Word: alsemero
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...this strategy backfires. Brustein's carefully planned theoretical blueprint of the play is sabotaged by shoddy acting in several key roles. The chief blame rests with D'Aquila, whose mannish, histrionic performance never musters an ounce of sympathy. Her love affair with Alsemero (Harry S. Murphy) is discarded too early; and she changes into an evil murderess with only the slightest provocation, gushing at one point, "I am forced to love thee now for thou provides so well for mine honor...
Most of the supporting roles are competent, but lack individual character. Gaughan and Richard Blumenfeld as Jasperino both and a little spice to their scenes; but the real surprise comes from Peter Knapp as Alsemero, the nobleman Beatrice really loves. Knapp is a sleeper, underacting so much that he is almost unnoticeable for most of the play. But when he learns of his beloved's infidelity, he seems to come out of nowhere and shake the beams in the Leverett theater's ceiling with his bellow, "You are a whore...
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