Review: 'The Poor of New York' by The Group Rep

The action of The Poor of New York takes place in 1837 and 1857, but the theme is perennial: the corruption and greed of Wall Street.  's revival of Dion Boucicault's 19th-century play is a reminder that bankers always need to be watched carefully, lest they make off with the tip jar.

Billed as a melodrama, director Larry Eisenberg's program notes state his decision to play it straight, rather than sending up the genre. It's the right choice, as the Group Rep is able to avoid the anachronism of high camp.

All the elements of Victorian stage melodrama are present, from the music played at a soft volume throughout, to the introduction of stock characters types, who often speak their thoughts in stage whispers directly to the audience.

The heroic Captain Fairweather (Larry Eisenberg), is fooled by a dastardly villain, banker Gideon Bloodgood (Chris Winfield). Bloodgood's criminal dealings leave a damsel in distress, Lucy Fairweather (Kate O'Toole), who can no longer help her frail mother, Mrs. Fairweather (Juliana Olinka).

The villainous Gideon Bloodgood is played with excellent sang froid by Chris Winfield. Bloodgood is prospering as the owner of a Wall Street bank, but fires employees anyway, using the recession he helped create as an excuse. His progeny, Alida Bloodgood (Trisha Hershberger) is another character modern audiences will recognize: the talentless, spoiled socialite heiress. Hershberger imbues her role with a large dollop of celebutante vapidity.

The director makes good use of modern stagecraft, too. Videographer Christian Ackerman shifts the scene to a film screen at the back of the stage, where the action appears in black-and-white, silent-movie style. A skilful blend of past and present, with a diligent performance from the ensemble cast, Eisenberg's smart presentation of Boucicault's play is both deft and timely.

The Poor of New York, the Group Rep at the Lonny Chapman Theatre. Paying June 3–10. For showtimes and tickets, click here.