Review: 'Amadeus' Electrifies at Gamm Theatre

"Amadeus" by Peter Schaffer ("Equus") fictionalizes a turbulent relationship between composers Antonio Salieiri and Mozart with tragic consequences. First performed at the Royal National Theatre in London in 1979, the play premiered on Broadway in 1981 with Ian McKellan as Salieiri, Tim Curry as Mozart, and Jane Seymour as Constanze. An acclaimed film version in 1984 garnered no less than eight Academy Awards, including best picture. And while the play doesn't rely on historical accuracy, it does make for an entertaining night of theater.

Now Gamm Theatre brings the story to its stage. Antonio Salieri (Steve Kidd) is an old man, recounting the details of his supposed murder of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Michael Liebhauser). Before they met in the past, Salieri, a composer himself to the royal court of Emperor Joseph II (Casey Seymour Kim), admired Mozart's music and reputation, but upon meeting him found the wunderkind crass and entitled. As Mozart is introduced to the Royal Court, Salieri composes a simple march, which Mozart takes and improves upon, giving the elder pause and vows to ruin the young talent. Declaring a war on Mozart, Salieri seeks to destroy the man whose delightful compositions would gain eternal popularity.

For his part, Mozart wishes to gain status in the Royal circles and befriends Salieri, hoping their relationship will yield opportunities to teach royalty. While the elder man has many pupils, Mozart has only three, though he fancies himself a part of the glamorous and lucrative world he is only able to scratch the surface of. Marrying his love Constanze (Alison Russo) despite his father's wishes to marry someone other than a commoner, he utilizes his ability to write compositions quickly.

Gamm artistic director Tony Esrella crafts a seamless and lively production highlighted in no small part by accompanist Judith Lynn Stillman, herself a composer and pianist and the professor of music at Rhode Island College. The music flows through her piano and is often flanked by a chorus of the supporting cast. Jessica Hill Kidd's gorgeous set design transports us to 1823 and the costumes by Mikayla Reid are fabulous and as opulent as you'd imagine; even the commoners look great.

Kidd is electric as Salieri; his tortured "mediocre" composer is plainly written on his features as he gives a bravura performance. Russo is an absolute delight as Constanze; she has great chemistry with Liebhauser's Mozart, who is a frantic figure filled with fun one moment and painful regret the very next. He bounces around the stage in an incredibly physical role, and makes it amazing to witness. Kim's Emperor is also a delight; she imbues the performance with humor and dry wit. Estrella has chosen his cast well, and at nearly three hours long, "Amadeus" never fails to capture his audience and hold them rapt.

"Amadeus" is running through December 1 at The Gamm Theatre, 1245 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick, RI 02886. For information or tickets call 401-723-4266 or visit www.gammtheatre.org.