Contemporary American life -- heaven help us -- is reflected in Keith Reddin's quirky, funny yet sad, tale of a mixed-up family. Mother Val (Niki Hersh) appears to have Alzheimer's, believing one of her daughters, the feisty Maggie (Catherine Castellanos), is dead. Val is abetted in this belief by daughter Jackie (Rachel Klyce), a religious nut who passes out Watchtower pamphlets to hostile neighbors. Maggie drinks, and after attending an AA meeting, is befriended by an all-too-friendly lesbian (Susi Damilano). Jackie's ex husband Harold (Paul D'Addario), who is trying to get custody of his and Jackie's young daughter, makes an unwelcome pass at Maggie. Some characters come out of the grave and say their piece. It's a melange of angst and yearning, with mom Val, who is smoking herself to death and who much of the time is out of it, seeming to hold things together. Not everybody's cup of tea, but fine for Reddin enthusiasts, and well done by this local San Francisco company.
Opened:
July 1999
Ended:
August 7, 1999
Country:
USA
State:
California
City:
San Francisco
Company/Producers:
Actors Theater of San Francisco
Theater Type:
Regional
Theater:
Actors Theater of San Francisco
Theater Address:
533 Sutter Street
Phone:
(415) 296-9179
Running Time:
Comedy-Drama
Director:
Finn Curtin
Review:
Cast:
Catherine Castellanos, Paul D'Addario, Susi Damilano, Niki Hersh, Rachel Klyce.
Technical:
Set: Biz Duncan; Creative Consultant: Keith Phillips; Sound: Chris Curtin; Costumes: Jeri Welch; Lighting: Brian Jones.
Critic:
Diana Barth
Date Reviewed:
July 1999
