The production of METAMORPHOSES by Mary Zimmerman currently at the NAC is a perfect example of a very good production of a very weak play.  METAMORPHOSES  is based on the myths of Ovid and is staged, apparently at the request of the playwright, primarily in and around pools of water.  The watery gimmicks disguise the fact that there’s not much of a play there, and what there is comes off as both sophomoric and pretentious.  The script is rather what one would expect from a university MFA program, not professional theatre.  That said, I repeat that the production is first rate.

Bretta Gerecke’s eye-catching double level set of silvery metal features not one but two pools.  The smaller tank on the upper level has a glass front, allowing the audience to see what’s happening under water.  The large square pool below appears to be about a foot deep and gives the actors plenty of room to slosh around as well as sit on the surrounding benches.  Stairs right and left connect the levels, and – oh – more water.  It constantly rains in a band onto the upper level and pool.  Miss Gereke’s costumes are excellent and clever, especially that for Apollo. …

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