Careful Who You Trust at Yale Repertory’s Production of The Inspector

 Careful Who You Trust at Yale Repertory’s Production of The Inspector

By David Pulvermacher

Intern of the Connecticut Critic’s Circle 

Conspiracy and corruption have taken over Yale Repertory’s production of The Inspector. Lurk along as the Mayor of a small nameless Russian town attempts to coerce the inspector to turn a blind eye to his corruption. Can the Mayor and his pretentious public leaders appease him, or will they discover the truth about the so called inspector? Written by Nikolai Gogol, The Inspector delivers a mischievous and whimsical satire about the costs of greed and self-serving behaviors. Director Yura Kordonsky and the cast portray the story in a way that honors Gogol’s original ideas while creating a compelling story that feels relevant to our modern times. 

(Photo by Joan Marcus)

The Mayor calls upon his public officials to meet at his home to discuss a matter that could ruin their livelihoods. An undercover inspector from St. Petersburg is being sent to their small town to evaluate the quality of life. This terrifies the Mayor and his delegates because as they live lavishly, the townspeople starve and struggle. Fearing their corrupt ways would be discovered, the Mayor (Brandon E. Burton) delegates his officials to cover up their specific messes. All the while, the Mayor’s Wife, Anna (Elizabeth Stahlmann), and his daughter, Marya (Chinna Palmer), desperately seek information about their strange new visitor. 

(Photo by Joan Marcus)

As the Mayor and his cronies plot, two locals, Bobchinsky (Edoardo Benzoni) and Dobchinsky (Malik James), barge into their meeting to warn the Mayor of the Inspector’s arrival. Running with their intel, the Mayor and the officials scurry out to welcome and bribe the inspector. Yet, little do they realize that the man they are about to wine and dine is no inspector. Ivan Khlestakov (Samuel Douglas) is an immature son of an aristocrat who is down on his luck. With his funds cut off by his father and the last of his money gambled away, Ivan and his servant Osip (Nomè SiDone) are trapped in town and are scraping by at the local hotel. Chaos and absurdity commence once Ivan and the Mayor’s paths cross. Ivan takes as much as the Mayor and his people are able to bribe him with. When all is said and done, can the shenanigans survive the multitude of lies and deception?

The performances were engaging, but none were as captivating as Samuel Douglas’s interpretation of Ivan Khlestakov. Douglas showcased a great range that kept the audience on their toes. From sharp wits when gallivanting in the Mayor’s palace to bombastic meltdowns like an infant, the actor captures the viewers’ attention from the very first moments he appears on stage. Douglas’s physicality is comical and captivating. As the show progresses, Ivan’s manipulation and breakdowns intensify. He leaves you wondering how far Ivan will risk stretching his scam.

As Ivan’s right hand, Osip, Nomè SiDone is the foil that accentuates Ivan’s outlandish behavior. While nearly as present as Ivan, Osip blends into the setting until he’s needed. While Ivan curries favor through his over-the-top anecdotes, SiDone’s even-keel portrayal allows for a greater distinction between him and Ivan, which comedically plays well. 

(Photo by Joan Marcus)

Brandon E. Burton’s performance as the Mayor emphasizes the satire of political officials. He commands the stage with conviction. Whether it’s dictating to his officials on the cover-up plan or pleading with Ivan not to report bad news to St. Petersburg, Burton keeps pace with Douglas and reinforces the show’s themes of deception and the cost of self-indulgence. 

The choice Yura Kordonsky makes to incorporate the audience as citizens was a clever decision. Early on in the show, Anna and Marya crave information about the inspector and ask the audience for help. Turning the audience into townspeople, Anna breaks the fourth wall and instructs several members to learn more about the inspector on their behalf. This unique choice has charm in making one feel a part of the community. Kordonsky also sets props across the theater. When we first meet Ivan, he is putting out his laundry on a line to dry that is set up over the heads of viewers sitting in certain sections of the theater. The director’s emphasis on slapstick humor will resonate with some audience members more than others. 

The scenic design by Silin Chen creates authenticity in Kordansky’s world. Like many older Russian towns, the Mayor’s house is disheveled and falling apart. Spray paint on the fencing and crumbling walls emphasizes the lack of care and detail the officials have in the upkeep of their town. This contrasted well with the inside of the Mayor’s house, which was filled with nice furniture and a beautiful chandelier. The duality between the scenes reinforces the contrasts between the rich and the poor. 

(Photo by Joan Marcus)

With humor and satire, The Inspector is a comedic show that’s entertaining to mature audiences. Its discussion on corruption, gossip, and greed is still engaging and relevant nearly two hundred years after it was first written. The Inspector is playing at the Yale Repertory Theater through March 29th. Tickets start as low as $15. On March 26th, there will be open captions in Spanish and an open caption in English on the 29th. For more detailed information, please contact Yale Repertory Theater at (203) 432-1234, at their website at https://yalerep.org/, or at the box office at 1120 Chapel St, New Haven, CT 06510