While many Third Coast Review readers may be absorbing the latest Ken Burns’ TV documentary about the American Revolution, I imagine that few are thinking about events happening on the “other side of the pond.” Next Act Theatre in Milwaukee provides somewhat of an answer with the current show, Boswell by Marie Kohler. As Ken Burns gives a blow-by-blow description of the battles fought (and won or lost) in America, Boswell describes the less bloody “battles” between the finest minds of that era in England and surrounding countries.
Chief among these intellectuals is Samuel Johnson (1709-1784), a well-regarded humorist, poet and lexicographer. Johnson spent several years researching and writing a famed dictionary of the English language. It is noted in Boswell that Johnson is so widely regarded for his intellect that he may be more popular than England’s king.
Among those who revere Johnson is a relatively unknown Scottish-born man named James Boswell (1740-1795). The son of a judge, he resists the professional career path that his father has set out for him. He'd much rather spend time in the more sophisticated city of London, where he discovers are all sorts of diversions. But what excites him most is the prospect of meeting Samuel Johnson.
Boswell (Josh Krause) can hardly believe his luck when a mutual friend announces that Johnson (Brian Mani) is on his way to his house. For some odd reason, the two men seem to "click." The budding friendship between the Great Man (Johnson) and his lesser-known protégé (Boswell) becomes the fabric for this well-crafted play.
Just as Ken Burns makes history come alive in one of his well-researched historical chapters, so does Wisconsin playwright Marie Kohler create similar magic onstage. With the help of a talented cast (many with ties to the American Players Theatre in Spring Green, Wisconsin), and the deft direction of Laura Gordon, Kohler accomplishes a great deal in the play’s 95-minute runtime.
The play initially is split into two separate stories. One of them involves Joan, a University of Chicago graduate student who, in the 1950s, is sent to Scotland for her research project. She has learned that one of Boswell’s Scottish descendants has an attic full of writings that may reveal unknown facts about Johnson. The intrepid Joan (Madeline Calais-King) travels to the home of the woman (played by Heidi Armbruster) and basically installs herself in the woman’s attic. Joan waves off offers of sustenance and conversation to concentrate more fully on the dusty papers at hand. The women regard each other coolly.
The play’s other track is set some 200 years earlier, as the young rogue Boswell and the eloquent and accomplished Johnson set out to explore Scotland. This is by far the more interesting story. Along the way, the men encounter other great minds of the era, such as painter Joshua Reynolds, philosopher David Hume and playwright Oliver Goldsmith (who wrote She Stoops to Conquer). There is much discussion between Johnson and Boswell (and some humorous spoofing) about the famed English actor David Garrick.
Throughout the Boswell/Johnson interactions, Boswell is an inveterate, self-described "scribbler" who makes observations of the world around him. Eventually, these diary entries become the basis upon which Boswell writes a lauded biography of Johnson.
Milwaukee Play Travels to Edinburgh, New York
Boswell had its premiere in Milwaukee some two decades ago. Since then, it has traveled to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and Off-Broadway. Both Mani and Krause played their roles in the New York production. They form an excellent artistic team, playing off each other in a friendly, comfortable manner.
Several other actors add a rich dimension to the Next Act show. Sarah Zapiain ably plays no less than six parts, both male and female. Actor David Cecsarini plays four parts, including Joan’s professor in Chicago. Cecsarini's face is particularly familiar to local audiences, as he served as Next Act’s artistic director for 30 years. Cecsarini got his start as an actor at the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis and was an original company member at APT in Spring Green.
(The Next Act artistic director is Cody Estle, formerly artistic director of Raven Theatre. He has been named a "Person to Watch" by American Theatre Magazine and a "Notable Leader in Art and Entertainment" by a Milwaukee business-oriented publication. He is a graduate of Columbia College Chicago.)
Eventually, the play’s twin themes begin to intertwine. As Johnson finally agrees to accompany Boswell on a trip to Scotland, Boswell is certain that the experience will improve Johnson’s impressions of the place. Johnson begins this long trek at age 64, a year before his death. It’s an ambitious undertaking for those past their physical prime. Johnson’s upbeat tour guide, Boswell, takes Johnson’s dour demeanor and physical limitations in stride. Along the way, they share a great deal of humorous exchanges.
During one conversation, Johnson chastises Boswell’s constant womanizing, particularly after Johnson meets Boswell’s gracious wife, Margaret (Zapiain). He cautions Boswell that losing his marriage may be the price of his infidelity.
Joan Chooses Her Own Career Path
Meanwhile, Joan is discouraged about the “gold mine” of material she had expected to find in the Scottish homeowner’s attic. The homeowner encourages Joan to disregard her professor’s orders to return home. She feels that Joan should follow her own instincts and dig deeper into Boswell’s journals. At first, Joan resists. But continuing to read Boswell’s writings seem to encourage her own independent spirit.
The Next Act production is enhanced by superior production design elements. Costumes by Misti Bradford are complemented by wig designer Dana Rochester. The play is set against a richly detailed set by Jody Sekas. She is also responsible for the prop design, which includes oil lanterns, boat rigging, "old" books, etc. Noele Stollmack's mottled lighting assists in attracting the audience's gaze to different areas of the set. Josh Schmidt's sound design enhances the production with sounds of bustling London and, later, the more tranquil sounds of birds and strong winds along Scotland's coast.
Playwright Marie Kohler is able to create a cohesive narrative that is well-paced and fluid. Her play brings together two very different sorts of men and demonstrates how they create a strong bond between them. It is an impressive effort, and one that may go far after its Milwaukee run.
Boswell plays through December 14 at Next Act Theatre, 255 S. Water St., Milwaukee. Tickets are available at nextact.org. The show runs 95 minutes, without an intermission.
