by Jess Hoffman
Harbinger Theater brings yet another regional premier to the New York Capital District with Mrs. Packard at The Albany Barn. Mrs. Packard tells the story of the real life Elizabeth Packard, who was sent to an insane asylum by her husband for disagreements over religion. The ensuing lawsuit between Elizabeth and her husband is woven into the play, and we see snippets from the trial in between scenes of Elizabeth in the asylum.
Mrs. Packard takes place in Civil War America, when medicine, psychiatry, and women’s legal rights were all dubious. It transports its audience back to a time and place where a woman could be institutionalized by her husband without any say and without having to be proven mentally unstable. And yet in 2023, it seems that Mrs. Packard’s desire to be heard and to express her own beliefs without being shunned or institutionalized is as relatable a story as ever.
The subject matter of this play is emotional enough, but Kathleen Carey’s impeccable portrayal of the titular Mrs. Packard makes this play one of the most powerful stage productions I have seen this year. Her Mrs. Packard is smart, stubborn, and eloquent, but still vulnerable at times. The audience sees her unwillingness to be dominated by her husband and his Calvinist dogma and sees her desperation to leave the asylum to be with her children–and thanks to Carey’s incredible emotional range and depth the audience is with her on every step of her emotional journey.
Mrs. Packards story is made all the more horrifying by an excellent supporting cast. Kerry Kazmierowicztrimm gives a nuanced and riveting performance as Dr. MacFarland, so that the audience sees him as a tragically misguided doctor with a genuine desire to help his patients and as an egotistical man whose inability to admit wrongdoing causes more harm than his medical expertise can do good. In a small but vital role as Mrs. Bonner, J.J. Paul commands the stage with a domineering presence and drill-sergeant voice perfect for her character. And all the actresses who play the asylum patients, even those with small parts and no lines, help create an aura of despair and desperation on the stage, aided by some excellent stage lighting (designed by Nick Nealson) that puts one in mind of any number of classic horror films.
Overall the costumes for this production are well done and appropriate for the characters, but unfortunately the protagonist’s dress was an ill-fit for the actress’s body and seemed too elaborate for the no-nonsense character of Mrs. Packard. This was a rare swing and a miss for costume designer Beth Ruman, whose costuming is usually flawless. But I must commend the attention to detail that seems to have gone into the various costumes for all of the minor characters, especially the witnesses in the Packard vs. Packard trial.
The Albany Barn is a challenging production space, and this show is not without problems in its overall staging. The scenes that take place inside the asylum are presented on the raised stage, and are excellent. But the use of floor-level space as additional stage space makes it hard for the audience to see everything that is happening. Because of this the trial scenes did not have the dramatic impact that they could have had if they had been staged in a way that didn’t obstruct the majority of the audience’s view.
But even with the problems presented by the staging area, Harbinger Theater’s production of Mrs. Packard is a powerful piece of theater presented by a talented cast and crew. This production shows that in the era of fourth-wave feminism, stories like Elizabeth Packard’s fight to be free, be herself, and be heard still resonate. Mrs. Packard at the Albany Barn is not to be missed!
Harbinger Theatre presents Mrs. Packard by Emily Man at The Albany Barn, 56 Second Street Albany, NY 12210. Directed by Chris Foster. Runs from December 7-16, 2023.Stage Manager: Lauren D’Annibale. Cast: Kathleen Carey as Mrs Elizabeth Packard, Monet Thompson-Young as 8th Ward Patient/Mrs. Tenney, Cindy Campbell as Mrs Chapman, Victoria Vine as Clerk/8th Ward Patient/Libby, John Quinan as Judge/Attendant/Mr. Dole/Dr. Duncanson/Trustee, Sara Paupini as Violent Lady, Jean Carney as 8th Ward Patient/Mrs. Dole, Tiffany McWilliams as 7th Ward Patient/Mrs. Dole, Tiffany McWilliams as 7th Ward Patient/Ms. Smith/8th Ward Patient/Mrs. Blessing, Richard Michael Roe as Rev. Theophilus Packard, Jennie Sinnott as Elegant Lady/Sarah Rumsey, Michael Schaefer as Dr. Brown/Mr. Blackman, Robin Leary as Mrs. Stockton, John Scala as Attendant/Mr. Moore/Trustee/Mr. LaBrie/Jury Foreman, J. J. Paul as Mrs. Bonner, Michael Gialanella as Mr. Haslett/Dr. Knott/Mr. Blessing, and Kerry Kazmierowicztrimm as Dr. MacFarland. Sound design by Joshua Horowitz. Lighting design by Nick Nealson. Light Ops by Kassidi Jarvis. Costume design by Beth Ruman.
Performances are Thursday-Saturday at 7:30pm. Tickets are $15 for general intermission. Runs approximately 2 hours with one intermission. Contains scenes of physical abuse and severe mental illness. Recommended for ages 13+. Tickets are available online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/741096869687, or at the door for any performance.