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| Scott Anthony, Douglas Scott Sorensen, Alexandra Sweatt & Becca Willenbrink in The Stranger and Ludlow Quinn. Photo – Theatre [502]. |
The Stranger and Ludlow
Quinn, Chapter Five: All Soul’s Day
Written by Diana Grisanti and
Steve Moulds
Directed by Amy Attaway
Review by Keith Waits
Entire contents copyright 2013
by Keith Waits. All rights reserved.
Did the book explode? Is Murray dead? How much of it is
all a dream? In chapter five of The
Stranger and Ludlow Quinn, the story takes important steps into deeper
waters narratively and emotionally. As earlier chapters relied on ingenuity and
sharp wit to engage the audience, the middle entries are pulling us in to a
more tangible relationship with the action, most particularly by focusing on
Bonnie Burke and developing her character with meaning.
At the same time, the mystery deepens, as the exact
events that occur in the aftermath of Bonnie’s visit to Murray’s Magic Shop are
left unclear, communicated as they are here, in and out of the hazy fog of
dreams. The surreal tone is new but potently portrayed and takes us inside
Bonnie’s state of mind, confirming beyond a doubt that this is, more than
anything else, her story.
So this chapter belongs to Becca Willenbrink, who has
faithfully occupied Bonnie as a fairly passive onlooker but now is given the
opportunity to explore the character more fully. Her sensitive performance is
one payoff for the patient dedication to a play that is just now approaching
the midway point. Not that forbearance is required, but Stranger needed to move
in this direction; and that it does so now is further testament to the care
given to structure and continuity in this high-wire act. Things feel right on
schedule.
New chapters are
scheduled to arrive on First Fridays each month through April 2014, performed
at 7 p.m., 8 p.m., 9 p.m., and 10 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are
welcome.
The Stranger
and Ludlow Quinn, Chapter Five: All Soul’s Day
October 4, 2013
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