by Macey Levin
Chester Theatre Company, Chester, Massachusetts, has built a reputation of producing provocative plays. Their most recent production of Unreconciled, workshopped and given its world premiere at Chester, is about to move to London. The current offering Will Sacrifice by Julie McKee is another premiere. It doesn’t match the success of Unreconciled.
The story takes place shortly after 9/11. Bridget (Catherine Lloyd Burns) and Nigel (Ken Cheeseman) have lived in the same small, cluttered studio apartment in Manhattan for the ten years of their marriage. She wants to buy a house in Upstate New York to live a quieter life and to have a home of their own. Despite having paltry savings, Bridget says they can pay for it because she has three jobs including being a poet. He will not leave the city. They quarrel. She goes north and after several sessions with a real estate agent, Mr. Sunshine, (Greg Stuhr) she buys a house on her own. Finally, Nigel reluctantly moves to a somewhat dilapidated cottage with her. After living there for six years he comes to enjoy his life and, especially learns to appreciate Bridget. Regrettably, he develops Alzheimer’s disease and passes away.
Ken Cheeseman as Nigel and Catherine Lloyd Burns as Bridget in Julie McKee’s “Will Sacrifice,” directed by Keira Naughton, at the Chester Theatre Company. Photo Andrew Greto. 
Ken Cheeseman as Nigel and Catherine Lloyd Burns as Bridget in Julie McKee’s “Will Sacrifice,” directed by Keira Naughton, at the Chester Theatre Company. Photo Andrew Greto. 
Ken Cheeseman as Nigel and Catherine Lloyd Burns as Bridget in Julie McKee’s “Will Sacrifice,” directed by Keira Naughton, at the Chester Theatre Company. Photo Andrew Gre 
Set by Travis George for Julie McKee’s “Will Sacrifice,” directed by Keira Naughton, at the Chester Theatre Company. Photo Andrew Greco 
The script and the production are problematic. Several times Bridget and Nigel refer to her having three jobs, but we are never told what the other two are along with her writing. There is a scene in which Bridget goes to a dentist (Mr. Stuhr.) Other than revealing Nigel’s fate, the scene is superfluous. Nigel was an actor, but we don’t know how successful he was. Bridget is an immigrant, probably from Ireland, but she doesn’t have an accent. We are never told what Bridget’s other two jobs are.
Director Keira Naughton, who has directed several other powerful shows at Chester, builds the relationships well, but several scenes exercise repetitive arguments so that they can’t develop a dramatic tone. This affects the emotional build of the play especially mitigating the impact of the last scene. Her staging of the piece is effective.
The set designed by Travis George is utilitarian, representing various locations with a minimal number of set pieces and props; however, some of the scene changes take an inordinate amount of time. Lara Dubin’s light design enhances the tone of each scene and the costumes by Deborah Brothers identify each of the characters’ personalties. Projections created by Matt Whiton set the mood for the opening of several of the scenes.
Perhaps if the play had been workshopped some of the rough spots could have been recognized and repaired.
It takes a great deal of courage for a small theatre to offer an untested play. Chester is to be commended for its dedication to playwrights and the theatre.
Will Sacrifice by Julie McKee; Director: Keira Naughton; Cast: Catherine Lloyd Burns (Bridget) Ken Cheeseman (Nigel) Greg Stuhr (Mr. Sunshine/Dentist); Scenic Design: Travis George; Projection Design: Matt Whiton; Costume Design: Deborah Brothers; Lighting Design: Lara Dubin; Sound Design: David Wiggall; Stage Manager: Alexis Wells; Assistant Stage Manager: Cori Strauss; Running time: 90 minutes, no intermission; July 25-August 4, 2024; For information call 413-354-7770 or visit www.chestertheatre.org