— from Alexander Conrad —
The Tenth Annual PlayFest returns to the Grange Theater this weekend and next with seven short plays written, directed and performed by local creative talent. This year’s diverse stories will touch on a range of emotions that will make you laugh and cry in turn, with performances that will linger in your mind long after final curtain call.
What’s on offer this year?
A Most Auspicious Day, written by Kristen Wilson, directed by Tom Fiscus with mentorship from Melinda Milligan
This poignant memoir of a young child’s adoption from China to America metaphorically splits the stage in two; east and west, far-away and home. Zach Knight excels as the Chinese foster parent and delivers his Mandarin lines with the Putonghua precision of a native Beijinger. Bailey Sande delivers an emotionally wrought performance as the adopting mother in America filled with joy and tempered by the anxiety that the bureaucratic process places on this most human event. East and west are bridged together by first time actress, Ella Conrad, in her role as the narrator.
Peggy, written by James Wolf, directed by Cara Russell
In Peggy, we witness the all too common struggle of a family coming to grips with losing an elder to the slipstream of dementia. The eponymous Peggy is beautifully acted by Carla Weston as we’re invited inside of her mind. At sixty-five, the onset of dementia is advanced and moments of clarity are few. Peggy’s son and granddaughter, performed by Kevin Doyle and Hailey Klein, tied the performance together with their expressions of love challenged by the family tension brought by the disease. Love wins.
The Certified Letter, written by Kathi Ciskowski, directed by Kristen Wilson
A couple returns home to the island, a speedy trip aided by the new ferry reservations system, where they find a registered letter notice waiting. Unable to receive the actual letter until morning, a couple’s dialogue ensues about what the letter could possibly be. Taking a page from Italian opera, the letter notice becomes both the torment and delight of the couple’s hearts, aspirations, fears and secrets. The musical outro wraps the play most aptly in a moment that will make you laugh. John Cunningham and Cat Gilliam’s performance is shot through with verve in this two-actor play.
Confessions of a Toilet Paper Hoarder, written by Amy Russell, directed by Cara Russell
Toilet paper as currency is perhaps not a topic you’ll be familiar with – until you enjoy this play. Adia Dolan plays the part of a young bug-out bag carrying survivalist ‘prepper’ hoarding toilet paper for the onset of future needs. She’s visited by her grandfather, Ed Sutton, and we learn that the toilet paper hoards crowding her house will be used as trade currency in the future. There’s an inter-generational warmth to the interaction between granddaughter and grandfather in Confessions. You’ll laugh as grandfather transitions from a skeptic to a ‘hat wearing’ believer.
Storytime, written by Mary Bayley, directed by Ron Herman
A woman, acted by Rebecca Herman, reads at home alone late at night, only to be surprised by a car pulling up to her house in the woods. It’s her granddaughter and a friend, although it quickly becomes apparent that this is no ordinary visit. Empathy for the characters shifts subtly throughout this performance, where we learn that a private fantasy world of stories can be a refuge as precious as life itself. Performances by Emily Toombs and Kevin Doyle, in girlfriend/boyfriend roles adroitly present the weighty topics of escapism, mental health and substance abuse. There is a rifle that gets pointed around in Storytime, but it’s the metaphorical barrel of the gun that truly stimulates here.
The Bedroom, written by Ron Herman, directed by Andy Martin
John Cunningham, Zach Knight and Cat Gilliam return for a second performance, joined by Demi Gary in The Bedroom. A young couple has recently bought a house and they are working on their bedroom design when the young woman’s mother appears for an unannounced visit. It becomes quickly apparent that mother-in-law and son-in-law do not embrace each other. A neighbor stops by and a secret from long ago is revealed. Superb acting presents the secret as a catalyst to reconciliation and a new confidence.
Tenacity, written by Michele Griskey, directed by Gillian Smith
PlayFest’s closing act is a trip into magical realism in the spirit of Haruki Murakami. Blending the concrete, daresay mundane, world of corporate training and team building with the magical possibilities of virtual reality, Tenacity appeals to the imagination. Actors Kelly Toombs and Michele Griskey play team building participants who manage to turn the corners on their facilitator, Aaimee Johnson, despite their personal differences…or do they? A wild script, ranging from zombies to sea monsters, is zestfully performed to make Tenacity the perfect ending to Playfest 2015.
The 10th Annual Playwrights’ Festival, presented by The Actors Theater of Orcas Island, will be performed on the Grange stage for five performances. Showtimes are: Friday and Saturday, April 24-25 and Friday, Saturday and Sunday May 1-3.
Tickets are $10, and all performances begin at 7:30 p.m., with doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the door, at Darvill’s Bookstore, or online.
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This is what I love about the Actors Theatre: Even a bad actor like me, can be on stage! In that this is my last performance here on Orcas, I’d like to thank the writers and directors for allowing me to partake in this adventure. Thank you especially to Emily Toombs and Kevin Doyle for making up for where I obviously lack. Thank you to Mr. Conrad the critic for your stellar review of all the other plays and cast members. I hope evryone comes to our 10th annual Playfest.
Thank you so much for the good review, Alex. Last night’s opening performance and audience was more than I could have asked for. I’m proud of this show and everyone who has helped bring it to fruition. Four more performances to go!
Thanks, Alexander Conrad, for this great write-up of what was truly a top notch PlayFest. I was especially touched by the beautiful performance of my own play, Storytime. Rebecca Herman as the ex-hippy recluse trying to protect her grand daughter was so touching. Kevin Doyle and Emily Toombs captured the vulnerabilities of their back and forth power play. Director Ron Herman really brought this script to life. We are so lucky to have so much talent on Orcas. Thanks Cara Russell, Doug Bechtel, Michele Griskey and everyone at the Actors Theater of Orcas Island who made this happen.