By Sara Monson
Jealous: to be resentfully or painfully desirous of another''s advantages.
This definition rules the stage in the Pioneer Theatre Company?s production of ?Amadeus? at Simmons Pioneer Memorial Theatre in Salt Lake City. The play follows the life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, as told by his fierce competitor, Italian court composer Antonio Salieri.
The play opens with a lengthy monologue by Salieri, played by Greg Thornton, in which he describes making a bargain with God as a 16-year-old boy. He prays for God to make him a composer, and promises to be honest and chaste for the rest of his life.
Salieri then takes the audience back several years to the first time he encountered Mozart, played by Tim Altmeyer, in the court of Holy Roman Emperor Joseph II. After hearing a small piece that Salieri wrote to honor Mozart?s arrival, Mozart sits down at the piano and plays the entire piece back by heart. He then continues to mockingly make improvements to the song.
?Was it then so early that I began to have thoughts of murder,? Salieri said after first witnessing Mozart?s God-given talent.
The rest of the play follows the two composers as Salieri is overcome by jealousy, abandons his vow to God and determines to destroy his gifted competitor.
In order to portray Mozart?s fanatical and infantile personality, his character uses foul language and childlike behavior. Managing director Chris Lino said although the obscenities, which the Web site describes as inappropriate for children under age 10, were shocking to some viewers, it is a crucial part of depicting his disposition.
?It is important that the audience is as appalled by Mozart as Salieri is,? Lino said.
Although the musician?s personality might be accurately portrayed, some audience members were still disappointed.
?I find the language he uses takes away from his genius,? said Thayre Dennis, a frequent theatergoer from Salt Lake City, who saw the play. ?I think he could act infantile without the language.?
Other people who viewed the play said it was difficult to determine what was fictional and what was not.
?I couldn?t help but wonder how true to Mozart?s character it really was,? said Melissa Lund, a stay-at-home mother from Salt Lake City. ?He was entertaining though.?
Lino said it?s fascinating to see how different people always relate to either Salieri or Mozart. He said he?s always empathized with Salieri, but many others, including his wife, sympathize with Mozart.
The play runs through April 9, and student discounts are available.