Times might be tough, but at least we’re not living in 19th-century Russia. There, a man has to kill with an ax just to feel like he’s got some power in his life.
Such is the situation that faced the haunted Raskolnikov in Intiman Theatre’s “Crime and Punishment.”
In Dostoyevsky’s suspense novel, Raskolnikov battles with demons of morality as he tries to justify the murder of two women through his belief that he is one of the “extraordinary people” — those who have the right to kill. We get a glimpse into this psychologically battered man who wanted to be a Napoleon and be offered redemption because he killed a useless person.
Once caught, Raskolnikov asked chillingly, “We have to direct nature don’t we?”
It’s a bleak situation with no clear answers. We’re quite relieved at the end, after a mercilessly short 90 minutes with no intermission. Some patrons literally jumped out of their seats, making a beeline for the opening-night party in desperate need of some cheer.
Don’t get me wrong. Intiman was brave, bold, to put on this show. It took chutzpah and the marvelous direction of Sheila Daniels. Although the beginning of “Crime” feels as if you’ve come into the middle of a conversation, patrons are rewarded richly in the end.
The heavy weight of this story was entirely placed on the shoulders of only three actors, all solid and immensely capable.
In particular, thank goodness for Todd Jefferson Moore, who brought some comic relief in the form of Inspector Porfiry. Moore presented his Porfiry as a combination game show host and CSI detective, with a dash of Columbo mixed in.
Porfiry is hardboiled yet humorous. He tells us about his hemorrhoids and asks cutely, “Could I be one of those extraordinary people?” He coaxes and cajoles Raskolnikov but in the end tells him, “You came up with an idea, but it’s not very useful.”
Moore’s performance was close to flawless, though as Sonia’s drunk father, the words being slurred were at times hard to understand. That, no doubt, will be overcome as the play continues.
Moore’s portrayal of Porfiry was superbly balanced with Galen Joseph Osier’s stunning reprisal of Raskolnikov, a man horribly trapped by his inner battle of good vs. evil. Quite simply: Osier nailed it.
Actress Hana Lass bore the heaviest weight of playing four characters, including Raskolnikov’s love interest, Sonia. She never let us down in any of them.
Theresa Goffredo: 425-339-3424, goffredo@heraldnet.com.
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