The Lehman Trilogy, in the vast space of the Park Avenue Armory for a limited run after engagements in Europe and London, conveys the story of 150 years of the titular financial clan. Lehman, by Italian playwright Stefano Massini adapted to English by Ben Power, is a sweeping tale with three world-class actors (Simon Russell Beale, Ben Miles, and Adam Godley) enacting all the roles in the saga of the family as they progress from immigrant storeowners in Alabama to kings of the trading floor on Wall Street to losing everything in the crash of 2008. Massini’s script brilliantly details what could have a dry recitation of economic theory and history by emphasizing the personal stories of the Lehmans and employing clever metaphors for their rise in the world. Cards, tightrope walking, dancing, and torrential storms are all used to depict the ups and downs of the clan’s American journey. Director Sam Mendes skillfully finds theatrical movement to bring these concepts to life, aided by Luke Halls’ evocative video projections and Jon Clark’s lighting.
On Es Delvin’s massive, revolving cube of a set, Beale, Miles, and Godley become a galaxy of characters ranging from the original three Lehman brothers to calculating entrepreneurs to blushing brides to cynical divorcees to aggressive day traders. All three are magical in their transformations, but Beale is especially mercurial creating indelible impressions of the imperial brother Henry, talkative brainy nephew Philip, racy, witty, scandalous wife Ruth; and numerous others.
Godley enchantingly conveys a slew of potential spouses for the exacting Philip, the conciliatory brother Mayer, and the ambitious Bobby, Philip’s son. Miles captures the tiger-like aggression of brother Emanuel as well as the take-no-prisoner trader Lewis Glucksman who eventually takes over the firm.
