‘Casanova’s’ Chronicle of Seduction Strips Away Romanticism

Giacomo Girolamo Casanova’s 12-volume posthumous memoirs immortalized this 18th century Venetian as a lover who was promiscuous and unscrupulous. Constance Congdon’s retelling of his life in “Casanova,” at the Open Fist Theatre, follows this legendary seducer, now an elderly man (Patrick Tuttle), as he journeys back to Paris. He’s haunted by the ghost of one of his discarded mistresses, Therese (Alisa Wilson), and the specter of his youthful, more sensitive self (Philip White).

Congdon strips away romantic notions to show the emotional toll of Casanova’s actions in this lushly realized but very adult production.

Toward the end of his life, the real Casanova didn’t return to Paris, scene of his glory days. He died in Bohemia while serving as a count’s librarian.

Congdon has constructed a hallucinatory dream of an old man seeing his life pass before him, momentarily waking into the present world of pain that may be part fantasy as well.

The young Casanova deserts his first loves, the supposed castrato Bellino (Amy Edlin) and later, the convent-confined Catarina (Ranjani Brow). Brow and Edlin reappear as other conquests, setting up a psychological pattern that takes on pedophile overtones as Casanova ages.

Director Martha Demson deftly brings out the humor and the folly of a diverse set of colorful characters, including the transvestite Chevalier d’Eon (Adrian Sparks) who comforts Casanova’s needy daughter (Pamela Heffler).

With flitting references to Rousseau’s private life, Congdon questions the very foundations of the Age of Enlightenment. This production provocatively deconstructs a myth while restructuring a historical view of sexual politics.

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* “Casanova,” Open Fist Theatre, 1625 N. La Brea Ave., Hollywood. Fridays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 7 p.m. Ends June 23. $15. Sundays, pay what you can. (323) 882-6912. Running time: 3 hours.