Word: salieri
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...NIGHT with Amadeus is a night full of ironies, both painful and delicious. First of all, at centerstage, stands Mozart (Andrew Sullivan), "conceited, sniggering, infantine Mozart," who has been blessed with God's gift of musical genius, while Salieri (Jonathan Tolins), a man dedicated to doing the good of God, is doomed to the ranks of musical obscurity...
Just as ironic, but more pleasantly so, is that Salieri, that "Patron Saint of Mediocrities," has inspired such an ingenious and engrossing play. The final gem of irony, however, is merely a result of expert casting: Tolins, a sublime Salieri indeed, receives the standing ovation Salieri never deserved...
WEIR IS IMMEASURABLY aided in his ambitious task by a strong company. Everyone, from Salieri's Venticelli to the Viennese philistines, keeps the action lively. Two of the players, however, stand out from the rest...
Onstage at almost all times, Tolins wonderfully captures the many sides of Salieri and provides the production with a commanding central presence. Tolins shifts easily between narrating and taking part in the action, and thus keeps the show running smoothly. Better as the young man than the old, he nevertheless sustains subtle and shrewd acting throughout...
...giggling, philandering Mozart. In delightfully gaudy tailcoats, he plays the naughty, fidgety musical genius with a great spark of liveliness. His best moments are those showing the childlike glee of Mozart the composer, along with an endearing (and indeed pathetic) obliviousness to the envy and vengeance he arouses in Salieri. And, except for one awkward entrance, Sullivan modulates Mozart's downfall with fine control...