Maple & Vine
Jordan Harrison's comedy-drama becomes more interesting after the curtain falls. Dean and Ellen have built a huge, gated community, inside of which is 1955. Depressed Katha convinces her Japanese-American husband, Ryu, to give it a try. She thrives -- on the racism, claustrophobic conformity, and cigarettes smoked during 10,000 meals. The play raises provocative questions about the quality of life, then and now. But to fit his scheme, the playwright manipulates superficial characters like puppets. Cygnet Theatre's production, directed by Igor Goldin, is up to its high standards. Though some in the cast must invent motives where none exist, Jo Anne Glover does a fine turn as Katha, an icicle in the making, and Amanda Sitton excels as Ellen, the ardent "spokesman" for 1955 who would give anything to make her facade -- beaming eyes and gleaming, Ipana-brushed teeth -- the real thing.
Worth a try.
When
Ongoing until Sunday, February 16, 2014
Hours
| Sundays, 2pm & 7pm |
| Wednesdays, 7:30pm |
| Thursdays, 7:30pm |
| Fridays, 8pm |
| Saturdays, 3pm & 8pm |