In a whitewashed, brick-walled cell, the Old Man awaits execution for murder. He spent his life pursuing Carl, a cousin. Carl descended from a man who poisoned a mule owned and relied on for a living by the Old Man’s family.
A young woman comes to interview the Old Man. Between his talking to her and us, we learn he came from a “village full of cooking odors.” Through Michael Edwards’ tears (and one of various projected atmospheric pictures off to the stage’s side), the Old Man lets us “see” the boat where the killer was caught trying to escape. For centuries, hunters from the families involved sought and killed and were sought and killed. The Old Man, who became a wonderful cook, poisoned the potatoes of an extravagant meal he prepared for Carl.
In a series of visits the Interviewer both draws out The Old Man’s motives and methods and tries to comfort him with things like clean bedding and homemade cookies. The Old Man, we know, has not been able to sleep. Is that because he mistook a stranger for Carl? We understand how the Old Man and Interviewer can meet on common ground symbolically and also literally as this beautifully written, acted and directed drama plays out. A red-flag ending is as poetic as realistically apt.
American Stage has done justice (and that’s a meaningful word in this context) to a drama that’s so true to Sam Shepard’s inimitable style. And Joseph Chaikin would surely be happy with Todd Olson’s staging, faithful in every artistic and technical detail to the original collaboration.<
Previews:
March 20, 2013
Ended:
April 21, 2013
Country:
USA
State:
Florida
City:
St. Petersburg
Company/Producers:
American Stage Theater Co.
Theater Type:
Regional
Theater:
Raymond James Theater
Theater Address:
163 3rd Street
Phone:
727-823-PLAY
Website:
americanstage.org
Running Time:
90 min
Genre:
Drama
Director:
Todd Olson
Review:
Cast:
Michael Edwards (Old Man), Amanda Collins (Interviewer)
Technical:
Set: Greg Bierce; Costumes: Saidah Ben Judah; Lighting: Ian Mills; Video: Karla Hartley; Props: Jerid Fox; Production Stage Mgr: Stephen M. Ray, Jr.
Critic:
Marie J. Kilker
Date Reviewed:
April 2013
