|
W:t
by Margaret Edson
Reviewed by Al Bresloff
Date reviewed: June 5, 2008
"How are you today"? This is a question that can lead to long and tedious answers from those we ask. Often, the answer is far from what we had hopes for. While we were seeking a "great, how are you?", we often hear the real problems the asked party is experiencing. In the case of this new production at The Gift Theatre " W;T", Margaret Edson's Pulitzer Prize winning play, it is that our heroine, has cancer. Vivian Bearing, PhD, has cancer and having no family agrees to take on a new chemo treatment which could lead to saving many lives ( of which hers is of the greatest import at the present). Vivian ( a sterling performance by Alexandra main, who is the primary focus of the story and who won my hear over as she unfolded her history since the discovery of Cancer), greets us with some explanation about this question and more, clad in a hospital gown and walking along the stage with an IV on a wheel rack alongside her. She wears a baseball cap to cover the fact that she has lost her hair ( of course from the treatment) and now takes us through the events from that fate full day when she was told by Dr. Kelekian ( Chuck Spencer, who also does a turn as Vivian's father in one of the scenes from her past) that this treatment might be her only way of extending her life expectancy. Dr. Posner ( Kenny Mihlfried in a very matter-of-fact portrayal of a doc who only cares about the possibility of getting written up at the start) who was a student of the Doc's in his undergraduate days, convinces her that although she may feel pain, this is her salvation and that of mankind.
 |
Most of us, have family or friends who have been diagnosed with some form of Cancer and we have seen different reactions from these people. Some are fighters and will take on any challenge to extend their lives so they can be a part of the events to come in their families. Others, will take the treatments prescribed but as time goes on, and pain increases, begin to lose that will to live. In this story, this brilliant professor takes us along her path- takes us back into her past ( down to her fifth year in a charming father daughter scene), her students and her own professor. Ms Main is a very strong actress and moves about the very small stage in this true "storefront theater" located at Milwaukee Ave. at Lawrence Ave. ( roughly 25 seats) John Gawlik direction makes this production move swiftly ( 91 minutes/no intermission) as the actors move from side to side as nurses, doctors and students bringing the reality of what Vivian is experiencing to us. Yes, there are some moments of laughter, but the truth is that this play deals with death and learning of how to build the strength to carry on. In this case, our professor uses her wit ( notice this is spelled correct, not like the title) to attempt to conquer death, and in this case life!
The ensemble members of this cast, Anna Carini, Patricia Donegan, Ted Jonas, Nick Mikula,Eliza Stoughton and Carolyn Kingsly Rau all add greatly to the pacing of this production, each taking on more than one role and each having the ability to develop a character quickly. These characters are important to the final outcome of the production and this all is done smoothly due to the talents of these actors. Courtney O'Neill's set design is very stark and white with three areas on the stage representing lab, hospital room, classroom, living room, library, professor's office"- all simply handled with movement of props, furniture and currents. John Horan has done some very creative work with light design and use of the lights along this narrow stage. It truly works. In fact, this is a very solid production that often goes unseen because many people want happy endings and date plays- this is one with an ending that makes one think, in fact this entire production is a "think piece" where we can think about our own lives and destinies and perhaps put ourselves in Vivian's shows ( slippers) for just 90 minutes.
Recommended
"W;T" will continue at The Gift Theater located at 4802 N. Milwaukee Avenue through July 6th with performances as follows:
Thursday-Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m.
Sundays at 2 :30 p.m.
Tickets range from $20-$25 ( this ticket price is in fact a "gift" to the theater audience) a great value in Chicago theater and can be purchased by calling 773-283-7071 or visit www.gifttheatre.org
If you attend Thursday night, a portion of the ticket price will be donated to Gilda's Club Chicago, a support system for families dealing with forms of Cancer as well as emotional counseling. check out www.gildasclubchicago.org
|
