The second installment in JTL Productions'
"Acting Out" Series, "Damned" is a visceral, riveting portrayal of one
of the most legendary and reviled villains in American history.
Lifelong comedian Lynd once again showcases
his skill in dramatic scriptwriting and intriguing, realistic stage
direction. Greeting the audience is an ominous display of Lincoln’s
portrait hanging between tattered Union and Confederate flags. Below
them, Lynd’s go-to actor enlivens the powerful text of brutal historical
truths, intriguing political and philosophical questions,
smirk-inducing anachronisms (Booth’s ghost has a century-and-a-half of
hindsight); as well as the moral morass of a (“probably psychotic”) man
willing to abandon extraordinary wealth and fame to sacrifice his life
for his country, or at least the Confederate version thereof. (To
paraphrase one of my favorite paradoxical bits: “How dare you enslave
and brutalize your fellow man... Now, do what we say, or we’ll blast you
to kingdom come!”)
Wilson never disappoints. A self-proclaimed
"character actor," Wilson commands the stage with verve and ease,
betraying the meekness the euphemism implies. He's not a
perpetual-supporter kind of actor. He's the real deal, able to enthrall a
sold-out house with nothing more than sheer talent and a few old-timey
props.
Though the early draft of the book lends
toward the dark side of its namesake, glossing over the lighter-hearted
aspects of Booth's life story—if indeed there are any—"Damned" proves
itself another great, original work the I.E. stages are privileged to
host, and one of the few bastions of legit theatre in a world choking on
commercial cud.
LA theater reviews by LA Theater Critic.
LA theater reviews by LA Theater Critic.
