Through Sun 2/7
Clague Playhouse is truly a theatrical jewel in this city. If you look at the roster of the “professionals” that have acted, directed or provided top flight technical artistry there, it reads like a Broadway cavalcade of stars. Because you see, it doesn’t matter what building you are in, or what your theater is called or labeled such as community theater or professional, it is what you CREATE. Clague Playhouse is currently housing a production that I consider stunning and enriched with tremendous performances.
Directed by Anne McEvoy. That alone should create an interest in any piece that has that declaration on the playbill. A seasoned professional, McEvoy has cast this show beautifully, and guided the cast through a fascinating journey of truth, stability and truth.
The soaring damaged light of this production is the incredibly focused and nuanced performance of Rachel Lee Kolis, as Catherine. With every moment of her body, her breath, her eyes and her physicality, Kolis takes you with her as she navigates an emotionally complex course of defining moments. Complete confidence with the material and a complete understanding of the arc of her character, Kolis connects with the audience with a beautiful complexity. There are moments in the play when you think you believe her, you want to believe her, and don’t believe her. What a fascinating dilemma. What a fabulous performance.
Robert Hawkes, as Robert, proves once again that his body of work is one of the finest in Cleveland, and well beyond. Portraying a human battling brilliance and sanity with heartrending consequences, is presented with deft acting choices that provide an anchor to this play. You care deeply for this man. That happens because the performance is immersed in truth, and aided by an acute sense of awareness. Hawkes is terrific.
What seems at first to be a smitten nerdish geek, Nicholas Chokan as Hal, destroys any argument for being one dimensional. With a pleasant personality and looks, Chokan slowly unravels his characters levels like a blooming onion at Outback. Each layer revealing another texture to identify and associate with. His presence and acting chops add much to the complicated path of identifying truth within others and ourselves. Fine fine work.
Renee Schilling, as Claire, easily holds her own against the sea of tortured souls. Her strength of piercing through the mire of agendas and cracking personalities is delivered with outstanding resolve. Solid work of providing another voice to the argument and a sense of reality that many are not ready for. Great stuff.
The production team is up to its usual gold medal standard. That standard is provided by the incredible set design by Ron Newell, the nuanced lighting design of Jeff Lockshine, the rich sound design of Bryan Ritchey, the well called show by stage manager Richie Lynch, and the brilliant costuming of Jenniver Sparano.
Bravo Clague Playhouse, for knocking it out of the park again. There is one more weekend of this show. I strongly encourage you to head out and watch some damn fine acting.
Showtimes are 8pm Friday and Saturday and 2pm Sunday. Tickets are $10-$16. Call 440-331-0403 or go to clagueplayhouse.org/
[Written by Kevin Kelly]