In Inventing Van Gogh, by Steven Dietz, a modern day painter is visited in
his studio by Van Gogh, Gauguin, and others of the 19th Century art world in
an examination of the meaning of art and what it means to be an artist. The
play is challenging, requiring more concentration than the usual stage fare, but
often gripping, and with the added bonus of being an primer on Van Gogh's life
and work. Oanh Nguyen once again proves why he's one of our finest young
directors and Casey Long's reliably dynamic performance shows why he's so
often center stage at the Chance. The best reason to see Inventing Van Gogh
is David J. Dalton's star-making turn as Van Gogh. Electric but never
over-the-top, Dalton vanishes inside Van Gogh's skin, allowing the audience to
see his genius and his torment. Hopefully this performance will be remembered
in awards season. Two of the actors affect "oh la la Paree" French accents to
show that their characters are speaking French. Bad choice, bad result. Other
than that, Inventing Van Gogh is yet another chance that has paid off for the
Chance.
FEBRUARY 2007, CHANCE THEATER, ANAHEIM HILLS.