by Emily Edelman
In the first scene of the world premiere of “Pamela Palmer” by David Ives at Williamstown Theatre Festival, the title character has a premonition that she has done something horrible that she can’t remember and hires a private detective to discover what it is. Initially coming across as a whodunnit, the play features elements related to deja vu, various characters’ existential crises, and rather profound parallels to T.S. Eliot’s poem “The Waste Land.”
Tina Benko’s mastery of the intricacies of Pamela Palmer’s alternating bewilderment and acceptance of her situation is exciting to watch. Clark Gregg as the gruff, almost jaded Detective keeps the other characters grounded while communicating a hint of mystery of his own. Max Gordon Moore’s performance of the calm and reserved Husband whose unquestioning devotion to his wife results in his character’s undoing is excellent and heart-wrenching. Becky Ann Baker as the Mother acts as a sort of harbinger, her complicated and intense relationship with her daughter prompting as many questions as it answers.
Becky Ann Baker and Tina Benko in David Ives’ “Pamela Palmer,” directed by Walter Bobbie, at the Williamstown Theatre Festival. Photo Laurel Hinton. 
Tina Benko and Clark Gregg in David Ives’ “Pamela Palmer,” directed by Walter Bobbie, at the Williamstown Theatre Festival. Photo Laurel Hinton. 
Becky Ann Baker in David Ives’ “Pamela Palmer,” directed by Walter Bobbie, at the Williamstown Theatre Festival. Photo Laurel Hinton. 
Clark Gregg and Tina Benko in David Ives’ “Pamela Palmer,” directed by Walter Bobbie, at the Williamstown Theatre Festival. Photo Laurel Hinton. 
Clark Gregg and Tina Benko in David Ives’ “Pamela Palmer,” directed by Walter Bobbie, at the Williamstown Theatre Festival. Photo Laurel Hinton. 
Maz Gordon Moore in David Ives’ “Pamela Palmer,” directed by Walter Bobbie, at the Williamstown Theatre Festival. Photo Laurel Hinton. 
Max Gordon Moore and Clark Gregg in David Ives’ “Pamela Palmer,” directed by Walter Bobbie, at the Williamstown Theatre Festival. Photo Laurel Hinton. 
Tina Benko in David Ives’ “Pamela Palmer,” directed by Walter Bobbie, at the Williamstown Theatre Festival. Photo Laurel Hinton. 
Under Walter Bobbie’s direction, the performers’ navigation of Alexander Woodward’s upscale living-room set is almost dance-like while they engage each other in verbal altercations. The subtleties in Benko’s body language, especially the way she uses her hands, goes a long way in showing both her confusion and sense of having approached all of these moments at a previous time. The consistency in Amber Roberge’s costumes adds to the idea that much (all?) of this has happened before.
Laughter abounds due to the easy melding of Ives’ signature witty dialog with Bobbie’s physical positioning, a product of the two being longtime collaborators. As unsettling as the subject matter is, much satisfaction is found in the cast’s dynamic performances, as well as their ease and comfort with the text and each other.
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Playwright: David Ives. Director: Walter Bobbie. Cast: Becky Ann Baker, Tina Benko, Clark Gregg, Max Gordon Moore. Scenic design: Alexander Woodward. Costume design: Amanda Roberge. Lighting design: Landon K. Elder. Composition/sound design: Dan Moses Schreier. Production stage manager: Robbie Armstrong III. Assistant stage managers: Sophia Shafiuzzaman, Kelley Lynne Moncrief.