I agree with you that Alfieri's presence in the van Hove production largely seems unnecessary. I don't feel that Redhook as a specific place and time is necessary but throwing out any kind of social context which van Hove's production does flattens out the play rather than deepens it. I don't think van Hove stripped the play down to its essence as many believe he did. But I do think he's a director with a great sense of style and panache and a sure sense of erotic tension. I thought the production was very effective but I missed the social drama and complexity of Miler's play. I much preferred the more prosaic, un-chic production of THE PRICE that the Roundabout did last year.
