Diandra Reviews It All - The Beast In The Jungle Is Beautifully Committed

Elegant and whimsically romantic, The Beast In The Jungle is playing in Vineyard Theatre, and leavening audience members mesmerized. It is a ballet/ waltz-play that echoes the days of Barbra Streisand’s “The Way We Were” romances. You watch what feels like a star crossed pairing become separated by one of the biggest, hidden causes for a relationship’s end: commitment phobia.

Perhaps the most gorgeously magical aspect of The Beast In The Jungle is that it is an illustrious dance-play based off a basic fear: commitment. From legendary composer John Kander, Tony Award-nominated playwright David Thompson, and five-time Tony Award-winning director and choreographer Susan Stroman, The Beast In The Jungle is highly refined in presentation, but simple in its theme; either fall in love or fall back. Peter Friedman plays the narrator/ older version of John Marcher. By all means, Marcher, no matter what age, is a charmer, and Friedman exudes the suave but flawed nature of this character. John Marcher can make you fall in love with him while cowering at the idea of falling in love with you or rather May (played with a spectacular sophistication Irina Dvorovenko).

Based on the 1903 novella by Henry James, “The Beast” for John Marcher has an idea that settling down, marrying May, and having a few kids would draw him away from some splendid sexual/successful life. Although he tires of his “bachelor” life, he truly believes it is the path to his joy, despite being happiest with May. Tony Yazbeck does double duty; playing John Marcher, in his younger years, and playing the nephew that prompts Friedman’s Marcher to recall his past. His nephew, like himself, is a commitment phobe. Seeing Yazbeck do a billion spins and pirouettes to then run off stage, put on a pair of glasses, and become, technically, his own nephew was impressive. Dvorenko and Yazbeck are like Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant; they draw beauty out of a love story that is self-made.

You meet John Marcher at three separate points in his life. Throughout each, the scenic design of Michael Curry and an ethereal ensemble of dancers are relied upon to assure everyone transported to Italy, London, and New York during different eras. As the dancers transform from “The Beast” into John Marcher’s many “lovers”, they are a consistent heartbeat to this show. They, along with Teagle F. Bougere’s scene-stealing role as May’s husband, keep us laughing, while May and John keep you frustrated. Once again, Dvorenko and Yazbeck’s chemistry and Stroman’s choreography build an addicting, attractive love affair, but also an angering one because Marcher will not allow happiness for himself. His “grass is greener” mentality, literally, blocks him from living a more fulfilling life. It is only in the end that he realizes his mistake, and you realize how sad this lush play truly is in message.

I was surprised how The Beast In The Jungle, a play that feels inspired by a Gene Kelly film, felt poignantly relevant to our times. For all the “success” John Marcher achieves, he lives in misery by believing that “happiness” is this distant place or moment; rather than the time you have now with someone who loves you. While happiness is not the easiest thing to achieve, encourage, or teach, The Beast In The Jungle is a lesson on how joy is a choice of commitment. Dvorenko makes May feel like an angel of love that appeared three times in his life to offer him the joy he sought, but he always chose his own fear. For that, Dvorenko’s May feels glorious and effervescently bright when she appears on stage to both love and “check” Yazbeck’s cool, but unwise Marcher. Yet, everyone, unfortunately, will look to John Marcher as a fearfully relatable character. After all, many can say they have chosen their fears over their dreams.

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Running Time: 1 hr. and 45 min with no intermission
Closes June 17, 2018
Location: Vineyard Theater on 108 E. 15th St.