Todd Jefferson Moore Redeems Crime and Punishment
"Nothing is easier than to denounce the evildoer; nothing is harder than to understand him."--Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Full disclosure: we haven't yet read Dostoyevsky's classic. It's always been on the list, but other, more contemporary authors keep cutting in line (we're looking at you, Chabon). We did, however, have in our party a fellow who has read it (twice!), so we immediately picked his brain after Intiman Theatre's Crime and Punishment (runs through May 3rd; tickets: $10-$47). His overall reaction was decidedly "meh," partly because of the lack of, well, punishment. He said there are so many elements missing (not to mention the main character's detention in Siberia for his crimes) that this "90-minute psycho thriller" does the original story a disservice.
We nod because we understand. It can be difficult to see so much stripped from a story you're familiar with and that you enjoyed enough to have read it twice. That said, we were able to experience the play for what it was to us: a gripping tale of murder, delusion, and maybe redemption. But redemption in whose eyes? God? Perhaps.
"God grants peace to the dead." Raskolnikov (fiercely played by Galen Joseph Osier) repeats this line throughout the play, sometimes as a question, sometimes a declaration, always in desperation. He is obsessed with the idea and rightly so for what he's done.
For those unacquainted with Crime and Punishment, it is the story of Raskolnikov, a poor student impossibly in debt to his landlady, Alëna, an old woman whom he despises; he feels she is of little use to society, hording her money which could be used for good. Raskolnikov sets out to prove his theory that there are "extraordinary people" in the world--those who are above the law and have the moral right to kill.
He likens himself repeatedly to Napoleon in this regard and murders not only Alëna, but also her half-sister, Lizaveta, as she walks in on the murder. Following this blunder, Raskolnikov falls into a feverish state as he becomes entangled not only with the moral implications of what he has done, but also with the likable Inspector Porfiry (played expertly by Todd Jefferson Moore) and the lovely young prostitute, Sonia (Hana Lass), whom he loves.
The stage is set as a single room with a worn hardwood floor and dingy, cracked plaster walls. There are three doors which seem to fly open and slam shut on command. There are no windows. Three chairs occupy this room. One is broken and below it, on the floor, lies a Bible. And for all of the simplicity of the set, the play is visually and audibly stunning due to the arresting light and sound design, not to mention the gorgeous music performed by violist Melia Watras.
Lass does a wonderful job believably playing the parts of Sonia, Alëna, and Lizaveta. As Sonia, she is an enchanting beauty, and though given over to prostitution, comes off as an innocent among rough men. Osier, as we've mentioned, pulls out an intense performance as Raskolnikov. It has to be exhausting to play this part night after night.
The real gem of the show is Moore's genius portrayal of Inspector Porfiry. His performance alone is worth your attendance, as he excels at being tenaciously funny, charming, witty, and cerebral as he digs in to the psychosis of his suspect, Raskolnikov.
There are scenes in Crime and Punishment which feel rushed, as though struggling to hit that 90-minute mark. This is mostly due to Osier's occasional bouts of hurried tromping from one side of the stage to the other, but this is a small matter.
Much more problematic is the moment Osier stands atop the large rocks offstage and addresses the crowd directly, challenging us and our own morals with the question of whether murder can ever be right if committed for the greater good. Not only is it a somewhat cheesy stunt, but it also breaks the spell of the play itself.
If you're a huge fan of the novel, you may be disappointed, but if you take it for what it is--a shortened reimagining of a classic tale--you'll likely enjoy it as much as we did.
