Liasons Review

By Dawn Watson

It is rare, even in Broadway-caliber theater, to witness an actor who actually believes that he or she is the person they are playing and not just “acting” like that character. It is the mark of an extraordinarily gifted performer who can convince audience members to truly suspend disbelief for an entire two-hour performance.

In “Les Liaisons Dangereuses,” now playing at the Southampton Cultural Center, be prepared to be held rapt by the rare talent of leading lady Brooke Alexander, who sets the bar quite high.

In the role of La Marquise de Merteuil, Ms. Alexander is simply stunning. She is mesmerizing on stage.

The building blocks of her inhabitation of the character start with the basics—the aesthetics of her look and costume. From her carefully drawn blood-red lips to the perfectly controlled chignon and elegant gowns, it is clear that Ms. Alexander is the Marquise.

Though her bio notes in the playbill state that she has never done theater, Ms. Alexander was so good as the duplicitous villainess, her performance on Sunday afternoon had this reviewer convinced that she had previously earned several Tony Awards.

Ms. Alexander particularly shines when she is on stage with Seth Hendricks, who plays her partner in crime and punishment, Le Vicomte de Valmont. The two of them are like snakes circling one another, hissing and threatening to strike but managing to keep up a dangerous dance while preserving a reluctant truce.

Mr. Hendricks, a dedicated actor, is quite convincing as the amoral schemer and master of seduction. With a mischievous grin and a twinkle in his eye as he ogles his many conquests with knowing looks, he conveys humor, sensitivity and depravity all the same time.

The play, written by Christopher Hampton and directed by Michael Disher for the Levitas Center for the Arts stage at the Southampton Cultural Center, is a theatrical adaptation of the 18th-century French novel “Les Liaisons Dangereuses” by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos and was made into the Academy Award-winning film “Dangerous Liaisons,” starring Glenn Close and John Malkovich in 1988. It’s interesting to note that Mr. Hendricks, in this play, steps into a role for the second time in a row that has been played famously in films by the master actor, Mr. Malkovich. His most recent character at the SCC was Lenny Small in “Of Mice and Men.”

“Les Liaisons Dangereuses” also hosts a strong supporting ensemble cast of East Enders frequently seen on local stages, including: Kasia Klimiuk, Barbara Jo Howard, Julie King, Susan Cincotta, Bonnie Grice, Adam Fronc, Vincent Carbone and Charles Parshley.

The innuendo and word play are fast and furious in this production. And the spare set—which resembles a white Stonehenge, with moveable blocks used as furniture—and smart use of lighting—shades of peach, lavender and violet red—add dimension the action.

Bottom line: Strong acting by the leads makes this drama a deliciously devilish two-hour liaison.

“Les Liaisons Dangereuses” will stage at the Southampton Cultural Center on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and on Sundays at 2:30 p.m., through April 1. Tickets are $22 and $12 for students under 21 with ID. For reservations or information, call 287-4377 or visit scc-arts.org.