Judith & Vinegar Tom, a Double Bill by PTC/NYC (Potomac Theater Project); through August 9
Judith: A Parting from the Body by Howard Barker, is based loosely on the Biblical tale of this woman's heroism as depicted by artists through the ages including Artemesia Gentileschi, Botticelli, Lucas Cranach the Elder and Gustav Klimt. In Barker's rendition, Judith, played by Pamela J. Gray, comes to the tent of Holofernes, wiry Alex Draper, accompanied by The Servant, brought to life by the excellent Patricia Buckley and garbed somewhat like a modern Orthodox Jewish woman in black hat and pearls. In this version, the fatal encounter is a complex duel of seduction and deception that requires the audience to stay alert as the narrative is challenging. We know how the story ends but, at times, aren't sure it will move along the traditional directions as the actors lie to one another often leaving truth in doubt.
