Through Sun 11/10
“Is it now? I thought I had more time.”
These first words in the play Wakey, Wakey, are spoken by Guy, a man who knows that he is about to die.
Much like the epic Waiting for Godot, Will Eno’s emotionally moving script questions why we exist, probes into why we are here, and the possible journeys that are taken to eventually get to the end.
As a long-time end-of-life volunteer counselor for the Hospice of the Western Reserve, I have observed, shared, experienced and grieved the end of many patient’s lives. Those last couple of hours or days take the form of sitting quietly and sharing their space at home, in a nursing facility or at the hospice, or actively communicating with the patient and sometimes the family. At times I administered Reiki, guided imagery or played music to help the exit journey. At other times I held a hand of the person or that of a family member. Each case was a life-changing experience.
That experience can be felt, observed, and participated in, by spending a little over an hour at Dobama for their present production of Wakey, Wakey.
We observe, in silence, low-level conversations, and yes, even laughter, as Guy, in a wheelchair, recounts his life, with the aid of file-card notes and projected pictures.
His hospice worker ministers to his needs, sweeps the air of psychological impurities (though as administered, it looks like a dynamic voodoo ritual rather than a slow aesthetic cleansing which is part of the Reiki ritual), volunteers support, and check to assure that Guy has left his earthly home.
Director Christopher Mirto guides us wisely through the experience, nicely pacing the action and helping the actors texture their roles.
Jason Martin, as Guy, inhabits the role as if he is a master at end-of-life experience. His is a meaningful, carefully crafted portrayal, which allows us to feel both identification and empathy.
Katrice Headd has the difficult role of being present as Lisa, but not becoming so attached to her patient that his demise devastates her. She carries it off with gentleness and maturity, the signs of a well-trained hospice caretaker.
Many contemporary plays incorporate electronic graphics into their productions. Often, they simply take the place of scenery or are used to create illusions. In Wakey, Wakey, the well-conceived visuals by T. Paul Lowry are a necessity for gaining a full picture of Guy’s travel through life.
Also impressive are the sound (Derek Graham) and lighting (Marcus Dana) that complement the staging.
Capsule judgment: Will Eno’s Wakey, Wakey is a heartfelt look at the end of life which invites the audience to be psychologically present while the emotional tale masterfully plays itself out. Justifiably, there is no curtain call. Who applauds a eulogy?
Wakey, Wakey runs through Sun 11/10. Call 216-932-3396 or dobama.org for tickets.
[Written by Roy Berko, member: Cleveland Critics Circle, American Theatre Critics Association, International Association of Theatre Critics]
Cleveland Heights, OH 44118