Deborah Persoff lights up the cabaret stage in a one-woman tour de force
Deborah Persoff is lighting up the Vintage Theatre once again. This time, she is on their cabaret stage in an inspiring production of Eleanor by Mark St. Germain and directed by Christine Kahane. Barely 90 minutes, we are treated to a stirring performance that is nothing less than a tour de force for Persoff.
The one-woman play captures Eleanor Roosevelt’s life and times from early childhood to her death in 1962. Aside from the title role, we are treated to dozens of characters who were part of Eleanor’s storied life — from young girl to First Lady to tireless civil rights advocate. Persoff brings these other personalities to life with subtle but fascinating character traits that never cross the line of mimicry.
As President Franklin Roosevelt’s wife, Eleanor was our country’s longest run as First Lady from 1933 to 1945. A curious tidbit revealed is that Franklin and Eleanor were, in fact, fifth cousins. But there was so much more to her, as explored in St. Germain’s exquisitely detailed and luminous memory play. It starts on a park bench in Washington, D.C., and travels back through time to introduce us to Eleanor on a profoundly personal level.
An array of characters
Along the way, we meet fascinating characters such as Eleanor’s first cousin Alice, the daughter of Theodore Roosevelt, who dramatically impacts Eleanor’s life despite their divergent political views. While Eleanor attends boarding school in London, she is greatly influenced by Madame Marie Souvestre, an educator who leaves an indelible mark for the remainder of her life. Persoff gives a divine interpretation of Souvestre that sparks laughter and delight from the audience.
This is not a dry historical recollection. We are given a fresh perspective and can peer into Eleanor’s personal and civic life from start to finish. Much is made of Eleanor’s advocacy in the civil rights arena, focusing on the rights of African Americans and women. All of this comes alive through Persoff’s multi-layered performance, equivalent to brilliant storytelling.
What about Eleanor’s personal life? It’s all there, told with extraordinary decency and good taste. Eleanor discovers love letters from her part-time social secretary, Lucy Mercer, in Franklin’s suitcase. I turned out to be a decades-long love affair between Lucy and Franklin, but Eleanor remains with Franklin throughout his life. There is mention of the multiple women with whom Eleanor develops close friendships, but the true nature of these relationships is never wholly divulged.
As directed by Christine Kahane, Eleanor is a smooth ride. Allowing Persoff to command the stage ensures the direction is seamless and highly focused. Presented mainly as a conversation between Eleanor and the audience, Kahane has chosen the right path, making us feel like we are enjoying time with a dear old friend. It is inviting and extremely comfortable.
Playing through March 27 at Vintage, Eleanor is a gift to this season’s lineup of theatrical presentations. Watching Deborah Persoff command the stage is thrilling as she never misses a beat and is always precisely in the moment. Her range is unmatched, and she magnificently brings to life the former First Lady, Eleanor. Truly spectacular.
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