Cynthia Levin/Photo
MELINDA MCCRARY AND JOICIE APPEL star in the Unicorn Theatre production of ‘Well,’ a production that explores emotional and physical wellness. The show runs through July 13 at the Unicorn Theatre, 3828 Main St., Kansas City, Mo.
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Experimental play explores relationships
By: Russ Simmons, Theater Reviewer
Memories are often hazy and indefinite. In part, this is because they are clouded by our own desires and prejudices.
Playwright and monologist Lisa Kron tackles the nebulous nature of memory in an avant-garde theatrical experiment called “Well.” The comic drama is the current offering at the Unicorn Theatre.
The work purports to speculate on the concepts of emotional and physical wellness. In reality, it concentrates on something else altogether.
Described as “a one woman show, with other actors…and her mother,” “Well” exploits the artifice of theater while exploring a number of challenging themes.
Melinda McCrary portrays Lisa Kron, taking to the stage at the top of the play to address the audience and begin a monologue. Just to her left, however, is a modest living room where an elderly woman sits in a recliner. It is Lisa’s mother, Ann, played by Joicie Appell.
It seems that Lisa has magically pulled her reluctant mom into her play and an awkward dialogue begins. Ann, a chronically ill woman who spends most of her time watching ice skating videos from her easy chair, warily accepts Lisa’s imposition and settles back to hear her daughter’s account of her youthful experiences.
Lisa initially claims that the show is not about the relationship between mother and daughter. She insists that it is a broad examination of overreaching themes dealing with wellness and integration. (She was a white girl raised in a predominately black neighborhood.)
But it soon becomes clear that those issues are secondary. The play is a self-critical look into her frustrating relationship with Ann, whom she always suspected is a hypochondriac.
As Lisa begins to re-enact moments from her youth, four other actors play out a number of peripheral characters. Dana Thompson, Rachel May Roberts, Walter Coppage and Kyle L. Mowry help fill in Lisa’s foggy memories that are often in direct conflict with Ann’s recollection of events.
Ann continually interrupts Lisa’s stories, protesting that her version is either incorrect or omits important details. Lisa again insists that the play is not about “them.” It’s an exaggerated theatrical experiment to comment on broader issues. Obviously, Lisa intimates to the audience, her mother does not understand theater.
Eventually, even the supporting actors begin to protest. They break out of character and come to Ann’s defense. Lisa seems to lose all control over the unwieldy theatrical beast she has created.
If this setup sounds wildly chaotic to you, you would be right. But that is one of Kron’s points. Memories are disordered and muddled and the best we can do is to hang on to what is truly significant.
Under the careful direction of Joseph Price, McCrary tackles this difficult role with assurance, playing a character with little self-assurance. The supporting players are also solid, especially Thompson, a Unicorn newcomer.
Appel seizes onto one of the best roles in her long and distinguished career. At one point, Lisa leaves the stage in a petulant act of frustration. Stranded in front of the crowd, Ann is forced to ad lib, and Appel shines in a riveting and illuminating monologue.
“Well” is often frustrating to watch and its overt manipulations of theatrical conventions seem pretentious at times. But in a work like this, frustration is an appropriate response.
“Well” runs through July 13 at the Unicorn Theatre, 3828 Main St., Kansas City, Mo.
For information, call (816) 531-7529.
THEATER NOTES
The Heart of America Shakespeare Festival is currently in full swing with its 19th production, “Othello.” Performances are nightly at 8 p.m. through July 6 at Southmoreland Park, 7th and Oak streets, Kansas City, Mo. More information is available at www.kcshakes.org.
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Playwright and monologist Lisa Kron tackles the nebulous nature of memory in an avant-garde theatrical experiment called “Well.” The comic drama is the current offering at the Unicorn Theatre.
The work purports to speculate on the concepts of emotional and physical wellness. In reality, it concentrates on something else altogether.
Described as “a one woman show, with other actors…and her mother,” “Well” exploits the artifice of theater while exploring a number of challenging themes.
Melinda McCrary portrays Lisa Kron, taking to the stage at the top of the play to address the audience and begin a monologue. Just to her left, however, is a modest living room where an elderly woman sits in a recliner. It is Lisa’s mother, Ann, played by Joicie Appell.
It seems that Lisa has magically pulled her reluctant mom into her play and an awkward dialogue begins. Ann, a chronically ill woman who spends most of her time watching ice skating videos from her easy chair, warily accepts Lisa’s imposition and settles back to hear her daughter’s account of her youthful experiences.
Lisa initially claims that the show is not about the relationship between mother and daughter. She insists that it is a broad examination of overreaching themes dealing with wellness and integration. (She was a white girl raised in a predominately black neighborhood.)
But it soon becomes clear that those issues are secondary. The play is a self-critical look into her frustrating relationship with Ann, whom she always suspected is a hypochondriac.
As Lisa begins to re-enact moments from her youth, four other actors play out a number of peripheral characters. Dana Thompson, Rachel May Roberts, Walter Coppage and Kyle L. Mowry help fill in Lisa’s foggy memories that are often in direct conflict with Ann’s recollection of events.
Ann continually interrupts Lisa’s stories, protesting that her version is either incorrect or omits important details. Lisa again insists that the play is not about “them.” It’s an exaggerated theatrical experiment to comment on broader issues. Obviously, Lisa intimates to the audience, her mother does not understand theater.
Eventually, even the supporting actors begin to protest. They break out of character and come to Ann’s defense. Lisa seems to lose all control over the unwieldy theatrical beast she has created.
If this setup sounds wildly chaotic to you, you would be right. But that is one of Kron’s points. Memories are disordered and muddled and the best we can do is to hang on to what is truly significant.
Under the careful direction of Joseph Price, McCrary tackles this difficult role with assurance, playing a character with little self-assurance. The supporting players are also solid, especially Thompson, a Unicorn newcomer.
Appel seizes onto one of the best roles in her long and distinguished career. At one point, Lisa leaves the stage in a petulant act of frustration. Stranded in front of the crowd, Ann is forced to ad lib, and Appel shines in a riveting and illuminating monologue.
“Well” is often frustrating to watch and its overt manipulations of theatrical conventions seem pretentious at times. But in a work like this, frustration is an appropriate response.
“Well” runs through July 13 at the Unicorn Theatre, 3828 Main St., Kansas City, Mo.
For information, call (816) 531-7529.
THEATER NOTES
The Heart of America Shakespeare Festival is currently in full swing with its 19th production, “Othello.” Performances are nightly at 8 p.m. through July 6 at Southmoreland Park, 7th and Oak streets, Kansas City, Mo. More information is available at www.kcshakes.org.