Tom Ziegler’s folksy, feisty and warm-hearted drama, Grace & Glorie, is a deceptively simple story of opposites coming together while gaining new perspectives and navigating the delicate space where life meets death.
Curtain Call Theatre has a production directed by Sharon Hawthorne running at the Russian River Hall in Monte Rio through June 28.
The play is well written and packs a nice emotional punch, overcoming its more dated cultural references. It features two excellent (but comfortably predictable) characters, the dying Grace (Avilynn Pwyll) and the tenacious hospice care worker Gloria (Tina Woods), who endear themselves to the audience almost immediately.
Standouts of this production include the wonderful set by Jake Hamlin, with its homey Appalachian comforts (a wood stove, a water pump and lots of shabby details), and the vocal and physical work of actress Avilynn Pwyll as 90-year-old Grace, a devout woman with a sharp wit, full quips and sass.
Though Grace never learned to write, she’s endowed with humble country wisdom and harsh life lessons. She is staunchly set in her ways, even as she navigates her impending demise. Pwyll uses a lighter southern drawl to color Grace’s many stories. And though she’s abed much of the play, she conveys the pain of being ill quite effectively, finding life by using her eyes and mouth.
Sound design by Nick Charles was well chosen but also a bit too loud, often overwhelming the actors’ lines, especially the softer projections of Woods’ Glorie/Gloria. Woods finds her best moments when she’s actively listening to her scene partner.
In her more dramatic moments, and during a particularly poignant monologue by Glorie, Woods shouts and loses all her nuance. Whether this is an actor’s choice or a director’s choice, it unfortunately muted the full humanity of the character. However, both Woods and Pwyll share an easy camaraderie that is quite charming and believable.
Curtain Call is doing the work that feeds our (and their) societal need for art, work which is highly admirable. One might consider coming out and supporting these dedicated folks out at their beautiful little theater on the river. These are the types of groups where the performing bug usually strikes, especially in our more formative years, and Curtain Call Theatre is a true boon to our local theater community.
Curtain Call Theatre presents ‘Grace & Glorie’ through June 28 at the Russian River Hall, 20347 Hwy. 116, Monte Rio. Fri & Sat, 8pm; Sun, 2pm. $20-$75. 707.387.5072. russianriverhall.com.
I saw it last week and loved it!