Fine work has gone into this Scott Schwartz adaptation of Willa Cather's 1918 novel about immigrant families in rural Nebraska. There are several effective scenes, the staging by Schwartz is graceful and flowing, and the dialogue is admirably literate. But Schwartz has overburdened his scenario and would do better to distill the story elements surrounding the relationship between the hero and a courageous Bohemian girl.
Schwartz structures his script, which spans 1884-1910, as a memory piece. Lawyer James Burden (Kevin Kilner) is on a cross-country trip going west. As his train nears Nebraska, where Burden lived as a teenager with his grandparents, he reminisces about Antonia Shimerda (Shiva Rose), the immigrant girl he came to love. As he looks back he encounters his former self, young Jim Burden (Michael Redfield), while figures from his past spring to life around him.
Though tender and often touching, the three-act saga, which runs some three hours, ambles along and is so loaded with subplots and characters that it becomes diffuse and lacks any sense of dramatic urgency.
Kilner is a compelling narrator, particularly moving as the story draws to a close and his character reunites with Antonia for the last time. Rose also shines in this scene, which awakens in the viewer thoughts about lost love, unrealized dreams, and painful regrets. Rose has a winning way and tugs at the heartstrings earlier in the play when Antonia is finally able to let go of her dead father.
There are also strong performances from Nancy Sauder as Antonia's mother and Karen Landry as Jim's grandmother. David Rogge provides a distinctive and powerful presence as Antonia's hardened brother, longing to return to his homeland. Orestes Arcuni does remarkable physical and emotional work as Antonia's spastic brother. Redfield has a boyish appeal but tends to perform on one note. The incidental music by Stephen Schwartz, often poignantly mournful, provides ambiance and adds immeasurably to the emotional context.
Presented by Rubicon Theatre Company and Michael Jackowitz at Pacific Resident Theatre, 703 Venice Blvd., Venice. Fri.-Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 3 p.m. (Also Thu. 8 p.m. Jul. 31.) Jun. 28-Aug. 3. (310) 822-8392. www.pacificresidenttheatre.com.