Review: 'Don Juan' at Westport Country Playhouse

Westport, CT - “Sex, politics, religion - Nothing is sacred is this modern take on a classic tale.”

Westport Country Playhouse is presenting a world premiere translation and adaptation of DON JUAN by Brendan Pelsue. The play, performed in modern dress, offers a chance to meet the legendary man as you have never seen him before, although for me it was my first encounter with the character that I only knew as a womanizer. The production is directed by David Kennedy, the Playhouse associate artistic director, and it runs through Nov. 23, 2019.

“When I originally proposed that we produce ‘Don Juan,’ I thought 2019 was the perfect time to revive this acerbically comic tale of an undisciplined, thin skinned narcissist who blazes a path of destruction through the world, upending institutions and social norms, destabilizing everything, offending all decency and morality, and leaving a trail of wreckage in his wake. I can’t ever imagine why,” said Mr. Kennedy, director.

DON JUAN is a satirical play written by Moliere that made its debut in 1665; it tells the classic comic tale of the legendary seducer. “Wherever he goes, the notorious seducer and antihero leaves behind a trail of broken hearts and society scandals, relying on his trusty sidekick, Sganarelle, to clean up his unruly messes. When an unearthly visitor arrives, Don Juan may finally be forced to confront his wicked ways.” - Westport Country Playhouse press release

I will begin by saying that I appreciated the nimble translation and adaptation, for I don’t think I could have endured a more classic retelling. I tried to keep in mind the director’s reason for choosing the piece, and that helped. During the intermission I heard comments like “Are we missing something?” and I noticed a few patrons leaving, seemingly unwilling to find out what fate would befall the antihero. The production values and the performances of the Equity cast members were sufficient to encourage the rest of us to remain for the second act; the woman seated next to me extolled the cleverness of Mr. Pelsue to envision the modern twist and enjoyed it immensely.

Nick Westrate, who has appeared regionally at Yale Rep, took on the role of Don Juan in his Playhouse debut and captured the spirit of the character in an interesting arc of costumes. Bhavesh Patel (THE NAP, PRESENT LAUGHTER on Broadway) just about stole the show in his Playhouse debut in the role of Don Juan’s valet Scanarelle, the voice of reason with plenty of humor in his lines.

Ensemble member Jordan Bellow (ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK) played Don Carlos, a brother of Dona Elvira in his Playhouse debut, and Paul DeBoy (Harry Bright in MAMMA MIA! On Broadway, ROYAL PAINS on tv) appeared as Mr. Gusman and was imposing as a silver statue. Carson Elrod (NOISES OFF, PETER AND THE STARCATCHER on Broadway) was very funny as beach boy Pierrot and the tradesman Dimanche. Phillip Goodwin (TARTUFFE on Broadway) played an ancient beggar; he was also memorable as the father of Don Juan in his Playhouse debut.

Suzy Jane Hunt (DEAR EVAN HANSEN, DEAD ACCOUNTS ON Broadway) was the scorned wife Dona Elvira in her Playhouse debut, Claudia Logan was the peasant Mathurine and returned as The Ghost in her Playhouse debut. Ensemble member Bobby Roman, who earned an MFA from Yale School of Drama, portrayed Don Alonzo, another angry brother of Dona Elvira, and Ariana Venturi did very well as the peasant fiance of Pierrot Charlotte, in a great ponytail in her Playhouse debut.

Scenic design by Marsha Ginsberg ran the gamut from stark to lush but it worked well with lighting by Matthew Richards. Costumes designed by Katherine Roth were perfectly modern and fun in nature; they were one of the highlights of the production. There was original music and sound design by Fitz Patton and Michael Rossmy was the fight director/intimacy coach.

The theatre has posted that DON JUAN is recommended for ages 14 and up.

Nancy Sasso Janis, writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, posts well over 100 reviews each year. In 2016, her membership in the Connecticut Critics Circle began and her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted not only in the Naugatuck Patch but also on the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theatre Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the NEW CCC Facebook page.

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