In what Jean Giraudoux playfully estimated as the 38th retelling of the classic Greek tale of Amphitryon, the noted French playwright treated audiences to a witty, philosophic discussion of the relationships between men, women, and the gods.
Giraudoux’s 1929 adaptation, “Amphitryon 38,” hints at the timelessness of this story by using the Roman names of the heavenly pantheon in conjunction with the original Greek mortals — universalizing the discourse before it begins.
Germinal Stage-Denver director Ed Baierlein opens his staging with a flourish, presenting Jupiter and Mercury as a sideshow masque, the two figures painted on a board and represented in their mythological glory, in the clouds with thunderbolts and winged heels, their faces cut out so that Baierlein (Jupiter) and David Quinn (Mercury) can insert their own, as if for a-day- at-the-circus photograph.
Jupiter has been eying the lovely earth woman Alkmena (Gina Wencel), wife of the Theban general, Amphitryon (Sam Gilstrap), as a vessel for his son, Hercules, to be born. Mercury waxes on the banality of sex on the material plane, but agrees to accede to Jupiter’s desire and facilitate the tryst. The pair descend from the sky as two dapper, mustachioed gentlemen in costumer Sallie Diamond’s jocular array of tweed, plaid, stripes and two-toned shoes.
With Amphitryon away to fight a war of Jupiter’s creation, Jupiter himself is free to seduce Alkmena, but he is uncharacteristically stymied by her loyalty to her husband and her quick and clever mind. It will take the father of all Herculean efforts to resolve this one; luckily, that’s who Jupiter is —and in Giraudoux, he has a writer suited to the task.
It’s easy to see why this has been such a popular play through the ages. The set-up is quick and leaves the door wide open for the broadest musings on love and war. Jupiter piques our interest by wondering whether Alkmena will be faithful to herself or her husband, but since he is omniscient, he already knows how to resolve this dilemma.
Giraudoux’s wit and insights on bodies politic and corporeal are artfully delivered by a host of distinctive characters. The dalliance between Baierlein and Wencel is rife with meaning on so many levels that we are left with no choice but to surrender to the moment and enjoy.
Quinn’s Mercury is a high-energy bundle of incisive repartee and physical antics; Suzanna Wellens delivers a plum as the randy and rueful Lida, who has some unfinished business with Jupiter after their famous encounter in which he visited her as a swan.
The male of the species is epitomized by Gilstrap’s thoughtless devotion and lust for combat and glory; Mark K. Moran’s droll Trumpeter, who heralds the drums of war; Dan Tchirhart’s servile messenger, Sosie, an agent of state propaganda; and Paul M. Barner’s bullet-headed Warrior, who calls upon the lowest instincts and oldest lies to marshal the poor, the rich, and the zealots for war.
Giraudoux’s sophisticated and engaging sense of humor sets the stage for a thoughtful take on an age-old story, offering a variety of original and challenging notions regarding our ability to forgive and forget.
Bob Bows also reviews theater for KUVO/89.3 FM, and for his own website, . He can be reached at bbows@coloradodrama.com.
“Amphitryon 38” *** (out of four stars)
Comedy of ideas. Presented by Germinal Stage-Denver, 2450 W. 44th Ave. Written by Jean Giraudoux. Adapted by S.N. Behrman. Directed by Ed Baierlein. Starring Baierlein, David Quinn, Dan Tchirhart, Marc K. Moran, Paul M. Barner, Gina Wencel, Sam Gilstrap and Suzanna Wellens. Through June 13. 2 hours, 10 minutes. 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 7 p.m. Sundays. $17.75-21.75. 303-455-7108 or
