'Carnage' a feast of hostility

Schoolkids' scuffle puts parents at odds in play

By Michael Eck

Published 01:12 p.m., Wednesday, April 25, 2012

The title of Yasmina Reza's latest hit play is derived from a speech by Alan, a Blackberry-toting Brooklyn lawyer who pathologically refuses to put his device down.

Alan is the father of Benjamin, an 11-year-old boy who knocks out two of his friend Henry's teeth during a playground fracas.

Alan is broadly drawn, an archetype, even a caricature, which is only appropriate given that the show is a modern farce, built less on slamming doors than angry shouts and accusations.

Like Reza's ubiquitous "Art," "Carnage" is a play that provokes strong reactions by focusing a laser vision on the foibles of current- day society.

Brigitte Viellieu-Davis will portray Veronica in the play at Capital Repertory Theatre, where "Carnage" closes the 2011-2012 season in a staging helmed by the troupe's producing artistic director, Maggie Mancinelli-Cahill.

On stage

''GOD OF CARNAGE''

When: In previews beginning Friday. Opens 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Where: Capital Repertory Theatre, 111 S. Pearl St., Albany.

Continues: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 8 p.m. Friday; 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday.

Tickets: $20-$60

Info: 445-7469; http://www.capitalrep.org

Read MICHAEL ECK'S full preview of GOD OF CARNAGE at Capital Rep:

Michael Eck is a freelance writer from Albany and a frequent contributor to The Times Union.