Theater Review: Elling

Roommates from Hell -- or Maybe from Heaven?
By Lauren Yarger
Just how well do we know -- or want to know -- anyone or ourselves for that matter?

Simon Bent’s new English adaptation of Elling (Angvar Ambjornsen, novel; Axel Hellstenius, original stage and film adaptation) explores that question as two men become roommates in present-day Oslo, Norway.

Denis O’Hare is the title character, paired with Kjell Bjarne (Brendan Fraser, making his Broadway debut) by social worker Frank Asli (Jeremy Shamos) first in a home for the mentally ill, then in a government supplied apartment when the men are released to see whether they can make it on their own. Both men have issues. Elling is still trying to adjust following the death of his overbearing mother and doesn’t want to meet people or go out of the house. Bjarne’s mother situaton was a little different. He thought about killing her a lot. Meanwhile, he gets excited at the mere mention of the word “sex” and wants to meet a girl.

He does: upstairs neighbor Reidun Nordsletten (the incomparable Jennifer Coolidge, unfortunately underused in the several roles she plays here). Elling is jealous of the relationship, until he discovers his proclivity for poetry and forms his own friendship with once-famous poet Alfons Jorgensen (Richard Easton).

The play contains some intriguing thoughts about how people become dependent on each other and how difficult it is to forge one’s own path. As a sidebar, it’s also somewhat eye-opening about the realities of government-controlled health care. O’Hare gives a compelling performance of the paranoid, fragile Elling. Fraser holds his own as the slow-witted, horny Bjarne. Doung Hughes directs.

Elling has posted a closing notice. It will run at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre, 243 West 47th St., NYC through Nov. 28. Discounted tickets are available through Masterwork Productions by clicking here.

Christians might also like to know:
-- Language
-- Sexual dialogue
-- God’s name taken in vain
-- Porn magazine shown
-- The roommates exchange underwear -- other clothing covers their private areas -- at least I didn’t see any nudity from my angle.
-- Show posts a MATURE advisory.