Greenwich Lawyer Jessie Gilbert Shines in 'God of Carnage' at Darien Arts Center

Greenwich lawyer Jessie Gilbert shines in her role as Annette Raleigh in Yasmina Reza’s God of Carnage at the Darien Arts Center. The actor’s flawless performance is convincingly real as a mother and wife caught up in a conflict that unfolds in this ‘comedy of manners without the manners’. The show, which won the 2009 Tony Award for Best Play, is being performed at the DAC Weatherstone Studio for a 3-weekend run in November, starting on Friday, November 7.

The play unfolds, when two couples meet in one couple’s upscale Brooklyn apartment to discuss a fight between their 11-year old-sons, a conflict leaving one boy with two broken teeth. Their attempt to reach closure with the incident soon devolves into chaos. Christopher Isherwood of The New York Times wrote, “The bell rings. Pleasant chatter begins. Coffee and pastry are served. But the gentility soon gives way to the hurling of insults ... physical assault, wanton destruction of a cellphone, rampaging battery by tulip and other assorted forms of bad behavior.” In the DAC Stage production, Larry Reina, Gary Betsworth, and Norwalk residents Jessie Gilbert and Eileen Lawless expertly play the shifting alliances among the couples under the experienced direction of Mark Graham.

Gilbert has performed in a wide variety of roles with many community theaters including Curtain Call, Town Players of New Canaan and Westport Community Theatre. Most recently she has been in The Clean House at the Ridgefield Theatre Barn, which won the 2014 OnStage Critics Award for best play. Despite her extensive experience, Gilbert is in awe of the superb cast, crew and director of God of Carnage, “There is nothing better than being in a play with such strong actors. Not only do they make it so much more interesting and fun, but they bring out my best as an actress.” When not practicing her lines, Jessie practices trusts and estates law at Cummings & Lockwood in Greenwich, and karate, in which she has a black belt.

God of Carnage, by Yasmina Reza and translated by Christopher Hampton, is being performed at the Darien Arts Center Weatherstone Studio, located at 2 Renshaw Road, behind Darien Town Hall. Performances are at 8 pm on November 7, 8, 14, 15, 21 and 22 with matinees at 2 pm on November 9 and 16. Tickets can be purchased at darienarts.org or by calling the box office at 203-655-5414.

Pictured on left is Jessie Gilbert with Eileen Lawless in rehearsal for God of Carnage.

Photo credit: Jeffrey Wyant.

Founded in 1975, the Darien Arts Center (DAC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing visual and performing arts programs and events for the community. The DAC offers educational programs in Dance, Visual Arts, Music & Theatre, & special events & live theatre performances by DAC Stage. Private donations, grants, tuition fees & ticket sales fund the DAC, which is located at 2 Renshaw Road, behind the Town Hall. For further information, call (203) 655-8683 or visit darienarts.org.