these questions at some point or another in our isolation. It seems that many found answers in search of a new sense of self, yet a different many found their old lives and selves creeping back. What do we do? How do we do? Where do we go?
Peer Gynt is one of those plays, written by Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen in 1867, that many people have heard of yet have not had the opportunity to see. The story follows the titular character, Peer, through his lifetime from shortly before leaving home in his youth, to his eventual return as an older man. He and his mother were on their own coming up; humble living, but for young Peer this meant he lacked understanding in how he values home, family, and genuine human experience. He makes jokes, constantly embellishes, and is the least grounded person you know. As we witness Peer spend more and more time away from home, he battles reconciling his hopes for greater futures with his usual social tendencies, all the while his past is getting closer to catching up to him. The play features fantastical elements and characters, but the themes are so very human.
Holly Leveque, the director, charges five actors onstage (and a couple more pre-recorded) with the task of delivering this mammoth of a play, or perhaps a troll is better suited. In her notes, she discusses truth, love, responsibility and forgotten stories; in this case the stories of the women in Peer’s life and who they represent. Luke Medina’s Peer brings all of the energy necessary to fill these shoes, and he is equally supported by a committed group of talented actors who each play a number of other roles. Sarah Hoeven, most notably playing Peer’s mother, gives such endearing moments between mother and son. The onstage cast also includes Phoebe Balson, Rachel Speth, and Paul Alan Dixon. Together, this ensemble makes bold, fun choices, which are absolutely necessary in the execution of this play.
Leveque’s direction is very clear in the production’s strongest moments, but I’d argue that the heart of this story is shrouded by its length. That said, there are many great scenes that are worth watching, they’re captivating and often very funny. The cast brings everything they’ve got to the table, and their hard work is most rewarding in these moments.
Long Beach Shakespeare Company, performing at the Helen Borgers Theatre,4250 Atlantic Avenue, Long Beach CA; Friday & Saturday 8:00 pm; and Sunday 2:00pm; thru June 18. Running time 150 minutes with one 10 minute intermission. https://www.lbshakespeare.org/events/56120
