Antiquities at Playwrights Horizons

The Play: “The Antiquities” a/k/a A Tour of the Permanent Collection in the Museum of Late Human Antiquities

I recently went to Playwrights Horizons for a performance of “The Antiquities,” a/k/a A Tour of the Permanent Collection in the Museum of Late Human Antiquities.

This is another case: “Did I see the same play as the rest of the audience?” I know I saw an elegant production that kept me hooked for all 90 minutes. I also know that it left me feeling bleak. Like Jordan Harrison‘s previous play, Marjorie Prime, also at Playwrights Horizons in 2015, this is “a play of ideas, and there is more discourse than dramatic action.”

Here’s a mini-preview by co-director Caitlin Sullivan:

 

 

 

 

 

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A Journey Through Time and Thought

The play takes us through several centuries of human development. At each of these stops along the way, the humans consider themselves more or less on top of it. Even in the face of death, there is no fear that we are all going to hell in a handbasket.

Harrison sprinkles hopelessness like the scent of poppies in The Wizard of Oz.  We are the observers and the observed.   I am reminded of the Hans Christian Anderson movie musical where Danny Kaye sang:

… here’s a tale of a simple fool: just glance at a page or two.

You laugh, “Ha Ha,” but you blush a bit
For you realize while you’re reading it

That it’s also reading you.

There is not one moment when we are not aware that we are being fed some very serious ideas—and they are not the happy ones. As the play begins, we are instructed to “look alive,” and we nearly blush to realize what that means.

The Performances

A Stellar Cast

This is a stunning cast: Cindy Cheung,  Marchánt Davis, Layan Elwazani, Andrew Garman, Aria Shahghasemi, Kristen Sieh, Ryan Spahn, Julius Rinzel, and Amelia Workman.  I wish I could tell you exactly what parts they play, but for some reason they are only identified as Woman or Man with a number in the program.  I am certain there is a reason for that, but it was lost on me.  The parts played by each number are identified in the script, but it still leaves the audience in the lurch.

The Intent Behind the Unnamed Roles

Perhaps the larger message is that naming the actors is a waste of time and focus because we are all human, both in the production and the audience. The jury is still out on that.

Back to the cast—these fine actors weave themselves into the story as warp and woof. Each actor plays several parts, and their work is so exquisite that you lose track of the specific performers and see only the characters. Astonishing work all around. Bravo!

The Production Design

The Magic of the Set

A note about the set: I have performed on the Playwrights stage, and I can tell you from experience that there is not a quarter of an inch of extra space ANYWHERE.  Paul Steinberg‘s set of wide swaths of what look like metal sheets is magic.  Pure and simple.  Enormous props by Matt Carlin appear and disappear like rabbits in a magician’s hat.  How did they do that??? I wanted to stop everything more than once and make someone show me where that bar, bed, or refrigerator came from.  If I had a hat, I would take it off to this design team.

Costumes and Wigs: A Journey Through Time

In addition, the costumes and wigs are perfection.  Each century is shown in precise detail.  We are free to immerse ourselves in the messages that Harrison is telegraphing to us.

The Play’s Themes: A Sobering Reflection

Time and Self-Deception

We begin in the 1800’s and travel beyond today’s location in time.  When all is said and done, we are reminded that we, like all the characters in this play, have deceived ourselves into thinking that we are the champions of our time.  We think we are the boss of us.  Technology is there to aid us in maintaining our positions.  We are wrong.

A Stark Conclusion

As the characters bid farewell and thanks, they tell us, in the gentlest way possible, that we are not the champions of anything.  We are placeholders.  We are a transitional species.

A sad ending that sticks to the bottom of your shoe no matter how far you roam.  As for me, I need a bit of light at the end of the tunnel – even if it is a train coming in the other direction.  With “Antiquities” Harrison pulls the plug..  It is a wonder nobody keels over.

And yet – the play has been extended.  I say, “Good for them.”  Theatre isn’t meant to make us all feel better.  It is to take us to feel, period.  Antiquities does that, and then some.

Production Details

The Antiquities by Jordan Harrison, Directed by David Cromer and Caitlin Sullivan

Cast

Cindy Cheung,  Marchánt Davis, Layan Elwazani, Andrew Garman, Aria Shahghasemi, Kristen Sieh, Ryan Spahn, Julius Rinzel, and Amelia Workman.

Creative Team

Paul Steinberg (Scenic Designer), Brenda Abbandandolo (Costume Designer), Tyler Micoleau (Lighting Designer), Christopher Darbassie (Sound Designer), Leah Loukas (Wig and Hair Designer), Sarah Lunnie (Dramaturg), and Jeremy Chernick (SFX Consultant).

The Antiquities at Playwrights Horizons

At Playwrights Horizons through March 2.  Tickets HERE