One -time Ojai resident Thornton Wilder’s epic commentary on the cyclical nature of life, love, sex and war is now on stage at the Ojai Art Center Theater. By the Skin of Our Teeth stands along with Our Town and The Match Maker in achieving for Wilder a theatrical triumph trifecta of audience acceptance, historical acclaim, and time-tested relevance. This production ultimately does justice to the goal of its homegrown author and is an ambitious and well-chosen piece for this quaint, but respected, out of the way theatre.
By the Skin of our Teeth is generally considered Wilder’s third or fourth best known work, although it is widely recognized as his most intellectual and avant garde. The show was one of Wilder’s three Pulitzer Prize-winning works and derived directly from his foyer into absurdist and existential theatrical experimentation. Likewise, the text exemplifies Wilder’s own inner conflict with the trends of his time and shows a deep-seeded desire to comment, not only on universal themes, but also on the author’s state of being. Lacking all of the sweetness of his much beloved Our Town, By the Skin of Our Teeth muses on the pointlessness of the human endeavor with biblical proportion and epic storytelling grandeur. The story relates the many adventures of a family aptly bearing the name Antrobus (From the Greek term meaning human). Led by their patriarch George Antrobus (Ron Feltner), the family exists within the play over five thousand years from the Stone Age to the modern day. Over the centuries, the audience sees them as they deal with climate change, war, and the occasional extramarital affair. Yet, somehow, they always escape by the skin of their teeth. Each time we see them, they are about to face and overcome a great danger, only to be left in the end without resolution and again finding themselves in the same circumstance in which they started.
Director Richard Kuhlman muddles the first act considerably with an inconsistent mix of steam punk and satirically representational costumes. It is a mistake that is further compounded by mumbled lines and a seeming lack of character commitment and clarity at the onset. Kuhlman, however, redeems himself well in the second and third acts and the cast settles in, giving the show a stronger rhythm and through line that carries the show to a satisfying conclusion. Though the pace is at times sacrificed for spectacle, the three hour show proves to be an entertaining rendition of this difficult work and aptly delivers Wilder’s desired message for the piece.
The cast works well as a group with strong performances coming from Feltner as well as the youthful David Stewart in the role of the younger Antrobus, Henry. Adding to the ensemble are fine characterizations by Julia Wilson, Laura Ring, Zuzka Sabata, and Ezra Eells and Brittany Danyel in energetic bit roles. The set design by Neva Williams is effective and compliments well the strong lighting design by Steve Grumette that is particularly well-conceived in the apocalyptic third act.
All in all, this production of By the Skin of Our Teeth should be embraced by Ojai residents not only for its theatrical significance and performance value, but also for highlighting the work of an iconic author with local ties. One would think that a work of Wilder or another locally connected author could easily be included in every season at Ojai ACT to further accentuate the area’s strong artistic heritage.
By the Skin of Our Teeth runs through February 24th in Ojai. www.ojaiact.org (805) 640-8797.
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