Edgy, thought-provoking "The Mystery Plays" in San Marino

--- Theatre review

The Stillspeaking Theatre in San Marino – whose mission is to challenge, inspire and stimulate its audiences with edgy, thought-provoking productions - closes its premiere season with a set of oddly unsettling plays written by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa.

In Act One, entitled "The Filmmaker´s Mystery," Chad C. Wood plays Joe Manning, a movie producer with one horror flick under his belt, who is scouting locations on the East Coast for his next big chiller. Understandably, he has a ´fear of the unknown´ and of airplanes in particular. It´s the reason he travels by train.

A fellow passenger strikes up a conversation with Joe and the two discover they have a lot in common. Nathan West (played by Nicholas Birren) has a few odd quirks, but the obviously gay producer is nevertheless thrilled when the handsome stranger "hits" on him. The two plan to meet a few days later for "brunch and a movie."

But everything changes when Joe finds himself the sole survivor of a dreadful disaster. Now the only place he will meet Nathan is "where the membrane between the supernatural and natural worlds has worn thin."

Through a series of eerie and frightening encounters, Joe´s bizarre "mission" in life is made known. But why was Joe chosen, and how will it end for him?

The story leaves viewers with many disturbing questions, one of which is, can anyone – apart from Christ – truly atone for (forgive) another person´s sins?

In Act Two, entitled "Ghost Children," Abby Gilley (played by Sara Ceballos) takes an emotionally daunting journey into her past. Her brother Ben (played by Justin Dew), has been in prison for sixteen years for murdering their parents and young sister – Lizzie Borden-style.

There´s a possibility of a new trial and Abby is asked to testify. She numbly gives her statement, but she can not – will not – forgive her brother, or even consent to see him, though he begs her.

Through a series of chilling flashbacks, the audience learns the appalling circumstances that led up to the murders. Were they justified? How could they be? Who is guilty? Who is not? Who needs to forgive? And who needs to be forgiven?

Then to further consternate the audience, a lightning-fast appearance by Joe Manning from the first play, seems to influence the outcome of the second.

As with previous productions, the audience leaves the theatre subdued; a jumble of thoughts and perceptions and questions competing for their mind´s attention. And the puzzling out of the things they´ve seen and heard won´t be done quickly.

As always at the Stillspeaking Theatre, the acting is superb. Besides the main characters, several others play reoccurring roles in both Acts.

Dariean Henderson is exceptional in his role as the narrator, Mr. Mystery. His arresting manner and deep, resonate voice are perfect for the moralistic tone of his message, and his careful, distinct words seem to drip wisdom and meaning.

Versatile Petrea Burchard adeptly plays Joe´s flighty mother in Act One and the stern Assistant Federal Defender in Act Two.

Donald B. Shenk courageously directed the plays, making the visuals as impressive and important as the scripted words.

Nadia Morgan designed the imaginative set – a series of rings or discs canted steeply upstage. Crisscrossed macram้ cords form a backdrop that evokes the "thin membrane between the natural and supernatural worlds."

THE MYSTERY PLAYS runs Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm and Sundays at 3:00pm through November 23.

Admission is $20 (Half-price for groups of 10 or more)

Call (626) 292-2081 for reservations.

The Stillspeaking Theatre is located at 2560 Huntington Drive (at Del Mar) in San Marino, 91108. There is ample free parking