LENI

Wednesday, October 25, 2006
WILLAMETTE WEEK
by Ben Waterhouse

Local actress and director Sarah Greenman makes her tremendous playwrighting debut with this thoughtful, provocative and thoroughly enjoyable examination of the many faces of history's most infamous filmmaker. The exceedingly talented JoAnn Johnson (Humble Boy, Wit) and promising newcomer Cecily Overman play old and young versions of Nazi auteur Leni Riefenstahl, united after death to make a film that sets her record straight. The only trouble is that the Riefenstahls can't or won't remember just how involved they were with the Reich. The first play to be staged at the beautifully restored Academy Theater, Leni backs up Johnson's and Overman's excellent performances with footage from Riefenstahl's films and cleverly minimalist lighting by Glenn Fujimura to create a fine production that asks some challenging questions about artists' responsibilities in trying times.
BEN WATERHOUSE. Insight Out Theatre Collective at the Academy Theatre, 7818 SE Stark St., 493-8070. 8:30 pm Thursdays-Saturdays; 1 pm Sunday, Oct. 29; 10:30 am Wednesday, Nov. 1. $15.