Miss Julie brings tragedy to Black Box

November 17, 2011 by Carol Turner 

Strindberg’s classic raises questions about power dynamics

Miss Julie by August Strindberg is a difficult play to understand and, sometimes, difficult to enjoy. However, the version of the Nevada Conservatory Theatre is playing in the Black Box Theatre shows crisply and clearly the message Strindberg brings forth: Women, especially privileged women of the late 1800s, were treated cruelly by their counterparts. The play addresses issues that early social and feminist reformers struggled against and that 21st century females will recognize.

Before the play starts, the audience is welcomed into the world of Miss Julie by 10 minutes of pre-show activities like servants and townsfolk performing daily tasks. Miss Julie takes place during the celebration of Midsummer’s Eve, when self-restraints are loose and alcohol flows freely. Because of the party atmosphere, Julie, an impulsive, willful, aristocrat with major gender issues makes improper sexual advances to Jean, her father’s ambitious valet. During the festive party environment, Julie and Jean indulge in a reckless battle of wills until she succumbs to his charm, eventually arriving at a tragic end. The play is somber and full of symbolism about the differences between the haves and the have-nots, as well as the power males have over females.

One of the ways that director Ann-Marie Pereth shows Miss Julie’s powerlessness works especially well — Miss Julie gets screwed in more ways than one. There is a love scene, or more accurately a sex scene, in the play that will surprise some. However, the scene is performed skillfully and adds a great deal to Pereth’s interpretation of Strindberg’s play and the audience’ understanding of Julie’s downfall.

The set design by Jason Myron Wright and lighting by Josh Wroblewski are effective and reflect the serious nature of the play. The costumes by Alexandra Lambert work very well, especially Miss Julie’s, which symbolizes the constricted existence she must accept. Cynthia Vodovoz as Miss Julie and Melissa Ritz as Christine are both excellent. However, the reason we understand Julie’s plight is due to John Maltese’s skillful work as Jean, who turns from servant to master, as he manipulates Miss Julie from an aristocratic bully to a needy woman who needs permission and instruction to do anything, including taking her own life. Maltese, as Jean, moves from servility to sadistic as he removes Miss Julie’s power. All of the actors, including the playful and sometime nasty townsfolk, work together to create a first-class production of August Strindberg’s play. It is well worth seeing.

Miss Julie runs through Nov. 20 in the Black Box Theatre. Tickets are $10.00 for students with a valid student I.D, available at the PAC Box Office.