Faridany gives life to torn psyche of 'Fräulein Else'
By Lance Vargas

Bravo to Francesca Faridany, the actress currently playing the title role of "Fräulein Else" at the La Jolla Playhouse.

Not only did she translate and adapt the script of "Else" from Arthur Schnitzler, but she also carries the thespian side of the show through her more than 90-minute non-stop performance in the play. Adding to her abilities is the fact that her title character often speaks in two voices, one to the other characters, and the other as a talkative superego commenting on every event in the play. She actually acts in dual consciousness.

"Fräulein Else" is the story of a young Viennese socialite on vacation with relatives. Her life is filled with ponderings on suitors or family members and other such frivolousness. She receives a letter from her mother urging her to ask a wealthy older man at the resort for a loan to keep her father out of jail.

Though at first, the subject is never breached in its entirety, it is understood by the audience that the action will culminate in some sort of lecherous favor to be delivered by Else for the money. Of course, to a young fraulein, virtue, either deserved or not, is hardly a matter of finance. This is the dilemma that Faridany's Else must turn over in her mind again and again as the play unfolds.

With her numerous asides to the audience, Faridany captures Else's adolescent charm wonderfully, though the terror of the proposition looming in her future is never forgotten about. As the play approaches its climax, it becomes an unavoidable and all-consuming weight on the young girl's mind.

Faridany's performance adequately grasps Else's conflicted thoughts. Though translating the dialogue herself obviously assisted her in mastering the script, the sheer volume of lines given to her character shows that the actor was up to the task of completely and utterly embracing the play in all its facets.

Assisting Faridany on-stage are fellow actors Mary Baird, as the ashamed-but-persistent mother; Lauren Lovett as the adulterous Cissy; Michael Tisdale as the dashing cousin Paul and Garrett Neergaard as the helpful porter.

Playing well off Faridany's nubile Else is the lecherous Julian Lopez-Morillas as Herr Von Dorseday, the rich friend of her father's whom Else must ask for money. It is Lopez-Morilla's portrayal of Dorseday that ultimately allows the audience to sympathize with the otherwise trite and flighty Else. Poring his wrinkled hands over the body of his friend's daughter, Dorseday's character oozes disgust, leading the hearts of the audience right into Else's command.

Assisting Faridany with "Fräulein Else" is her husband and director Stephen Wadsworth. Together, the two have worked together for almost a decade, and this is their ninth play together.

Praise must also go to set designer Thomas Lynch whose collage of building facade, tennis courts, lobby, mountain view and Else's bedroom all converge on one patchwork set. The design is such that there is no need of scene change. The actors simply walk from one space on the set to another. There is even a small section of stage devoted to Else's mother's desk back home. The right combination of innovative set design, actors actions and audience imagination makes the set work wonders.

Lighting designer Joan Arhgler, costume designer Anna Oliver and Sound Egineer Bill Williams also contribute to the overall nature of the play.

But ultimately, the production belongs to Faridany. Her skills, contribution and devotion to the character carry the play in a manner not seen at the Playhouse since Karen Kandel's multi-faceted performance in last year's Mabou Mimes production, "Peter and Wendy." Much praise to Faridany for giving so much of herself to a character who doesn't want to give any of herself away.

"Fräulein Else" is showing at La Jolla Playhouse until July 13. Call the box office at 550-1010 for tickets and more information.