Diversionary Theater's West-Coast premiere of Rebecca Basham's Lot's Daughters is a dramatic, dynamic success. This multi-award winning play is set in the Eastern Kentucky hill country during fall and winter 1944. Appalachia is one of the subcultures in the United States that has seen little change. Its isolation was a result of, at least in the war years, a lack of electricity and roads. Basham's world has the stereotypes we've come to expect: the bible-thumping preacher and his pious wife, the widower, the young daughters, and a brother going off to war. And there are loves, both acceptable and contemptible.
There is, also, an underbelly of misunderstanding, of unimaginable sin, degradation, and ignorance brought upon by an inbred, isolated society. The playwright displays the subcultures within the community, even to the strictness of the caste system. The lesbian relationship between Gertie and Susannah offers some beautiful moments as well as moments of anguish. Other themes are merely spoken of: sexual relations between father and daughter, minister and "sinner," wife and stepson. It's a constant battle between good and evil.
Director Rosina Reynolds has cast well. Her leads, Kate Reynolds (Rosina's daughter) as Gertie Cobb and Shannon Diana as Susannah Hicks, are excellent. At two and half hours playing time, playwright Basham simply gives characters too many words and, possibly, too many sub-plots. The burden is often carried by actress Reynolds. Her excessively long speeches setting up the play feel rushed. Later she became a strong and convincing Gertie, torn between upbringing, preaching and her love for Susannah. The latter's transition from a filthy, smelly, fearful lowest class girl to a loving, tender woman proves a joyful experience. Where Reynolds' role requires extreme subtlety of emotions, for the most part, Diana's Susannah emotes with passion.
Joe Powers and DeAnna Driscoll, as Brother and Sister Rankin, are both powerful in roles actors would kill for. Driscoll absolutely commands the stage. Scott Coker, playing Waincey, Gertie's brother, makes a poignant transition from country bumpkin to a much wiser war survivor. Danny Pope's Harlan Hicks, Susannah's father, is meant to be hated and succeeds. Karla Kash, as Gayla Faye, and Jeremy Shepard, as Junior Dobbs, are a convincing couple in one of the sub-plots.
Scenic designer David Weiner's environment works well as many different, varied locations, with the corrugated metal wall a nice touch. Shaoann Yo's area lighting dramatically defines the playing areas. Liam Mathew O'Brien's costumes excellently fit both the period and the economics of the region. The mood is set, and often enhanced, by the excellent work of sound designers Rosina Reynolds and Michael Shapiro.
Lot's Daughters is highly recommended. The passions are high, the clashes are many, and the look into this society is an experience you don't want to miss.
