PTP/NYC: Scenes From An Execution

Scenes Of An Execution starred the tour de force, Ms. Jan Maxwell. Ms. Jan Maxwell has been quoted saying that her performance in Scenes Of An Execution will be her final stage performance. Ms. Jan Maxwell shines in every scene that she is in. The stage felt too small for her performance. I left this play feeling drained from Ms. Maxwell’s performance because of her intensity.
So I understood that this play is a revival. Ms. Jan Maxwell’s character is Galactia, who is a renown female painter in Venice during the 16^th century. Galactia was commissioned by the Doge of Venice to paint the Venice’s victory over the Turks at the Battle of Lepanto in 1571. Since the State commissioned for this painting, Galactia is expected to create a painting in tribute to celebrate the Venetian Republic’s victory over the Ottoman Empire at Lepanto. Galactia instead decided on her own to paint the truth of war with scenes of violence. Galactia had to paint the truth of war from her own imagination since she was not present at the Battle of Lepanto. Galactia did speak to a veteran to get first hand information about the war. Let’s just say the State and the Church was not happy with Galactia’s painting.
I found the acting to be quite intense in this dramatic play. The set was minimalist which I’ve come to expect in Off Broadway productions.
The play will be at the Atlantic Stage 2 for a limited engagement, until August 9, 2015.