A good period piece should transform our modern-day lives into a dreamy world of romance, scandal, drama and wit, even for a moment. The Old Globe’s current production of “The Age of Innocence,” adapted by Karen Zacarías, fails to deliver that dreamy drama.
The show is a contemporary look at the 1920 novel of the same name by Edith Wharton. It still takes place during the Gilded Age—with luscious fabrics and costumes to match—but the entire story is told through a modern-day narrator who exists outside the characters. The narrator (Eva Kaminsky) addresses the audience directly and tells the story straight to them. This framing device is a confusing choice that just feels like the playwright didn’t believe audiences would “get” the story without someone directly explaining it to them. Since most of the show simply tells us the story rather than shows us, the script is dull, lacking any life, wit, or fervor.
The story revolves around New York aristocrats and their obsessive need to maintain appearances. Newland Archer (Callum Adams) is set to marry the young, darling May Welland (Delphi Borich) but finds himself instead drawn toward the bold and daring Countess Ellen Olenska (Shereen Ahmed) after she makes a splash in town.
There should be good romantic tension between Newland and Ellen, but unfortunately for the actors, there just didn’t seem to be much chemistry. The long stares and sultry handholding fell flat and drawn out. The most dramatic moments of the story rely on romantic tension, and without good romantic tension, there isn’t much to grasp onto.
The highlight of the show is the beautiful costuming by Susan E. Mickey. All the polite members of society are dressed in neutral creams and grays, while the Countess is swathed in gorgeous ruby-red satin and velvet. The costumes make this a true period piece when a modern-day narrator tells the story against a modern, minimalist set by Arnulfo Maldonado.
Although the set itself was white and rather simple, it was highlighted by the use of colorful lighting by designer Lee Fiskness. The lighting added depth and “feeling” to the show that the all-white set intentionally left out
Ultimately, “The Age of Innocence” feels like the playwright and director didn’t know whether they wanted to tell a story from a different time or adapt it to the modern day. It’s a mix of both, and that mashup of ideas, along with the lifeless script, made for a sluggish viewing that didn’t feel like entertainment.
(Photo Credit: Jim Cox)
To See or Not To See 
Leave a comment