Applause filled the room as the actors took their final bows, whistles, and laughter, celebrating the Theater Group at City College’s preview of its new performance, “Crime and Punishment, A Comedy”.

As someone who has neither read “Crime and Punishment” nor considers themselves an avid theatergoer, I enjoyed this fast-paced, 90-minute production. The cast had undeniable chemistry making it clear that this was as fun for them to perform as it was for us to watch.

Director Michael Bernard emphasizes in the program the looseness of this interpretation, just a friendly heads-up for lovers of classic literature. But rather than simply serving as a historical rendition, the play connects themes from 1886 Russia to modern-day realities. The humor lands well when poking fun at bureaucratic systems that take more than they give, an issue just as recognizable now as it was more than a century ago. These moments of relatability allow the audience to laugh at the absurdity of our present day.

Technical elements deserve their own applause. Lighting often was like its own character, shifting the mood and even adding a sense of whimsy. The minimalist set, though effective for transitions, may have benefited from more physical props to anchor the narrative. While pantomiming has its place in improv tangible stage props could have benefited certain scenes giving a visual to key moments. The costumes felt period accurate despite some scarf malfunctions. Overall the seamless blocking and fluid transitions kept the pacing tight making it impressive to watch actors shift from one character to another with good timing.

Among the standout performances Benjamin Curtis stole the show as the bumbling yet endearing Dimitry. From his entrance, his full-body portrayal immediately got people’s attention. His comedic timing was impeccable, earning frequent bursts of laughter. Beyond his humorous delivery, Curtis played his character amazingly, delivering a side of comedic relief when scenes got heavy. 

Raina Williams, in her role as Dunya, leaned into the serious aspects of the play, adding a layer of tension and anticipation. Her portrayal effectively tied together different family dynamics. While her role didn’t include as many comedic moments, she made the most of them when they arose, leaving a strong impression as one of the play’s anchoring characters. 

Making his Jurkowitz Theater debut, Tyler Gilbert embodied the starry-eyed Rodya. His most powerful moment arrived near the end, all alone in the spotlight, consumed by his humanness. It was a raw and compelling performance, highlighting Gilbert’s ability to convey deep emotion. This grounded presence was great to watch, and I’m sure he would do well in future dramatic roles.

Among the ensemble, Matthew Tavianini seamlessly juggled multiple roles, including the crowd-favorite Mama and Papa. His comedic delivery felt effortless, earning consistent laughter with well-timed lines and energetic movement across the stage. Watching him switch between characters so fluidly made him a valuable comedic asset to the ensemble.

Meanwhile, Rachel Jordan Brown, as Sonya, grounded the production in the emotional reality of “Crime and Punishment’s” original novel. Whether navigating awkward romance or convincing someone of an emotionally charged confession, she exhibited a strong range that complemented the production’s balance between humor and drama.

With City College’s Activity Pass, students can see two theater performances for free with their student ID, unless they opt out. So if you’re looking for an engaging, well-acted performance, check it out. “Crime and Punishment, A Comedy” runs April 18 to May 3.

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