I didn't feel there was anything wrong with Carlson's work. He was an exquisitely beautiful, fine-featured, diaphonous sort of presence onstage, which made it difficult for him to pass as "normal" or even seem hetero-normative. He wasn't your ordinary "out" gay son, if that's what "The Goat" needed. But his physical and vocal instrument was fine-tuned, and his emotional sensitivities were intriguing.
I saw his DC Hamlet (Ted VonGriethuysen was a memorable Player King), and, though he was once again exquisite, it was difficult to think of him as a real, capable prince. His Off-Broadway (Lortel) appearance in a nice Byron Lavely piece worked best because he was playing someone (a transvestite?) where his gender-type was more fitting. These days, he might work more frequently and to advantage in our world's shifting gender paradigm. But a very good actor. Just a rather unorthodox type. |
