“The Velocity of Autumn” play review

||| FROM KATHI CISKOWSKI |||

I wish everyone could see this play!

The Actors Theater of Orcas Island has once again presented a thought provoking, pertinent drama at their home at the Orcas Island Grange.

“The Velocity of Autumn”, by Eric Coble, touches so many emotions and covers so much inner territory that all the people who attend should bring someone with them so they can discuss it on the ride home… as suggested in the program.

There is an old saying that “getting old isn’t for sissies” and this play explores this concept from different perspectives. The set, created by Director Robert Hall, is unique and works very well, almost as another character in the story. Alexandra, an 80-year-old woman living alone and experiencing various difficulties, has her family panicked since she is threatening to blow up her apartment rather than move into a nursing home as two of her children are proposing. The third child, Chris, who is now middle-aged, has been estranged from the family for years, but at the request of his siblings comes to see if he can convince his mother to move safely.

Both Melinda Milligan (Alexandra) and R. Travis King (who plays her son Chris) are outstanding in their roles. They move from one emotion to the next seamlessly while they work through the traumas of aging, separation, nostalgia, trust, and comradery.

lexandra is eldest but they are both dealing with life challenges as they move forward. In the midst of the challenges there are moments of humor, sometimes acerbic, sometimes sweet. Opening night brought a standing ovation to these two actors who skillfully engaged the audience for 90 minutes in this Pulitzer Prize nominated drama.

Many of us have either helped an aging parent or are becoming (or have become) an aging parent. I could hear the audience quietly respond when a relatable situation that they had experienced in their life arose in the play.

“The Velocity of Autumn” runs Oct. 25, 26, 27 and Nov. 1, 2, 3. Performances are at the Orcas Grange and begin at 7:30pm. There are two performances on Sunday, Oct. 27, with a matinee at 1 pm for those who don’t like to drive at night. Tickets are available at Darvill’s Bookstore, on Brown Paper Tickets, and at the door.