Three hours, three plays and three playwrights. Last night, the Eleanor Frost Play Festival premiered three student-written plays: "A Portrait" by Nicole Savickas '00, "Moonset" by Jo Weingarten '98 and "Mabel, Edna and the Tiresome Mr. Smith" by Kristina Hagstrom '98.
Last night's festival had its ups and downs, but overall, it was a success.
The most audience-pleasing play of the bunch was "Mabel, Edna," despite its complete divergence from the tone of the other two plays. The play is an absurd take on two women who act like girls, and five men, all of whom are named Joe Smith. This is not your average student production. The entire play is a huge exaggeration, made apparent by the brilliantly colored set, insane dialogue, extreme emotions and unique costumes. Kudos go to set designer Lauren Breindel '99 who thought up the bright blue swing, fire truck red door and blinding vacuum cleaner.
Hannah Hay Kenah '01 does a faultless job of spinning her Edna character in the perfect direction. Hagstrom's comedic script calls for someone "energetic and moody, childish both in appearance and behavior," and Kenah brings this to a level that Hagstrom probably could only have imagined. She generates most of the laughter and emotion in the production and does so with a unique flair. Just her strange typing procedure creates guffaws.
Sophomore Leslie Plaisted's Mabel is just as good. Mabel, a more subdued version of Edna, has the audience gasping for breath during her rendition of the play's reiterating theme song, "Red and Yellow." Her constant knitting of a Technicolor scarf and weird glasses give her a personality all her own.
As if these two did not provide enough energy, Jeff Wadlow '98 plays a larger-than-life vacuum cleaner salesman with such gusto that his energy causes him to pass out on stage. To add to the confusion, Chad Goodridge '01 plays a narcoleptic man looking for his father, Ben Oren '00 plays a senile man looking for his son (but not the aforementioned), Sasho Emlen '00 plays a priest and Brent Knopf '00 plays an omniscient piano player. Oh, and do not forget the interesting rendition of Little Red Riding Hood in which Ms. Hood wields a semi-automatic.
What makes "Mabel, Edna" so good is not just its laughs. It also explores unexpected themes that may hit viewers only after leaving the theater. The world of the fairy tale looms over the entire production, and Kenah's interpretation of this idea gives viewers the sense that something is not quite right in her world. The production's child-in-a-woman's-body concept also brings some meaning to an otherwise absurd piece.
The first play of the night, "A Portrait," is much more realistic than "Mabel, Edna," and covers relationship themes in an entirely different way. In the play, three couples look at art in a museum and discuss the paintings' meanings in various ways. Each painting seems to mean something special for each couple.
In the first couple, Dara Liotta '00 plays Kate in a delightfully annoying fashion that suits her character. The second couple, played by drama-stud Kyle Ancowitz '98 and Candice Adams '01, is convincing, and their chemistry is obvious even with their short stage time. Ancowitz's experience shows through, just as it did in this year's "Millennium Class."
Candice Adams '01 plays a museum guard who takes her job much too seriously. Adams is great comic relief for the production and helps the audience laugh after some heavy material.
Also of note is freshman Ryan Kelly's rendition of John, a seemingly insensitive guy who has more substance than is reflected at first glance. Although he is a bit too jumpy at first, his monologue shows some definite potential.
The middle production, "Moonset," did not work last night as well as it could have. Weingarten's script has some powerful and obviously personal material, but the production did not manage to effectively convey her ideas. Certainly, there are some wonderful images in the play, including the moonset, but the slow pace drowned out some of the play's good points.
The play depicts the story of Nomi, a rebellious teenager whose father leaves the family for months at a time. After she is raped, the family becomes more dysfunctional and she is forced to leave home.
Hilary Prentice '01 does a fine job as Nomi. Her character is easy to identify with, and students will certainly judge her as authentic. Sophomore Tim Holm's Ariel is quirky at times but has a chemistry with Prentice. Emily Hay '98 plays a convincing mother, and Brett Perala '00 does what he can with his small stage-time.
If only for "Mabel, Edna," the Frost Festival is worth attending, and definitely, "A Portrait" and "Moonset" hit themes that may satisfy some audience members. The Eleanor Frost Playwriting Festival will be in Bentley Theater on Friday and Saturday night at 8 p.m.
