Reviewer: Kristine Gotham
Venue: Bay City Players
Angus (Cameron Pichan), Abigail (Susie Craves) and Ollie (Timothy Cross), three mature adults, navigate the complex issues of life, death, love and sex in Bay City Players’ production of Morning After Grace. Angus’ wife has just died, Abigail is “celebrating” the three year anniversary of her divorce and Oliie is fighting with his partner, James, as the lives of these three people intersect on a random morning at a retirement village on Florida’s suncoast. Angus and Abigail spent the night together after meeting for the first time the previous day. Ollie is a friend of Angus’s wife, who comes over to see if Angus needs company after his wife’s passing. The three talk throughout the day about their lives and the struggles they have had, especially with their partners, their own internal identities, and how they feel deep down in those emotional areas that they don’t often talk about or explore. Angus and Ollie both have a monologue during which they have a conversation with someone that they need to talk to but have been avoiding. This talk helps them to realize that emotions are ok and being true to yourself is the best choice. Abigail observes these changes and realizes for herself that she has always been a people pleaseer but not necessarity an Abigail pleaser. In the end, each character has grown a little bit and is more comfortable in their own mind.
Pinchan, Craves and Cross play these characters with such depth and authenticity. Craves’ Abigail is both shocked at what she has done and compassionate to the plight of both Angus and Ollie. Craves presents a realistic picture of a mature woman slowly realizing that she still has life to live and love to give, and it is more than just a one night stand. Pinchan plays Angus perfectly. He comes across as a man who had a wife, lost his wife, and is learning that there was more to his wife than he knew. He shows a depth of vulnerability during his monologue that helps the audience to see him as more than a man who just had a one night stand so soon after losing his wife. Cross’ representation of Ollie brought a good balance to the cast. His calm demeanor and strength in the face of finally revealing who he is to the one whose opinion he values, brings an authenticity and heart to a character that could easily be a cliche’.
Director, Larry Jacobs, did an outstanding job with the casting and overall direction of this play. The actors interact with each other so well and the whole play is realistic and enjoyable. The lighting, set and costuming help to present a picture of modern day men and women as they interact and move through daily life and complex emotions.
If you are an adult of a certain age, read mature, you will certainly find something familiar in this story. Morning After Grace, continues on stage at Bay City Players through February 22. Call the Box Office for tickets.