By Kristen Nevarez Schweizer
April 21, 2024
When WWII finally ended and the Nuremberg trials began, American Army psychiatrist Dr. Douglas M. Kelley was tasked to interview the accused Nazi leaders and upkeep their mental fitness to prevent suicides. Dr. Kelley’s charges included the enigmatic Hermann Göring, the highest-ranking Nazi captured alive. North Coast Repertory Theatre’s world premiere play hones in on the relationship between Kelley and Göring, along with the lingering effects of these meetings. “A Sense of Decency” written by Jake Broder (who also stepped in as co-director when NCRT’s Artistic Director David Ellenstein fell ill early in the rehearsal process) opened on April 20 and runs through May 12, 2024.
Before arriving in Germany, newlywed Kelley (Brendan Ford) already plans to publish a book about his Nazi interviews, with a focus on Göring (magnetic Frank Corrado). This ambition begins the metal wrestling between these men; both intelligent enough to know the dynamics of power, fear, and seeking one’s place in history. The two match wits to measure their morality, skill at manipulation, and sense of self-worth through engaging scenes. Woven—and sometimes shoe-horned in—are conversations with their wives (both played by Lucy Davenport). Kelley’s willingness to listen to his wife’s wise counsel and respect her hard “no” made for endearing character development that brought more weight to the ending. The heavy, heady source material is buoyed by several surprisingly whimsical moments, and it is the light and darkness that force audiences to consider the past and present.
“A Sense of Decency” is a clear example of NCRT’s commitment to fostering new work for San Diego that will continue far beyond its intimate world-class stage. Commissioning a new drama is a brave and financially risky choice, as theatre audiences gravitate toward tried-and-true classic plays, musicals, and comedies. North Coast Repertory Theatre stacked the cards in their favor with popular material as this play is inspired by Jack El-Hai’s popular 2013 book The Nazi and the Psychiatrist.
Their intuition pays off as this show opens ahead of the coming film Nuremberg also based on the book, set to star Russel Crowe as Göring and Rami Malek as Kelley. The heavyweight, charged conversations are ideal drama and perfect for university acting scene work.
However, rushed transitions between scenes shortchange audiences from digesting gorgeous final lines. This three-person drama misses out on the veteran hands of Ellenstein in developing the opening and last third of the show, though the final moment is haunting and lovely.
Göring’s abhorrent resume and continued speculation surrounding his and Dr. Kelley’s deaths remain fascinating, even after nearly a hundred years. Regardless of one’s takeaway from Broder’s interpretation, “A Sense of Decency” promises a provocative conversation and an invitation to self-reflection worthy of the price of admission.
North Coast Repertory Theatre
A Sense of Decency by Jake Broder
Co-directed by Jake Broder and David Ellenstein
April 20 – May 12, 2024
