In God of Carnage, a fight between two children in a park leads to an even bigger fight among their parents in a living room. The comedy by Yasmina Reza was recently staged by Washington University’s Performing Arts Department.

The play opens in the Brooklyn apartment of Michael and Veronica Novak. Alan and Annette Raleigh have come there to discuss the altercation in which Benjamin Raleigh struck Henry Novak in the face with a stick, breaking two teeth and injuring a nerve.

The parents’ interaction is civil at first, but reaching an understanding is difficult because they all have different priorities. Tension grows and alliances shift as trying to settle their differences leads to new ones. The resulting hostilities are serious for the participants but fun for the audience.

The changes in emotional temperature were astutely judged in the entertaining Washington U. production, which was directed by Sami Ginoplos. Amping up the aggression too quickly would have left the performers with no place to go for the rest of the play. Instead, they responded appropriately and credibly to each provocation.

The fine cast included Amariyon Green as Alan Raleigh, Hope McKinney as Annette Raleigh, AJ Harness as Michael Novak, and Samantha Campisi as Veronica Novak.

Sarah Cullinane’s scenic design took a cue from Veronica’s interest in modern art. Veronica is a writer who works part-time in an art history bookshop. Her coffee table was covered with art books. The one mentioned in the play is the rare catalogue of a Kokoschka exhibition. The works of art displayed against the deep blue rear wall spoke well of Veronica’s taste. The kitschy panels based on Mondrian paintings created a less favorable impression.

Asher Feinstein’s costumes reflected the social differences between the casually dressed Novaks and the more formal Raleighs. Zach Cohn’s lighting and Gigi Taillon’s sound enhanced the atmosphere. Emily Frei designed the properties. The cleverest prop was the throw pillow that concealed the apparatus used in the vomiting scene.

The play’s ending is unsettling because nothing is settled. Suggesting that the couples’ conflict is irresolvable is the saddest part of this mostly funny play.

—Gerry Kowarsky

Photo by Jack Rushen
From the left, Samantha Campisi as Veronica Novak, AJ Harness as Michael Novak, Hope McKinney as Annette Raleigh, and Amariyon Green as Alan Raleigh.