SATC Production "The Baroness Isak Dinesen's Final Affair" by Krebs

SATC (Scandinavian Amer Theater Co) presents Danish playwright/actor Thor Bjorn Krebs' (b 1974) play "The Baroness Isak Dinesen's Final Affair" at the Clurman Theater.  SATC founded in 2009 is a NYC based non-profit theater co. that supports & promotes contemporary playwrights & artists from the Nordic region.  Isak Dinesen is the nom de plume for the notorious & highly regarded Danish writer Baroness Karen von Blixon-Finecke,  known for her beloved novels "Out of Africa" & "Babette's Feast."  She's highly regarded for her short stories; "Seven Gothic Tales."  Dinesen's fascinating life (b Denmark 1895-1962) is revealed from the narrative of the Danish poet/writer Thorkild Bjornvig (b 1918-2004) who maintained a 7 yr relationship with her from 1948-55.  They were first introduced by the wife of Bjornvig's major patron when he was 29 & she was 62.  Dinesen exudes great admiration for his poetry & captivates him.  She entices him to remain as her houseguest & push asunder his wife, child & anything that may deter his creative genius.   Bjornvig (well played by Conrad Ardelius) is easily manipulated by the overpowering  Dinesen (an overblown Dee Pelletier "Osage County").  He resides with her shunning almost everyone & everything else besides his writing, their intoxicating drinking, discussions & dalliance.  Dinesen's persona which Bjornvig claims to be a facade imitates Gloria Swanson's performance in "Sunset Blvd".  This is disruptive to the play's intent to examine the exacting toll to being a great artist.  "Great artists are not peaceful souls."  Chopin's nocturnes are played on the gramophone & the set is continuously pared down to resemble a minimalistic, Mondrian painting.  Dinesen speaks of leaving a legacy opening the gate to divinity through art.  Unfortunately, the pact she insists between them, replete with blood & dagger smears the essence of what could have been an enlightening, esoteric biopic of two talented writers whose paths meshed.  "A great artist is never poor." (ID) And, I would add less is more.