Theater Reviews

Feb 9, 2005 - "Amadeus" at Reno's Bruka Theatre is triumphant theater

By Jack Neal

Whether it's truth versus fiction or mediocrity versus genius, Peter Schaffer's provocative play about the talents of Antonio Salieri versus the talents of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is fascinating theater.

It all happened in the court of Austria's Emperor Joseph II a long time ago. Except for the high style of the period's clothes and Mozart's ravishingly beautiful music the conflict between blazingly brilliant talent and jealousy over blazingly brilliant talent might just as well be set in contemporary America. Like Shakespeare's plays, Schaeffer's "Amadeus" is very relevant for contemporary audiences.

Never to shirk from a challenge, Reno's Bruka Theatre Company has tackled "Amadeus" with all its challenges, and brought it off with enormous flair and pathos. When the stars are properly aligned, the Bruka Theatre Company - always operating on a shoestring I'm sure - can at any given moment bring heavenly magic to the stage. Certainly that's what has happened with this presentation. "Amadeus" is nothing less than a trumphant theatrical experience.

Spurred on by Mozart's absolute musical genius in comparison with his penchant for risque, ribaldly immature behavior, Schaffer has fashioned his play around the jealousy of the more court-wise and sophisticated Salieri for someone he, Salieri, considered a social inferior.

Setting aside historic fact, all of the main characters in Schaffer's play actually existed. Whether they behaved in the manner Schaffer has designed is unimportant. His play is gripping and succeeds in creating renewed devotion for Mozart's sublime musical talent. "Amadeus" is not a musical, but a play underscored with the sounds of Mozart's splendid music, making it a music drama of profound proportions.

Mary Bennett has directed and her work is sensitive, seamless and a major achievement. "Amadeus" is a multi-scened play and there is never a moment when the action drags. Lewis Zaumeyer's handsome and classic drawing-room set is used to perfection. The elegant costumes, revitalized and re-designed especially for this production, are as handsome as Zaumeyer's set.

Bruka Theatre's devotion to stagecraft shines through every moment. Much like the old studio system for movies in the 1930s and 1940s (remember all those marvelous character actors audiences saw in film after film), Bruka has attracted and retained players and craftsmen who love what they do and are good at it. The company has become a first-rate repertory company to be reckoned with. That bank of talent provides "Amadeus" with a cast full of wonderful performances.

Scott Beers is Salieri. David Richards is Mozart. Both are as opposite as they can be. Beers is imperious, arrogant and superb. Richards is silly, naive and equally superb. Both create tour de force performances worthy of any theater, making their work even more impressive in an off, off, obviously way off Broadway venue.

As Constanze Weber, Mozart's wife, Jamie Plunkett transists from the tart-like damsel of Mozart's silliness, into a woman who will do what needs to be done to protect the man - the creature, Salieri would say - she loves, if but transparently. Plunkett's Constanze is a well modulated characterization for an over the-top lady. As Joseph II, Brian Barney is aloofly regal and entirely convincing.

Playing Schaffer's Greek chorus of courtly gossips, Tony DeGeiso (Venticelli I) and Sandy Brunell (Venticelli II) tie the play's action together with a swift delivery of lines that is a major assist for the play's shrewd pacing. Stylized and knowing (over the goings on at court), the remainder of the cast registers reactions of favor and disfavor with raised eyebrows and curled lips that - like good pictures - are worth a thousand words.

"Amadeus" can be seen at the Bruka Theatre, 99 North Virginia Street, Reno, Nevada, Thursdays through Saturdays through March 12 (2005) at 8 p.m. (final curtain at 11:30 p.m.) and Sunday matinees February 20 and March 13 (2005) at 2 p.m. (final curtain at 5:30 p.m.). For information call 775-323-3221.