Silence Is Worth A Thousand Words

TRIBES @ SPEAKEASY STAGE COMPANY

From the first acerbic piece of dialogue to the final wordless moment, TRIBES is a powerful, moving piece about communication and where one wants to belong in their life.

Director M. Bevin O'Gara is hardly a stranger to contemporary plays with strong choices of words, and her staging of this family dramedy is what anchors the emotional punches.

Set in-the-round, O'Gara is both courageous and unapologetic about how she stages the superior cast. Usually in this configuration the actors are instructed to play to all sides as much as possible. Such is not the case here. The actors carry on with their daily lives as they normally would, and the in-your-face staging allows the audience in on Billy's world, who cannot hear the constant cacophony his family delivers.

As an audience member, we experience what he does--sometimes the characters face us; sometimes not. Just like in real life. We can appreciate (in a good way) his challenges when someone is not facing him and he is unable to lip-read. James Caverly plays the part perfectly. He does not want sympathy and apologizes for nothing. He wishes to be treated like everyone else--the opposite of how his family addresses him. By doing so, they make him feel more like an outsider.

TRIBES makes many bold statements along the way and does not disappoint.

Sometimes what you get is what you hear.

www.speakeasystage.com

Random Thought 79

One cannot read something
if it is not written.

Not Just Another Day by Day in the Boardroom

Godspell @ Winthrop Playmakers

The concept of placing the action in a boardroom is not only clever but the novelty never wears off, thanks to the clever direction of Thea Wigglesworth and the indefatigably talented cast.

The energetic Jason Hair-Wynn is hired to inspire and his effervescence permeates for both cast and audience. It is clear from the onset how relevant the book and score still are and that we all need a jolt of hope in these tempestuous times. The parables as told in the work place achieve multiple levels of symbolism in today's corporate climate. "Turn Back Old Man" is wonderfully seductive and enjoyable while at the same time suggesting such behavior is considered inappropriate for the office. The role plays of sons competing for their father's affections parallel that of co-workers vying for their boss's approval. All of the actors have personality and their improvisations appear to be impressively created as the night goes along. It's all there - the politics, the personalities, the relationships, and the dynamics. The musical numbers are performed earnestly and with hope.

Prepare Ye for a wonderful night of theatre!

For information -- www.winthropplaymakers.com