Sunday evening I took in Strange Snow, by Stephen Metcalfe, the third of the four plays that make up the Into The West Theatre Fest produced by Straydog Theatre Company of New York. Wow.
Strange Snow revolves around three characters, two Vietnam War survivors who lost a mutual friend in the war, Megs (Sean Tant) and David (Michael Goldlist), and David's sister Martha (Lauren Schacher).
The play explodes onto the stage when Megs assaults David and Martha's simple home at the crack of dawn, all fired up to go trout fishing. Sean Tant gives the character Megs a Mississippi accent, a good ol' boy bluntness at war with Southern manners, and the kind of nervous energy peculiar to folks who are used to staying one step ahead of their demons.
Martha is single, teaches biology, and serves as her brother's somewhat reluctant live-in housekeeper. Lauren Schacher imbues Martha with a palpable sexual and emotional tension to create a character at once sexy and frumpy and so uncomfortable in her own skin that her natural response is tentative.
David is on a self-destructive course fueled by alcohol and violence. Michael Goldlist saves him from being one-dimensional by projecting a subtle mix of emotions that encompass fear, pity, concern, scorn, and love.
Director Hamish Allan-Headley never loses control of the tempo, using Meg's energy and Martha's tension to move the story forward, through and around the violence lurking beneath David's presence.
It's a play about choices: living in your past failures or leading with your chin. Ninety minutes of laughter, with some tears, that leaves you wanting more. Highly recommended.
Darcie and I took the dinner and theatre package that starts with a lovely three-course meal at Blue Eyed Marys prior to the play and includes a shuttle that takes you directly from the restaurant to Tir-na-nOg's intimate 80-seat-theatre.
Maybe you missed the first two plays of the festival (Stage Door and The View).
Don't miss the last two: Strange Snow, July 13 through 17, and The Dreamer Examines His Pillow, July 20, 21 through 24, and 27 through 31.
Tickets are available at Phoenix, at the door, and online at straydogtheatrecompany.com.
TIM RHODES
Special to the Undercurrent
