Things Can Happen Out Where It’s “Deserted”
By Wes Hessel with Flo Mano
“Deserted”, by Melanie Coffey, had its world premiere at Redtwist Theater, directed by Laura Strum. Entering the long narrow theater, I was struck by the old wooden house on planks, with an unhinged screen door and windows on each side, part of Eric Luchen’s interesting set design. Meandering by the tarp covered raised rectangle container, I noticed a water pump, clothes line, and tin bucket, some of the apropos props by Leo Brassow.
As the play begins, a hiker walks through, and the lights go dark as if nightfall or daybreak. A married couple – Jodie (Macaria Chaparro Martinez) and Emma (Hannah McCauley) – breathe in the air of this vast space in the Midwest, at the house which belonged to Jodie’s grandmother. They have chosen to participate in the Prairie Program, so receiving a grant to cultivate this desolate farmland. In planter boxes they would be supplied soil, seed, and water to revive vegetation. And it’s only six miles away from a 7-11…
The administrator Cam (Sherise Daniel) comes often to tend to what they might require, water being a major need. There is also a peculiar “neighbor” (Emma Mansfield) who stalks at night, digging and eating the seeds and soil. Jodie has offered to share the harvest, but Emma is leery and jealous. They decide to sleep on the porch to keep watch. The interloper comes again, knife in hand, a fight breaks out, and blood is drawn. Then the hiker (Dontaye Albert) stumbles into this fray…
Seojung Jang’s lighting design adds to the mood of the play; the costume design and make-up by Natalie Schoch works well in this terrestrial human misery and environmental challenges. Strong performances by all; it is recommended if one is open to unconventional intrigue, but this land will be completely “Deserted” August 2nd, so please hurry to www.redtwisttheatre.org for tickets or more information.
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