Pasadena Playhouse Stuns with "The Visit"

Pasadena Playhouse presents "The Visit," a vintage black comedy by Friedrich Dürrenmatt, helmed by director Darko Tresnjak and starring Jefferson Mays. This production follows their acclaimed "Amadeus" revival, with a shared cast and crew.

Jefferson Mays portrays Anton Schill, a passive shopkeeper haunted by his past, a stark contrast to his previous role. Melinda Page Hamilton shines as Claire Zachanassian, an immensely wealthy woman returning to her impoverished hometown with a shocking ultimatum.

Claire offers the town a billion-dollar donation to revive its economy, but only if they deliver Anton Schill to her dead. This shocking proposal, revealed early, drives the play's exploration of corruption and vengeance.

The production is noted for its creative staging, including the use of sneakers to symbolize complicity and modern cameras and video screens to bring the narrative into the 2020s.

Despite its predictable trajectory, the play is lauded for its bold themes and the powerful performances of Mays and Hamilton, making it a memorable, albeit polarizing, theatrical event.