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When She Was God
By Tony Dallas
Directed by Frank Merle
Produced by Keyhole Theatre Company
1500 N. Bell
Chicago, IL
Call 773-805-5055, tickets $20
Fridays & Saturdays at 8 PM
Sundays at 7 PM
Running time is 2 hours with intermission
Through October 15, 2006
Electrifying psychological drama awaits at Keyhole Theatre
Keyhole Theatre Company’s best work to date is the riveting psychological drama When She Was God by Tony Dallas. It is a complex mystery/drama similar in ways to Equus. Filled with rich ancient Greek mythology symbols and past horrors, When She Was God is part mystery, part character sketch in an engrossing examination of the sources of the present pain the two principal women suffer. Feminine intuition, the acceptance of female painters and the deification of women as “goddess icons” are subjects covered in this intelligently written play.
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When she Was God involves two strong woman—Judith (Julie Mitre), recently appointed the first female head of a psychiatric hospital, the other—Magda (Kelly Holden), a charismatic and suicidal artist recently committed to Judith’s care. Magda acts out her rage by resisting Judith’s help until eventually Judith’s sincerity fosters a bond between the two as each realizes that intuitively they both share deep seated pain from their past lives. Both sense they can help each other.
Director Frank Merle cleverly establishes the rear center stage as a platform for the ensemble to act out both Magda’s and Judith’s dreams, visions and memories of past traumas. Masks and smart lighting enhance these telling dream sequences. Robin Trevino offered fine supporting work as Judith’s colleague.
We are drawn into the story as we quickly care about Judith’s honest, humble vulnerability and Magda’s electric charm, charisma that hides her rage. Julie Mitre plays Judith with a controlled honesty and sincere empathy while Kelly Holden depicts Magda as a dynamic powder keg waiting to explode. The two form a believable connection as they navigate through their past lives in search of the healing power of truth. Their trust is developed through mutual need and Judith’s tenacity. Both take risks as the line is blurred in the doctor-patient relationship. The underlying theme of feminine bonding and the role of woman both modern society and ancient times is given a new twist. The dream sequences unfold the drama deftly as these vivid and well-played scenes add to the tension of the work.
Rich in ancient mythological references, the play touches on the image and role of getting in touch with one’s feminine self. This is an intoxicatingly strong work that will have you on the edge of your seats to see what happens next. It will shock you. Holden and Mitre are terrific here. This is a worthy Midwest Premiere.
Highly Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: September 16, 2006
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