"Brilliant Traces" a passionate performance

A review by Lin McNulty

To say this play has traces of brilliance is not only redundant, but also the epitome of understatement.

What I saw on opening night is a cosmic convergence of quirky characters, masterful Orcas actors, and a stunning set. The script is written to tug at heartstrings; the dazzling acting of Melinda Milligan and Norm Stamper completes the job by practically pulling the heart completely out.

But let’s begin with the stage itself. Bill Westlake built a cabin—a livable, remote Alaskan cabin—on a stage that shouldn’t be big enough. But Bill did it. And it’s clever, it’s gorgeous, and fully functional. I could live there.

The audience is perfectly poised in a corner as Rosannah, played by Milligan, enters this remote Alaskan cabin, in the middle of a white-out, in a soiled wedding gown. Now that’s something you don’t see every day. And it certainly is something that cabin-owner Henry Harry, played by Stamper, does not expect to see—ever. As you might imagine, there is a lot of explaining and sorting out to do.

Their stories unfold in luminous (I’m trying not to use “brilliant” again), poignant moments as each realizes that reality is not necessarily what they have each been telling themselves.

Director Doug Bechtel first read “Brilliant Traces” some eight years ago. Six years ago, he passed it on to Milligan to read. In March of this year, Milligan and Stamper did a reading of the play for Bechtel and they agreed to work on it, with no expectation of performance. It wasn’t until June that they decided to mount the play at the Grange. More than 150 hours of rehearsals gave rise to this highly-polished performance.

Stamper and Milligan set the Grange ablaze and offer the audience the performance of a lifetime. Their interaction is completely natural and believable. There are talented Hollywood actors who never get the opportunity for this kind of role. This is among the best performances I have ever seen in 18 years on Orcas Island.

“Brilliant Traces” continues at the Grange on Saturday, Sept. 5, as well as next weekend on Friday Sept. 11, Saturday Sept. 12, and Sunday Sept. 13, at 7:30 pm. Tickets are available in advance from Darvills Bookstore or at the door for $10.