by Macey Levin
Melinda Buckley has brought the humor and poignancy of her life with her often difficult mother to Bridge Street Theatre’s SoloFest in Catskill, New York. Buckley, who is a professional actress, choreographer and director, has written and performed this one-woman, one-act play several times; her stage sense and humanity create a polished and affecting theatrical experience.
Buckley’s mother, Ilusha, was born in Hungary; ultimately she and her husband, an American soldier, arrived in America, but their relationship was problematic almost from the very beginning. When she was a teen-ager Melinda saw her father for the last time as he packed his bags to leave the family. Throughout most of her life she bore the brunt of responsibility for Mom since her brother was not as compassionate as she was. Melinda was the chosen one with whom Ilusha bonded and vicariously lived a more rewarding life by controlling Melinda’s dreams for herself.
Though she was a difficult woman and could be erratic, Melinda idolized this glamorous exotic creature. Ilusha seemingly encouraged Melinda‘s love of dancing and paid for lessons, but she was too self-involved to take pride in her daughter’s accomplishments. Buckley takes the audience on a wild ride as she describes their life together and the struggles to separate herself from her mother’s smothering personality. Into this complex mother/daughter relationship with its demands and disappointments, the inexorable shadow of dementia creates an almost unendurable pressure on Melinda’s already over-extended life.
The play is not as dark as it may seem. The stage is bare except for a high-backed stool, a screen for slides all the way upstage, and Buckley. She sings, dances and cavorts as she relates the many relationships she juggles while trying to live her own life as an actress and newlywed. There are several scenes that are pure hilarious shtick. Buckley brings life to several characters including her mother (accent and all), brother, husband and various other personages. Each one has a definitive personality. When the story tends to become uncomfortable, Buckley injects her wicked and fast-paced humor to take the edge off the moment. She holds the stage by the power of her personality and enormous talent.
Buckley is abetted by the original director of the production, Kimberly Senior. Where Buckley has written scenes of broad comedy, Senior wisely has not allowed them to become too big except for a racetrack scene that is beautifully over-the-top. In contrast, the somber scenes are done with deeply-moving sensitivity.
This is a tour de force by a highly talented and engaging actress. You may find yourself crying through side-splitting laughter.
Note: after the performance a question and answer session was held with Ms. Buckley and a representative from the Alzheimer’s Association. There were interesting questions from the audience and insightful responses from the speakers. Perhaps the most startling information was that there are ninety forms of dementia and that Alzheimer’s is only one.
Bridge Street Theatre, located at 44 West Bridge Street in Catskill, NY, presented “MOTHER (and me)” written and performed by Melinda Buckley, directed by Kimberly Senior, from March 17-19, 2023. Production Stage Manager: Kiara Vedovino; Running time: 80 minutes, no intermission.
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Bridge Street Theatre’s SoloFest is a month-long program (having started the first weekend in March and continuing through the last weekend) features solo performances on Friday and Saturday evenings and a Sunday matinee. The first two The Village Cidiot and Mother (and me) The remaining plays are listed below.
March 24 – 26
SPINNING MY WHEELS
Written and performed by Michael Garfield Levine
Directed by Caitlin Langstaff
This roller coaster of a ride takes us from the streets and theaters of New York to the hills of Vermont, into the depths of Michael’s psyche as he battles mental illness and addiction, and back up to sanity whilst encountering a host of unsavory and masterful characters.
March 31 – April 2
ALONE: STORIES FROM EDGAR ALLAN POE
Created and performed by Daniel Hall Kuhn
The horror, the horror! Poems and tales from America’s master of the macabre come thrillingly to life in this one-man show created and performed by an actor BST audiences will recognize from LEWISTON and SHELLEY’S SHADOW.
Fridays &Saturdays at 7:30 P.M.
Sundays at 2:00 P.M.
Tickets at BridgeStreetTheatre.org