By Tracy Hawkins
The dictionary defines the adjective “epic” as “heroic or grand in scale or character.” It is an apt term for the production of Stefano Massini’s “The Lehman Trilogy.” The original play, in French, ran for five hours. English-speaking audiences can enjoy Ben Power’s three-hour version. While that sounds like a long play, and the Arden has taken pains to warn theatergoers, it really does fly by. Director (and Producing Artistic Director) Terrence J. Nolen keeps the action moving at a crisp pace, and the production keeps the audience riveted throughout.
Akeem Davis (Mayer Lehman), Scott Greer (Henry Lehman), and Charlie DelMarcelle (Emanuel Lehman) in Arden Theatre Company’s 2024 production of “The Lehman Trilogy”. Photo By Ashley Smith, Wide Eyed Studios.
The play addresses the earliest origins of the investment bank which collapsed in 2008, beginning with the arrival of Henry Lehman (born Hayum Lehmann in Germany) in the US in 1844. Henry opened a dry goods store in Montgomery, Alabama, and was eventually joined by his younger brothers Emanuel and Mayer, whereupon their store became “Lehman Brothers.” The brothers’ entrepreneurial spirit allows their business to evolve over time until there are no longer Lehmans at the helm, and the company ceases to exist.
Three actors portray the three brothers, their children (toddlers to adults), their wives, fathers-in-law, business contacts and neighbors. It is a heavy lift, but the cast is very much up to the challenge. Akeem Davis, Charlie DelMarcelle, and Scott Greer take the observer through the lives of the brothers and their descendants with some of the dialogue in the first person, but much in the form of narration. It would be almost impossible to convey so much information and history in any other form, and it adds an impersonal air to the play. Did they make all of their early money from cotton bought from plantations? Well, yes. Did they take advantage of every opportunity, even to the extent of exploiting tragedies? Well, yes. The play makes no mention of the fact that the brothers were, themselves, slaveowners. The implications of all of this are not judged outright in the course of the play, but left to the audience to consider.
As for the performances themselves, this is top tier acting. Scott Greer takes the stage as Henry and conveys both the confidence of the young immigrant, but also his uncertainty in what lies ahead. Charlie DelMarcelle who begins as the second brother, Emanuel, holds himself as rigidly as Emanuel does everything – including issuing a marriage proposal. Akeem Davis portrays the young Mayer, who is something of a peacemaker between his older siblings, and later conjures the aging Mayer with the simple addition of a pair of glasses and a subtle change of posture and softening of his speech.
The production elements are up to Arden’s usual impeccable standards. Asaki Kuruma’s costumes are particularly eye-catching, which is quite a feat, given that the three actors wear some variation of the same thing (white shirt, dark coat) over and over, with changes only for the fashions changing with the times. Jorge Cousineau’s scenic and video design are critical components, not only for transporting the action from Montgomery to New York, but also for the images which denote the passing of time, but also the brothers’ fortunes. Lighting designer Krista Smith and Sound Designer Christopher Colucci (who also provides original music) contribute to the overall effect of this epic work.
If you’ve never seen “The Lehman Trilogy,” see it now. If you’ve seen it before, see it again, now. You will be so glad you did.
If you go:
Performances begin at 1 PM for matinees and 7 PM for evenings. The show runs approximately three hours and 15 minutes with two ten-minute intermissions. Tickets are available at www.ardentheatre.org. The show has been extended through April 14.