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AMADEUS

            Antonio Salieri (Ian Merrill Peakes) pleads with God 
Theaters are known to have ghosts. I saw one last night at  the Folger Theater.  It was Antonio Salieri,  in the starring role of Peter Shaffer’s Amadeus. 
As in his life, he played the bitter court composer at odds with the brilliant Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.  Once again, as in his life, he is not given credit as he always felt was his proper due for the program notes credit Ian Merrill Peakes as Salieri.
In Amadeus, Salieri is a ghostly figure who in his last hours before dying re-lives the story about how he is responsible for Mozart’s death.  Peakes is more than superb as the 18th century Viennese court composer whose rivalry with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is the stuff of this all consuming bitterness. Indeed Peakes is a strong actor for sure, but it is truly Salieri who takes over the stage in angry moments when he rages at God for placing  musical genius in a person such as the silly Mozart.
As the giddy Mozart,  Samuel Adams is also splendid—so alive, vibrant, fun —until his end when he isn’t of course.  Peakes and Adams are in sync in portraying these two who are opposite in every way from their manners to their music.
The staging was perfect.  What better way to set the tone for a drama about composers then place it in the inners of a giant musical instrument.  The strings that stretched to the height of the stage created perfect paths for the cast:  Justin Adams, Louis Butelli, Lilli Hokama, John Taylor Phillips, and Deidra LaWan Starnes to weave in and out of the scenes.
The story behind Amadeus  is suppose to be fictious.  An evening at this remarkable performance by Peakes and company—and with those solo moments by Salieri acting as himself— totally convinced me that it is all true.
Folger’s production of Peter Shaffer’s Amadeus.  Performances will run through December 22.
CREDITS: Photography by C. Stanley Photography


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