Dysfunctional families take on allegorical meanings in the Production Workshop's "The Skin of Our Teeth." Written by Thornton Wilder and directed by Daniel Rogers '08, this high-energy play chronicles the Antrobus family in three apocalyptic situations - an ice age, a flood and a war. Though the play takes place in modern time periods (1950s suburbia in Act I, the 1980s in Act II and a utilitarian future in Act III), the play is full of allusions to the Bible and symbols from ancient literature.
Headed by the smarmy and temperamental Mr. Antrobus (James Rutherford '07), the family consists of a long-suffering housewife (Charly Simpson '08), a sultry yet childish mistress and maid (Tara Schuster '08), an embittered and murderous son (Jeff Wood '07) and a solemn daughter (Alicia Coneys '09). Confronted with horrible situations, the members of the Antrobus family lean on each other to survive, but their secrets and hidden feelings weaken the foundation of their relationships.
"The play has to do with how humanity deals with disaster," Rogers said. "Humanity is always under attack. The truth in that statement is why this play keeps being produced."
Rogers indicated that the play's popularity has come in cycles. "In 2001, there was a spark in production," he said. "Also in Germany after World War II."
The horror chronicled by the play resonates strongly because of its apt depiction of disasters, some of which relate to contemporary events. "The parallels between Act II (in which a giant flood threatens to engulf the family) and Hurricane Katrina exist," Rogers said. "I didn't particularly go for that, but it's there."
In addition to compelling subject matter, the play possesses an innovative structure that is particularly remarkable when one considers that it was penned in 1942. "It is postmodern before that term was invented," Rogers said.
The set design's empty frames underscore the broken line between character and actor as well as between the audience and the play. The play is in the round, meaning the audience is seated fully around the stage. "The audience is a part of the set," Rogers said.
Also, every so often the actors break character and talk directly to the audience. This creates a play about a play, complete with an actor playing a stage manager (Patrick Harrison '08). Though at first this effect served as a witty addition, it led to confusion in the third act when the "stage manager" interrupted the play because "all of the ensemble cast is sick from eating at (the Meeting Street Café)."
Indeed, the multiple layers of the play add to its complexity.
"It's so broad. There is so much crazy stuff in it. It's crammed full," Rogers said.
The last showing of Rogers' "The Skin of Our Teeth" will take place tonight at 8 p.m. in the downstairs space of T.F. Green Hall.
