When you walk into the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre to see “The Snow Geese,” there are already actors on stage. Don’t worry — you’re not late. The house lights seem oppressive before the show begins, acting as a barrier between the audience and the actors, but allowing the performers to be observed from the start.
“The Snow Geese” is a graceful show without an easily foreseeable or predictable ending. Each character pursues his or her own goals in different ways and works through the various obstacles that block their path. With stunning direction by Daniel Sullivan, every character — whether fighting racism, grief, frustration or fear — is fully developed. John Lee Beatty’s sets also immensely aid the production’s aesthetic, giving it a portrait-like quality.
Mary-Louise Parker sets a high bar for the cast as Elizabeth Gaesling, a recently widowed mother of two. She is broken and lost, turning a blind eye to the financial problems in which her late husband has left the family. Her relationship with her sons showcases corrupt family habits such as parental favoritism, ignorance and neglect. But the admirable love that Elizabeth and her husband Teddy (Christopher Innvar) share in her dreams allows the audience to understand and appreciate the depth of Elizabeth’s sorrow.
Duncan and Arnold, played by Evan Jonigkeit and Brian Cross respectively, are dynamic as they play off each other. As Elizabeth’s two sons, their personalities are completely different and yet inextricably linked. Their relationship is tragic, doomed from the start by parents who treated one, Duncan, far better than the other. Cross, in his Broadway debut, has several haunting moments in which he confronts Elizabeth about both the financial problems of the family and the indifferent way in which he was treated throughout his childhood. Whenever Cross is onstage, it is impossible not to watch him — he has a magnetic and demanding presence.
Also involved in the family’s home life are Elizabeth’s sister Clarissa (the remarkable Victoria Clark) and her husband Max (Danny Burstein). Despite struggling with his German heritage and the loss of his daughter, Max remains dignified and somewhat optimistic — his will to survive is strong despite the tragedies he has endured.
Clarissa is charming and provides humor to the show through her steadfast religious beliefs and awful singing. Clarissa’s interactions with Viktorya, the Ukrainian maid played by Jessica Love, provide perspective by bringing an outsider’s view into deep-rooted familial problems. Viktorya is an understated role, but with grace and charm, the character speaks of far greater tragedies happening outside of the Gaesling house — at one point she says, “There are many worse things than losing money.”
Admittedly, whatever message is meant to underlie the show never quite makes it to the surface. Regardless, the fantastic cast and their acting carry “The Snow Geese” to great success.
A version of this article appeared in the Wednesday, Nov. 6 print edition. Sarah Nichols is a staff writer. Email her at [email protected].
