Listen & Be Heard Weekly Archives

Michael Cristofer’s Pulitzer and Tony Award-winning drama, “The Shadow Box,” explores death and dying. It takes place on hospital cottage grounds that house terminally ill patients. Three patients are confronted with the truths, expectations, and disappointments of their lives. Their loved ones are equally affected by their terminal illnesses. The three stories, interwoven on the stage, depict the characters’ acceptance, or lack there of, of the reality of both life and death.

Joe, a middle aged man, spends time with his wife, Maggie, and their young aspiring musician son, Steve. The couple worry over financial losses, yet realize that they still have each other. One neighbor, Brian, receives care from his younger male partner, Mark. They receive an unannounced visit from Brian’s ex-wife, Beverly, a globe-trotting party girl. Beverly tells the stories behind her material conquests as she takes off her gems. Then, she acknowledges Brian as the only lover in her life to have truly cared for her. The other neighbor, Felicity, is an aging woman confined to a wheel chair. She depends on her daughter, Agnes. Agnes suffers from her mother’s favoring love for the other daughter, who apparently has been absent for a long time.

Masquers Playhouse of Point Richmond, under the direction of Phoebe Moyers, tackles this emotionally charged play. Attending opening weekend, I found myself falling in and out of interest during the performance. The production contains some very moving scenes. Yet, for the sake of its own pace, the play needs editing. Some performances are compelling, some lack direction.

The best moments are the interview scenes between each patient and the therapist. Actress Elizabeth Smith (the therapist) sits in an office chair in the aisle, by the stage. The patients, unable to see hert, talk of their frustrations and fears in front of the audience. The actors demonstrate their in-depth portrayal of their roles. Their faces reveal their character’s strengths and vulnerabilities.

Actresses Christine Macomber (Felicity) and Kristine Lowry (Agnes) are both brilliant in their delivery. Both actresses are very captivating in their scenes between the unrelenting mother and the rejected daughter. Jim Fye (Brian) carries his performances very smoothly as he shifts from being well mannered, reflective, and benevolent to explosive anger and pain. His scenes with Ben Ortega (Mark) truly honor the relationship between the two men. Ortega physically and vocally portrays the young male lover with emotional conviction.

Though, she lends some emotional weight in the second act, actress Dana Zook (Beverly) lacks clarity in the beginning. Her characterization tends to be overly stereo-typed. Dale Camden (Joe) shines his best during the therapy scenes. Elizabeth Williams’ (Maggie) delivery tends to weigh down the scenes between the husband and wife. Joshua Huston (Steve) is refreshingly jovial and sincere as Joe’s son.

The scene design amply accommodates the movement of the play. Scenic designer, John Hull, accurately depicts each character’s persona with the three different living spaces. Tammy Berlin, costume design, dresses the cast accordingly to their characters. The lighting design of Rob Bradshaw suitably highlights the story’s intensity.

If you would like to experience some wonderful acting, I would recommend the Masquer’s production of “The Shadow Box.” The play can be shortened by cutting its repetitive text. The audience can be spared the two monologues before the intermission. For its heavy topic, this 1977 drama demands much of today’s audience. However, it does bring up questions about how we appreciate life and each other.

Performances
August 24-September 29
Friday and Saturday evenings 8pm,
Sundays 2:30 matinee, Sept.9, 16, & 23
General Admission for all seats, $15
510-232-4031
www.masquers.org