Kandis Chappell (Photo by Jason Niedle)
Reviewed by Dana Martin
Rubicon Theater Company
Through May 31
RECOMMENDED
Kandis Chappell (Photo by Jason Niedle)
The Roosevelts keep it in the family: politics, love, marriage, betrayal. Playwright Mark St. Germain’s Eleanor is a memory play, an American history lesson, and a journey through the politics of self-discovery, told from the perspective of the ghost of Eleanor Roosevelt (Kandis Chappell).
The Rock Creek Cemetery in Washington D.C. is a place frequented by many significant spirits, perhaps most notably this remarkable historical figure, who reflects on her extraordinary life. Married to Franklin Delano Roosevelt (her fifth cousin), Eleanor is a self-described “unattractive woman,” which doesn’t bother her at all. Initially she was surprised by FDR’s pursuit of her, but FDR saw a person of substance and together they were a power couple, each possessing something the other lacked: he was handsome and charismatic, and she had a famously pure heart.
But their marriage was largely unsatisfying and Eleanor claims she never truly got to know who FDR was as a person. They maintained separate bedrooms and separate lives for most of their marriage, with Eleanor deeply desirous of her own independence. Coming from an upbringing of extreme privilege, Eleanor is afforded a life independent of yet benefiting from her husband’s influence, while pursuing her own personal and political interests. FDR had many affairs, and Eleanor had lovers too, most notably a well-documented, decades long affair with journalist Lorena Hickok.
Chappell embodies the spirit of Eleanor Roosevelt and rises above the trap of impersonation. She’s a reliable narrator with a no-nonsense demeanor and she keeps the story moving at a clipped pace. When she jumps into moments of discovery or plays other characters, the play comes to life. She maintains a mostly public persona throughout, rarely revealing anything too personal, or too vulnerable, which sometimes causes the performance to feel stifled.
St. Germain’s one-woman show is heavy on narrative presentation and lacks dramatic tension, but the salacious story of these famous American figures remains interesting throughout. Director David Ellenstein’s uncomplicated staging is appropriately subdued and straightforward. Costume designer Elisa Benzoni captures both the character and a bygone era. Aaron Rumley’s projection design invokes the many historical characters Eleanor refers to, which adds a lot to the storytelling, and Rumley’s sound design is subtle and nice. Scenic designer Stephen Gifford’s cemetery is dreary and overwhelms the stage. Matthew Novotny’s lighting design helps define sometimes abrupt transitions of time/place.
Eleanor Roosevelt is an American hero and real-life icon. She was a flawed but extraordinary woman who contributed much to the US and the world politically and socially, while privately spending her life searching for her own identity.She advocated for civil rights, women’s rights, and human rights, and was the longest serving First Lady. She often doubted herself, but she was ultimately able to discover her true self. As she famously once said, “You not only have a right to be an individual. You have a responsibility,”
Karyn Jackson Theater, East Main Street, Ventura, CA; Wed.-Sat.,7:00 pm, Wed., Sat. & Sun., 2 pm; thru May 31. https://rubicontheatre.org Running time: 90-minutes with no intermission.
