Life On the Edge
This dark comedy is written by Melissa Ross and directed by
Devon Lyon. It is playing at the
Triangle space, 1785 NE Sandy Blvd., through April 28th. For more information, go to https://ofgoodstockpdx.bpt.me
Eleanor’s line from “The Lion In Winter” seems appropriate
to describe this play, when she’s talking about her clan, “well, what family
doesn’t have its ups and downs.” True
enough for all families and this one seems to be laced with love, humor and a
dose of spite. It reminds me a lot of a
play I directed some years ago, “Crimes of the Heart,” where you wanted to give
them a good spanking sometimes but couldn’t help but love them.
This family consists of Jess (Morgan Cox), the practical one
and is the inheritor of their Cape Cod, family home, who has just gone through
a serious operation. Her husband of some
years is Fred (Andy Sims), the ever-loving and ever-patient mate, a food
critic. They are to be joined soon by
her sister, Amy (Kailey Rhodes), not the sharpest knife in the drawer, who is
about to get married to her boyfriend, Josh (John Zoller), who seems more than
a little nervous about this union. Celia
(Jamie Langton), is a bit of a tippler, who goes through men like water, will
be arriving with her newest conquest, Hunter (Austin Hillebrecht), a down-home
boy and a bit of a drifter.
There is another family member who hovers, unseen, over
them, the specter of their Lear-like father, who was a famous writer, ruled his
family with an iron fist and plowed through women like it was a sport. During the course of the play secrets will be
revealed, old wounds opened up, tears of regret and of joy shed, and new paths
forged for a deeper understanding of friendship and love. Family is never easy but having none is
perhaps harder. My favorite scene was
the infamous F-bomb encounter with the girls—priceless and delivered perfectly
by pros.
Really can’t tell you more without giving away discoveries
an audience should make. But, trust me
on this, the Author certainly knows Family Gatherings, so you just might catch
yourself identifying with parts of it and them.
And Lyon is an actor’s director, pacing the show at a break-neck speed
at times with over-lapping dialogue, then lets a lull settle in for quieter
moments. And what a cast he has delivered
to us! They are priceless, especially
the ladies, and so convincing I thought I was intruding at times on a real
family’s outing.
The fellows are also good in their roles, letting us in on
those man-cave mentalities of guys when they are bonding. But it’s really the ladies, show, folks, and
they are outstanding! Jess is the obvious
choice for the “head” of the family but “uneasy lies the crown” on her
head. Cox plays the role like a coil
wound up tight waiting to burst at any time.
Rhodes is a marvel as the sister not to be underestimated, because just
as soon as you think she’s easy to read, she lashes out in another direction
altogether. And Langton is super as the
sister who laughs and loves too easily on the outside but is a deeply unhappy
person within. All three first-rate!
I highly recommend this show as it’s not to be missed. If you do choose to see it, please tell them
Dennis sent you.
No comments:
Post a Comment