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| Imagining Shadows
Reviewed by David A. Rosenberg
at the Ohio Theater
66 Wooster
St.
($12)
(212) 620-0113
Evenings: Wed-Sun
8:00pm
Closes: March 11.
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| Somewhere inside
“Imagining Shadows” is an idea waiting to take flight. Yet, as it
stands, the New Georges production is a trying work that spins its
wheels.
Told from the viewpoint of a bright, sensitive
nine-year-old girl named Biloxi, Juliann France’s drama is set on a
farm near Memphis, Tenn. The sparking event is the death of Biloxi’s
beloved, wise, American Indian grandmother. Others affected by the
loss are the gradmother’s husband, who quickly marries an obnoxious
southerner; her daughter, mother of Biloxi and sister Carolina; and
her son, the retarded, sweet-natured Skip, who’s eventually shoved
into a mental hospital.
Switching back and forth in time, the
play is part realistic, part surrealistic. Maw, whom everyone misses
like mad, reappears every once in a while to issue homilies and
share reminiscences. Though much of the evening lacks tension, a
confrontation between Skip and Bilxoi is infused with wary
tenderness and the young girl’s speech about how white powder cannot
kill the hidden Indian part of Maw is movingly alive. But points are
made and remade in an evening that keeps lurching one step forward
and two back.
Jessica Bauman’s direction has its moments,
but, like the play, lacks drive. The acting, especially by the two
girls--Alexandra Tatarsky as Biloxi and Lisa Anne Apatini as
Carolina--is naturalistic and believable. Marilyn Alex, Ron
Crawford, Gerrianne Raphael, and Garland Hunter make quick sketches
of their characters. Lyle Kula has a small role as a preacher. As
Skip, Frank Deal eerily stomps about, says next to nothing, and
looks both confused and dangerous. It’s a provocative portrayal, the
kind of character that gets away from an unfocused
author.
Rachel Nemec’s sets, Robert Williams’ lights,
Christianne Myers’ costumes, and Stefan Jacobs’ sound design make
effective use of the awkward Ohio Theater space. |
