New Rep opens its 2012-2013 season with Mathew Spangler’s
adaptation of Khaled Hosseini’s “The Kite Runner.” The excellent cast, most of
whom are making New Rep debuts, carried us deep into an unfamiliar world.
Especially noteworthy is Nael Nacer who, as the adult Amir, narrates, sets the
scene and leads us through the barriers of time and space. He physically
shadows the actions of young Amir (Fahim Hamid) who skillfully portrays the
boy’s painful transition from ease and playfulness to haunting guilt and shame.
Luke Murtha is both Hassan and later his son Sohrab. The actor has a difficult
task here as Hassan’s innocence, selflessness and saintly ability to forgive
could be cloying. Murtha makes him radiantly believable. It’s hard to take your
eyes off of him when he is on stage. Ken Baltin is also outstanding as the
gruff father who carries a deep secret.
Many of the actors play multiple parts and Paige Clark is particularly
notable for her ability to transform herself in seconds from an annoyed Vietnamese
shopkeeper to the lovely Soraya. Drummer Fredrick Williams adds immeasurably to
the atmosphere.
As always the sets and lighting are absolutely stunning.
Although the set and lighting designers are also new to New Rep they live up to
the very high standards regular fans have come to expect. We are always
impressed by the New Rep’s ability to utterly transform the rather small stage
in unique and ingenious ways.
Any adaptator of ‘The Kite Runner’ faces a daunting task.
This is a novel about a writer, a man who almost by definition, lives in his
own words. There are times when the play suffers from too much narration and
not enough dialogue. Overall, though, New Rep’s season opener provides an
absorbing and at times deeply moving evening in the theater.
~ Johanna Ettin & Shauna Shames
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