Sunday, March 23, 2008
A+E, Theater, Reviews
Some kind of ‘Wonderful’
Strong performance highlight of accessible one-woman play
CREDIT: Chris Ozment
Vicki Ellis Gray
“WHEN SOMETHING WONDERFUL ENDS”
Actor’s Express
$16-$27
404-607-7469
www.actors-express.com
Through April 12
By Bert Osborne
Vicki Ellis Gray delivers a simply bravura performance—with the operative word being simply—in Actor’s Express’ “When Something Wonderful Ends,” a thoughtful and heartfelt one-woman play by Sherry Kramer that firmly dispels the notion that such showcases must always revolve around famous or flamboyant personalities (say, Emily Dickinson or Ann Landers, to cite two most recent examples). Despite a local theater career that started as an Alliance acting intern some 20 years ago, with time off to have and raise three children, Gray is an actress previously unknown to me, except for a negligible supporting role earlier this season in the dreadful mob comedy “Comparing Books.” Under these circumstances, it might be more appropriate to praise her work here as a case of something wonderful beginning.
No less captivating a tale for being told by an ordinary person, Kramer’s autobiographical piece opens innocuously enough with tidbits about her girlhood fixation on Barbie dolls (and the Beatles) back in the ’60s. Later, much of the discussion turns to her relationship with her recently deceased mother, which in and of itself isn’t especially unique or groundbreaking—but the ultimate power of the writing and the acting is how the mother becomes such an identifiable character in the story, even though she never appears onstage. It’s difficult to imagine anyone who has ever loved their mother not being profoundly moved by the parent/child dynamic as Kramer and Gray portray it. (I seem to remember the theater had originally planned to produce the show closer to Mother’s Day, which would’ve made perfect sense.)
More amazingly still is how effortlessly and effectively Kramer places her conversation into a “vast historical context,” encompassing her own religious upbringing and personal political views, in addition to larger global concerns about energy conservation, the environment and the state of Middle Eastern affairs over the last 60-plus years. At times, the play recalls the Express’ “Thom Pain,” the one-man show Chris Kayser performed a couple of seasons ago—albeit more intimate and confessional in tone, and not so much an intentionally quirky and incoherent lecture.
Adroitly staged by artistic director Freddie Ashley (it’s arguably his strongest work to date), “When Something Wonderful Ends” is a play about issues without being an “issues” play. One drawback to recent dramas like “Blue Door,” “Octopus” or “Hard Love” is that, unless you're black, gay or Jewish, respectively, they don’t necessarily strike you as pertinently as they could. The most miraculous achievement here is that you don’t need to be a woman who grew up playing with Barbies to relate. SP
DULY NOTED:
In another one-woman show, Theatre in the Square’s “The Belle of Amherst” (directed by August Staub), Holly Stevenson paints a warm if fuzzy portrait of the poet Emily Dickinson. Dishing out personal details like cake recipes between liberal doses of poetry—even mixing with the audience on occasion—she’s highly hospitable. But that barely begins to address how Dickinson actually lived most of her life as a spinster and recluse. Although she talks about the “ecstasy of living” in words that resonate with a timeless beauty, much of the irony is lost. The director’s willy-nilly use of obtrusive mood music doesn’t help. Through April 20 770-422-8369. www.theatreinthesquare.com.
The one woman around whom Red Clay Theatre’s “Runaway Bride” swirls is never mentioned by name and is nowhere to be seen in this homegrown original comedy (written by Beverly Cantwell and Deborah Childs, who also directs). Set locally and based on the national media frenzy surrounding the 2005 disappearance of cold-footed Duluth bride-to-be Jennifer Wilbanks, it’s an OK idea that isn’t very well executed. There’s a suitable circus atmosphere to the show, but the paltry production values and mediocre performances detract. A few musical numbers (“Chapel of Love,” “Rainy Night in Georgia”) add little. Through April 20. 770-622-1777. www.redclaytheatrearts.com.