Jon Hassler Theater, Plainview, MNauthor: Jeffrey Hatcher
director: Matt Sciple
cast: Phil Kilbourne, Lindsay Hinman
sets: Ralph Ryan
costumes: Kay M. Robinson
lights: Benjamin Hain
sound: Kathryn Horowitz
A clandestine rendezvous between an estranged husband and wife who take one last shot at rekindling the romance in their relationship while revelers welcome the New Year nearby.
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I very much enjoyed every aspect of this production. The acting was quite good, the direction simple, appropriate, and tight. Production values were good, and I watched, wondering how/when they changed the hands on the working grandfather clock so that it read the correct time as mentioned during the play (and I never could discern when it was changed!).
If I were to have any "bone to pick" with this production it would be the two times that the woman used a child's voice to quote the man's daughter from a first marriage. The voice she used was a Betty Boop voice, which, while appropriate for the era, was annoying as hell.
The audience attendance was small. I believe I was one of 30-35 in a theatre that seats maybe 200. This is sad, considering the quality of the production!
I did hear a number of the playgoers complaining about the ending of the script as we exited. Certainly it does not end on the up-beat ending that we come to expect in the last ten minutes, but I think I understand where Mr. Hatcher was coming from and why he ended it the way he did. Considering the duplicity going on throughout, it is unrealistic to believe that either one of this couple has really turned a corner and made a change.
An interesting play, very well produced. I look forward to seeing more work at the Jon Hassler Theatre!
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