Frank Wedekind (1864-1918) was ahead of his time with this powerful 1891 tragedy of adolescence and sexual repression in rural Germany. Its frank depiction of juvenile pregnancy, child abuse, suicide, masturbation, sadism, masochism, hypocrisy, abortion, and homosexuality caused it to be branded as pornography, but over the years it has established its seriousness and respectability, and there have been numerous productions of it, including a Broadway musical version. The richness of its characters and themes and its heady sexuality proved tempting to iconoclastic directors who've launched a wide array of adaptations, innovations, and curious interpretations.
This production, directed by Evan Drane, is more faithful than most. The script is mostly intact, telling the tale of 14-year-old Wendla (Eleanor Van Hest), who gets pregnant, because nobody explained the facts of life to her. Young Moritz (Nick McDow), terrified of failing in school and confused about sexuality, begs his friend Melchior (Luke Bailey) to write a description of the process of copulation for his enlightenment. When Moritz commits suicide, the document falls into the hands of the school authorities. It's branded as smut, and Melchior is sent off to a reformatory, with disastrous consequences for all.
It's a fine production, despite curious directorial choices. There's nothing in the text to suggest that Wendla's mother (Morgan Early) is a military martinet or that Melchior's mother (Olivia Choate) is an incorrigible vamp. And the occasional shouting, rapid speech, or excessively busy staging makes the dialogue hard to grasp.
The performances are generally excellent. Particularly memorable are the three central young people — Van Hest, McDow, and Bailey — but one must also mention Choate, whose scene with her character's husband (Matt Scheuller) is beautifully played. David Hassett finds comedy in the onanistic Hanschen Rilow, and Kyle Cadman makes a striking figure as the mysterious Man in the Mask.
Set and lighting by Franรงois-Pierre Couture and costumes by Shannon Kennedy effectively evoke the play's mixture of gritty reality and fantasy.
Presented by the Los Angeles Theatre Ensemble at the Powerhouse Theatre, 3116 Second St., Santa Monica. Thu.-Sat. 8 p.m. (Also Wed. 8 p.m. Jul. 23.) Jul. 3-26. (310) 396-3680, ext. 3. www.latensemble.org.