by Neal Weaver
April 20, 2007
EM Lewis' title may be a whimsical metaphor for death, but it's not as grim as it sounds: Some of her best scenes lean toward comedy. Her play cuts back and forth among three main stories, garnished with peripherally related scenes. In the first story, a wife (Marina Mouhibian) and her two brothers-in-law (Linc Hand and Ken Arquelio) struggle to come to terms with the hideous, and to them inexplicable, suicide of her husband. The second story concerns Dan (Eric Bunton), who is dying of AIDS, and the efforts of his lover, Stephen (Jerry Pappas), to bear up as the end approaches. It's weary Dan who must try to give comfort and reassurance. The third story centers on Katie Barnes (Darcy Halsey), dying of cancer but determined to persuade her current husband, Tony (Kim Estes), who is black, and her ex-husband, Joe (Ryan Churchill), who is the father of her three daughters, to accept joint custody of the three girls, despite sharp animosity between the two men.
In a touchingly funny scene, bereaved Joe and recent widow Mary (Tammy Kaitz) strive to make a connection despite grief and differing expectations. A confrontation in the confessional between a wry, canny Catholic priest (Bill J. Stevens) and an inebriated non-Catholic (Hal Perry) also provides rich dramatic fodder. In an unrelated scene, Jake (Rich Williams) must decide whether he wants to be interred next to his deceased first wife or with his current spouse, Anne (Anita Khanzadian).
All the scenes are interesting and ably written, but constant crosscutting among competing plot lines tends to dissipate them and prevents their being fully explored or focused. Danny Parker-Lopes directs with a sure hand, and the large cast (including Addi Gaash and Dawn Merkel) does fine work, with special praise for Stevens, Churchill, Perry, Bunton, and Kaitz. David Fofi provides the excellent production design.
Presented by the SpyAnts Theatre Company at the Lillian Theatre, 1076 Lillian Way, Hollywood. Fri.-Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 7 p.m. Apr. 6-May 6. (323) 860-8786. www.thespyants.com.
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